Category: Landscaping

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Landscape Design

There are 3 common mistakes we see homeowners make when planning their landscape design on their own – not considering your climate, drainage/irrigation, and maintenance requirements. To save you time, money, and frustration, we get into it here.

Outdoor Design Ideas with Texas Native Plants & Hardscapes

Enhance your outdoor living experience with native plant landscaping and hardscaping ideas in Central Texas. Learn how to incorporate limestone retaining walls, flagstone patios, granite walkways, and sandstone water features into your design.

How to Break up the Monotony of Working From Home

Chances are good you or someone you know works from home. The pandemic left a permanent mark on American society with many employees forced to work remotely, and now doing so happily, and voluntarily. But working from home has its drawbacks. One – it can become monotonous when you’re stuck in the same space for hours on end.

One way to break up the monotony is to create an outdoor work or living space. When you work and live at home, it’s helpful to create different spaces to break up your day. Create individual spaces for regular routines and rituals like: your morning coffee, checking emails, planning, research, and an afternoon break.
Plus, more time outdoors has proven health benefits like
  • Improving your mood
  • Improving energy levels
  • Relieving stress
  • Resting your eyes and brain
  • Enhancing memory

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Set up an Outdoor Office

Consider setting up an outdoor office space where you can work in the fresh air and natural light. Invest in a sturdy outdoor table and chair set, and make sure you have access to a power source if you need it. If you’re worried about the elements, invest in a sunshade or outdoor umbrella to provide some shade.

But what could you do with an outdoor workspace? 

  • Take calls and host coaching sessions
  • Check emails
  • Laptop work
  • Writing and editing

Create a Cozy Seating Area

If you have a patio or deck, add some comfortable outdoor furniture, like a sectional, lounge chairs, or even a hammock, to create a cozy seating area. You can also add a fire pit or outdoor heater to keep you warm during chilly days or nights. This will create a relaxing atmosphere and provide a change of scenery from your indoor workspace.

  • Create a “thinkery” for meditation and brainstorming
  • Invite your coworkers for a meeting or lunch
  • Entertain and socialize after hours

 

Install an Outdoor Kitchen

Take your lunch outside! Consider installing an outdoor kitchen, which can include a grill, sink, and storage space. Cooking outside can provide a break from indoor cooking, and it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors. You can also add a bar area and outdoor refrigerator to make your outdoor space feel like a second living room. Enjoy the fresh air, a more enjoyable break, and an easier cleanup.

Create a Garden Space

Supercharge your creativity and productivity. Creating a garden space is a great way to transform your backyard into an oasis. A variety of plants and flowers adds color and texture to your outdoor space, and your mindset. You can also add a small vegetable garden or herb garden, which can provide fresh produce for your meals. Being surrounded by greenery and nature can also help you feel more relaxed and refreshed. Which is proven to improve productivity. We work best when we’re less stressed!

Aromas like Jasmine, Rose, Geranium, and Lavender, in addition to many others, can go a long way to refresh your mind and arrest body fatigue.

II. Gardens at Verde Vista, Georgetown, TX

Add some water features

Adding a water feature, like a fountain, pond, or small waterfall, can create a relaxing atmosphere and provide a soothing sound. Water features can also attract birds and other wildlife, which can be a great distraction from work. Just make sure to maintain and clean the water feature regularly to prevent any unwanted pests or bacteria.

What can you really get done outside?

  • Phone calls (use your earbuds to help with ambient noise)
  • Host meetings or brainstorming sessions
  • Write or draw
  • Anything you do on a laptop
  • Make a plan: whiteboard + stand = mobile planning station
  • Take a break!

Transforming your backyard into an outdoor living space can provide a much-needed break from the monotony of working and living in the same place. By creating a cozy seating area, installing an outdoor kitchen, creating a garden space, setting up an outdoor office, and adding some water features, you can create an oasis that will help you feel more relaxed and refreshed and be more productive.

 

Contact us here to get on our calendar for your complimentary landscape design consultation today. It’s that time of year, space fills up quickly!

We proudly serve Austin and its greater metropolitan areas including Liberty Hill, Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Salado, Bertram, and Lago Vista!

Landscaping for New Homeowners: The Benefits of Professional Landscape Design and Construction in Texas

Moving into a new home is an exciting experience, and customizing the landscape design to fit your family’s needs and style is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process. But any Texan can tell you there are a few things you should know and options to consider when building a new home and installing landscaping in Texas – like the occasional rock; indigenous, water-friendly plants; and outdoor living options, because we can! With an abundance of natural elements to work around or integrate, and a variety of options on the table, professional landscape designers are often the best option to help you make the right choices for your property and to meet the needs of your lifestyle.

A Finished Look

Get a Custom Landscape Design for a Finished Property When You Move In
One of the primary benefits of hiring a professional landscaping contractor for your new home is the ability to have a finished landscape design. Why let the feeling of “we’re finally home” be tainted by remnants of construction (and the reminder of work to come) lining the driveway? A custom home deserves a custom landscape design. This can ensure your outdoor spaces are both functional and beautiful, like an extension of your home. A professional contractor can help you create an outdoor living area that meets all of your needs. Because it’s where core memories are made, whether you’re entertaining guests to enjoying family time together.
Travisso, Leander, TX
Personalized to Your Needs
Every family is unique, and so are their needs when it comes to outdoor living. A professional landscape designer will work with you to create a customized outdoor space that is tailored to your lifestyle. This includes factors such as the size of your family, your outdoor activities, and your personal style preferences. Think outside the box! Your home is where you live.
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kid zones
  • Training areas
  • Host of the party
  • Outdoor kitchens
  • Golf greens
  • Poolside landscaping
  • Zen and meditation gardens
  • Outdoor workspaces
Gardens at Verde Vista, Georgetown, TX
Gardens at Verde Vista, Georgetown, TX
Gardens at Verde Vista, Georgetown, TX

Functional Designs

Functional for Family and Friends
Your outdoor space can be much more than just a pretty lawn and garden. With the right design and construction, it can serve as a functional living space for hosting family and friends. This includes features such as outdoor kitchens, fire pits, seating areas, and even swimming pools. A professional contractor can help you make the most of your outdoor space and create a space that you will be proud to show off.
Backyard patio extension and firepit
Year-Round Landscape Design Trends
Living in Texas means that you can enjoy outdoor activities almost all year round. A professional landscaping contractor can help you create a design that is suitable for all seasons. This includes features such as patio heaters, outdoor fireplaces, and even outdoor fans to keep you cool in the hot summer months.
Complement the Home’s Design Aesthetic
Your landscape design should complement your home’s style and design aesthetic. A professional landscaping contractor can help you select the right plants, flowers, and hardscape features to create a cohesive look that enhances your home’s curb appeal. This will not only make your home more beautiful but also increase its overall value.

Money-Wise Landscaping

Get a Higher Return on Your Investment
Investing in a professional landscape design and build company is a wise decision when it comes to water usage, property value, and getting the most from your initial investment. A professional contractor can help you design a landscape that uses water wisely and is sustainable in the long term. And can help balance concepts like xeriscaping, indigenous plants, and your unique preferences. They can also help you select the right plants and features that will increase your property value and provide a high return on investment.
Natural stone walkways and sideyard landscape design

If you’ve recently moved to Texas and are looking for a professional landscaping contractor, look no further. Our team of experts can help you create a custom landscape design that is personalized to your needs, functional, and beautiful. From outdoor living spaces to hardscape features, irrigation, landscape lighting, and construction crews, we can help you create the outdoor living space of your dreams. Contact us today to learn more about our landscape design and build services.

Serving Austin and its greater areas including Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Marble Falls, Burnet, and Salado, Texas

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autumn trees in Texas, titled "Design Trends and Ideas: Preparing Your Texas Yard for Fall" by Best of Texas Landscapes

How To Prepare Your Texas Yard For Fall

It may seem hard to believe that winter weather is right around the corner. This unseasonably hot summer has us thinking it will never end. But it’s coming! Take advantage of the nice days we have remaining to work on the must-do list we’ve put together for your lawn and garden ready for what Mother Nature has in store. 

In the first of our three-part fall prep series, we’re breaking down how to give your lawn some love!

  • Fall is the optimal time to fertilize cool season grasses and is essential for a lush, green lawn in the spring. As the weather cools down, your grass is recovering from the stressors of summer. Heat, drought (When was the last time it rained?), and disease take their toll. Providing it with a good fertilizer will boost your lawn’s stamina to better survive the cold months ahead. Nitrogen promotes growth and green, phosphorus supports root development and potassium serves to protect against cold, insects, and disease.
  • If bare spots on your lawn are an issue, over-seeding is the solution. The best time to over-seed is typically six to eight weeks before the first hard freeze to develop a strong root system. Here in Central Texas, that might be closer to December than October! The Farmer’s Almanac is a great resource for keeping an eye on weather trends.
  • Falling leaves are certainly a beautiful sight during the autumn season, but the mess they create is anything but! Thick layers of wet leaves become compacted and can cause disease and suffocate the grass underneath. Get ahead of the game by raking, using a leaf blower, or mulching the leaves with your lawn mower. This can be a fun family activity as well, rake all the leaves into a pile and let the kids jump into them! Then bag them up or put them into your composter.
  • It’s important to continue to water and mow your lawn in the fall. The last couple of mows of the season, drop the blade on your mower (no more than 1/3rd the height of the grass blades). By lowering the height of the grass, you allow the sun to reach the crown of the grass resulting in less browning and mold in the winter. Make sure to abide by your area’s watering schedule or you can always hand water while enjoying the cooler evening temperatures.

There's a lot of work to be done to get ready for the frosty temperatures heading our way in the not-so-distant future. Take advantage of a nice day here and there to check these things off your list before your landscape settles down for its long winter’s nap. Be sure to come back next month for our next installment on preparing your Texas yard for colder months.

Don’t have a sprinkler system in place yet? Give us a call to schedule your FREE in-person consultation at (512)260-1430.