Landscaping

The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Top Dressing

Should you do fall top dressing in Austin?

By The Top Choice Team / October 15, 2024

It’s that time of year again when the Top Choice crews fly over Austin to sprinkle their magic pixie dust over the lawns of our favorite customers.  That’s right, it’s time for top dressing! Top Dressing adds a light layer of top-quality soil to your yard to help build a healthy, nutrient base for your…

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Washers and Horseshoes

By The Top Choice Team / September 17, 2024

Let’s talk about yard games. I love them. Obsessed.  If I am at a wedding reception and there is corn hole or washers…my wife knows that she is pretty much on her own for the rest of the party. (I know this is not good…sometimes I am actually a good husband).  Top Choice is now…

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Fall Yard Tips for Texas

By The Top Choice Team / September 17, 2024

Why is Fall so important for my yard?  Fall is is such an important time of year for your yard. Most people think of spring as the time to add plants, flowers, and to make the world a little greener. Fall is a great time to plant – and in Austin – it may even…

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5 Best Shade Trees for Austin

By The Top Choice Team / September 4, 2024

Best Shade Trees for Austin Texas Here are 5 of the best shade trees in Austin and Central Texas. It is hard to say that one is better than another, it really depends on the micro-climate and your specific needs. This is meant to be a quick overview. If you want more information, we are…

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What to know about xeriscaping

By Nolan Gore / August 27, 2024

What is it? Why would you xeriscape part/all of your yard? What are the best plants for xeriscaping in Central Texas? What are common mistakes and misconceptions What are some common landscaping materials used in xeriscaping? What are several areas I should consider xeriscaping in my yard? What should I consider with xeriscaping? Some of our…

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Top 10 Plants for Xeriscaping in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / August 27, 2024

1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) Type: ShrubSun Requirements: Full sunWatering Requirements: Drought-tolerant once established; requires minimal wateringMature Size: Typically reaches a height of 3-8 feet with a similar spread Fun Facts: 2. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) Type: PerennialSun Requirements: Full sunWatering Requirements: Highly drought-tolerant; minimal watering once establishedMature Size: Typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet with a…

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Is rain water better for our landscape than irrigation water?

By Nolan Gore / July 30, 2024

It is all just water, right? Turns out – not all water is created equal. Rainwater is actually better for your landscape than irrigation water. Yes – you heard me correctly. Water from the sky is better for your lawn, plants, lawn gnomes and trees than the water from your pipes. Before I explain why…irrigation…

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Texas Live Oak: Quercus fusiformis and Quercus Virginiana

By Nolan Gore / July 15, 2024

What are the differences between the Quercus Virginiana and Quercus Fusiformus? These are two species of trees that are very closely related. In fact, the Fusiformus used to be considered a variance of the Virginiana but is now considered its own species. You ca

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How to retain water in your landscape

By Nolan Gore / June 27, 2024

Despite consistent watering, your grass and plants are likely showing the strain of a long, hot Austin summer. What can you do? Luckily we’ve still got a few tricks up our sleeves to retain water — saving whatever moisture we can so your ground and plants don’t dry up. 1. Don’t waste water: inspect your irrigation…

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Why Do You Need Mulch?

By Nolan Gore / June 20, 2024

Why do you need mulch in your flower beds? Especially here in Austin? To answer this question I went through several possible acronyms to describe why you need mulch. I ended up with… SIPS! (PISS didn’t seem like it was appropriate – though it may have been more memorable). Here’s why you need high-quality, native,…

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