Landscaping

The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Should you do fall top dressing in Austin?

By The Top Choice Team / September 15, 2026

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…

Top 10 Plants for Xeriscaping in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / August 31, 2026

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…

What to know about xeriscaping

By Nolan Gore / August 31, 2026

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…

Fall Planting in Texas

By The Top Choice Team / August 25, 2026

Most people think of spring as the time to add plants and flowers, and make the world a little greener.  Fall is also a great time to plant – and in Austin, it may even be the best time to plant. Why is Fall the best time to plant? (Answer = Root development) Our worst weather is the brutal, long, dry…

Oak Wilt FAQ

By Nolan Gore / June 2, 2026

We know you care about your yard, and especially your trees, so we thought we would pass along… It’s tree-trimming season! Across Central Texas, HOAs, municipalities, and well-meaning neighbors will yell at you if you trim oaks in the spring. Why? Because February-June has the highest likelihood of spreading oak wilt. The good news? We’re…

How to use rock and stone in your landscape

By Nolan Gore / May 26, 2026

So you want to use rock and stone in your landscape. You might be wondering… Function and Beauty – that’s always the goal with our landscaping. Sometimes you have to settle for one of the two (function OR beauty), but we always want to shoot for both if possible. Let’s take a look at a…

What Does Mulch Taste Like? (And 11 Other Questions We Get All the Time)

By Nolan Gore / May 5, 2026

Short Version (For the Busy Homeowner) 1. So… What Does Mulch Taste Like? It tastes like responsible landscaping. But also… I’ve actually taken a bite of mulch before. Don’t ask me why. It tastes exactly like you’d expect: A dirty tree branch. That’s nasty. Just take it from me—you don’t need to do it yourself.…

How to retain water in your landscape

By Nolan Gore / April 16, 2026

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…

5 Best Shade Trees for Austin

By The Top Choice Team / March 3, 2026

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…

Our Top Evergreen Shrubs for Texas Lawns

By The Top Choice Team / March 3, 2026

Spring is when most landscapes wake up. It’s also when gaps become obvious. If you’re looking for structure and consistent color, evergreen shrubs do the heavy lifting. Many perform well in Central Texas—if you choose the right ones. Heat tolerance, drought resistance, and soil adaptability matter here. Below are ten evergreen shrubs that consistently perform…