Category: Lawn Care

Everything You Need to Know About Synthetic Turf for Residential Homes

A lush, green lawn can transform the appearance of your home. And in neighborhoods in the Liberty Hill, Texas area like Morning Star, Santa Rita, or Cimarron Hills, anything less can mean hefty HOA fines. If you’re considering installing synthetic turf for your home, you’re on the path to a beautiful and functional outdoor space. Below, we’ll explore the various artificial grass options available, what to expect during installation, and the essential maintenance requirements to keep your lawn looking pristine year-round.

closeup golf ball on mini golf course putting green in backyard of Georgetown, Texas home

Synthetic Turf Options

Synthetic turf comes in various styles and materials. Here are some popular options:

  1. Nylon Turf:
    • Durable and resilient, nylon turf is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
    • Its strong fibers withstand wear and tear over time.
  2. Polyethylene Turf:
    • Polyethylene turf is known for its natural look and soft texture.
    • It’s a great choice for creating a realistic grass-like appearance.
  3. Polypropylene Turf:
    • Polypropylene turf is budget-friendly and suitable for low-traffic areas.
    • It may not have the same level of durability as other materials but offers a cost-effective solution.

 

Are you looking to build a rec/practice zone for your athlete? Residents in the Liberty Hill area know we love our football and the most commonly used artificial grass for football fields is often referred to as “FieldTurf” – best known for its durability, shock absorption, and low maintenance requirements.

backyard landscape design with zen garden elements, pergola, and outdoor sculpture

Installing Turf At Your Home

Installing synthetic turf requires careful planning and execution. Here’s what you can expect during the installation process:

  1. Site Preparation:
    • Clear the area of existing vegetation, rocks, and debris.
    • Grade the soil to ensure proper drainage and a level surface.
    • Install a weed barrier fabric to prevent weed growth.
  2. Turf Installation:
    • Roll out the synthetic turf and secure it in place with stakes or adhesive.
    • Trim the edges for a clean and precise fit.
    • Add infill material (typically sand or rubber granules) to support the turf’s structure and improve its longevity.
  3. Maintenance During Installation:
    • Keep foot traffic to a minimum during the installation process to prevent damage.
    • Ensure proper infill distribution for even coverage.

 

Turf can be incorporated in a range of landscape designs for your front and backyard. We can even integrate artificial grass into a patio extension to add warmth, texture, and dimension to an otherwise plain concrete structure. New homes in the Liberty Hill, Texas area are often built with little more than a 5×7 slab for a back porch. A new patio extension can be an exciting part of your landscape design with the right elements to complement the overall style of your yard and home.

Backyard patio extension with turf squares and landscaped edge behind a white house
Turf Squares overlayed on large concrete patio extension with landscaping along edges behind a white house

Maintenance Requirements for Synthetic Turf

Maintaining your synthetic turf is relatively straightforward. Artificial grass requires far less effort compared to natural grass. Here are essential maintenance tasks:

  1. Regular Brushing:
    • Brush the turf fibers regularly to keep them upright and maintain a natural appearance.
    • Remove leaves and debris to prevent them from accumulating.
  2. Occasional Rinsing:
    • Rinse the turf occasionally to remove dust and pollen.
    • Use a mild detergent and water solution for more thorough cleaning when necessary.
  3. Avoidance of Heavy Objects:
    • Avoid placing heavy objects or furniture on the turf for extended periods to prevent compression.
  4. Repair Tears or Damage:
    • Patch or repair any tears or damage promptly to prevent further issues.
    • Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for repair procedures.
  5. Pest and Weed Control:
    • While synthetic turf is less susceptible to pests and weeds, monitor and address any issues promptly.
  6. Seasonal Care:
    • Adjust your maintenance routine based on the changing seasons and weather conditions.
    • Periodically inspect the infill material and top up if needed.

Installing and maintaining synthetic turf for your Liberty Hill area home can provide you with a lush, green lawn that enhances your property’s beauty and value, all while requiring less upkeep than natural grass. And help you avoid those pesky HOA fines for brown/dead grass. By choosing the right synthetic turf material, following proper installation procedures, and consistently caring for your artificial lawn, you can enjoy a vibrant and hassle-free outdoor space year-round. With these guidelines in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning, functional, and well-maintained synthetic turf lawn that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

See more of our landscape designs with turf in our gallery.

Serving Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and Cedar Park, Texas areas.

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graphic with turf in background and text overlay that reads, Eco-Friendly Landscapes: Drought tolerant Landscaping and Grass Alternatives

Drought Tolerant Landscaping: Tips for Central Texas Homeowners

Texas’ natural fauna as well as modern advancements, offer a lot of opportunities for drought tolerant landscaping in central Texas. Maintaining a green, lush lawn during the summers can be a challenging endeavor. With the added stress of a drought and low water tables in Leander, Liberty Hill, and Georgetown, it can feel nearly impossible. But worry not, we’re going to cover grass alternatives and essential tips to nurture your lawn throughout the year, without wasting water.

Understanding Your Grass and Watering Needs

Different grass types have varied water needs. Whether you have Bermuda or St. Augustine grass, understanding their specific requirements can go a long way in maintaining a green lawn with efficient water usage. For instance, Bermuda grass can thrive on 1 to 1.4 inches of water weekly, while St. Augustine grass requires around 1 inch of water every week during the growing season, and even less in its dormant phase.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping Tips: Grass Goes Dormant

WHEN BROWN DOESN’T MEAN DEAD

Seeing your grass turn brown can be disheartening, but fear not! Brown grass is often just dormant, conserving energy to bounce back in more favorable conditions. Learn to recognize the signs of dormancy to avoid over-watering and foster a resilient lawn that can withstand both drought and cold conditions.

 

TIME IT RIGHT

Timing your watering schedule correctly can save a lot of water. Early mornings are generally the best times to water your lawn to prevent evaporation loss and avoid fungal growth. However, as we approach colder months, consider adjusting your watering schedule to suit the changing climate. The easiest way to make sure you’re watering in an eco-friendly way is to invest in a smart sprinkler system like Rain Bird.

 

LAWN CARE FOR COLDER MONTHS

Winter is a time of rest for your lawn. Consider the following tips to prepare your lawn for colder months:

 

  1. Winter Irrigation: Adjust your irrigation system to water less frequently, as the grass’s water needs decrease during the colder months.
  2. Protecting Plants: Ensure to protect your plants from frost by using protective covers during extremely cold nights.
  3. Leaf Removal: Regularly remove leaves and other debris to prevent disease and pests from harboring in your lawn.
landscape design along breezeway of modern home with gray gravel rock and Texas-native plants
backyard surrounded by trees with raised area for in-ground pool surrounded by turf

Grass Alternatives: Turf for Residential Homes

One of the best moves for drought tolerant landscaping and pesky water restrictions is turf. It’s the best grass alternative and totally beats spray painting your lawn. Installing synthetic turf is a great, long-term solution for many reasons. And is very popular among Leander and Liberty Hill area homeowners. Here’s why:
  1. Year-Round Green: Turf remains green all year round, giving a consistently lush appearance to your lawn.
  2. Low Maintenance: Unlike natural grass, turf requires minimal maintenance, saving time and water.
  3. Durability: Turf is designed to withstand heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions, proving to be a durable alternative.

 

CLICK HERE for watering restriction updates from the city of Leander, Texas

CLICK HERE for watering restriction updates from the city of Liberty Hill, Texas

A water-wise lawn is not just about conservation; it’s about fostering a landscape that is resilient, beautiful, and attuned to the central Texas climate. With the right strategies in place, you can ensure a happy, healthy garden all year round.

Serving greater Austin areas including Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and Cedar Park.

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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.

Winter: The Ideal Time to Plan Your Next Landscape Project

After surveying your yard, you realize your landscape is looking a little drab and could use a makeover. You do your research, check out some online designs, and are ready to schedule your next landscaping project! So, of course, it makes perfect sense to wait until the spring to get started right? Wrong.

But why is that? Well, because other residents in the greater Austin area are thinking that too. Many people consider spring to be the ideal time for their landscaping projects, but it’s actually quite the opposite. The truth is, if you want to enjoy your new outdoor area to the fullest, your project planning needs to be started in early winter.

Spring is the busiest and craziest time of year for landscape companies. You want to know you can have everything you’d like included in your final design, and if there are any issues with your original choices, you’ll want ample time to make the necessary changes.

At Best of Texas Landscapes, we recommend that our clients begin planning out their new landscape project during the winter for several important reasons.

1. Scheduling ahead of time ensures your job can be completed sooner

As previously stated, the spring rush is the peak season for lawn and landscape companies across the country. Think Black Friday but with more flowers and less pushing and shoving.

The goal is to be able to enjoy your new landscape by next spring, so you don't want to have your job pushed back or started too late. If you try scheduling your landscape project for after winter, you could end up at the end of a very long waitlist.

Skip the line by planning ahead in the winter. The sooner you set up a consultation to speak with one of our landscape designers, the earlier we can start and finish the project so your landscape is one of the first ones completed for the spring season!

2.Inspecting, analyzing, and troubleshooting landscape issues is easier in the winter

While walking around your property you or the landscapers may realize, upon closer inspection, that there are one or more issues with your outdoor space. It's nothing to be worried about, but it is important that any problems are addressed before getting started on your new landscape design.

Since most plants and softscapes have almost no foliage during the colder months, it makes it easier to diagnose common landscape issues with:

 

We can help amend these problems earlier, which in turn saves you money on future repairs and maintenance that you would've had to pay for later on if these landscape issues had gone unnoticed.

3. More softscape and planting options are available when Spring arrives!

Limited supplies of annual flowers and other plantings are probably one of the biggest issues you'll run into by planning your landscape project for the spring. Nurseries always sell out of seasonal plants the fastest since everyone wants to redo their landscapes and flower beds at the same time.

If you want to guarantee that certain plants and softscapes will be available for your design, you shouldn't delay your project until the spring. Our team will have plenty of time to put an order in so they arrive in time for the season.

4. Winter provides ample time to plan for your next landscape project

Some people often have more free time during this time of year. Use that time wisely to plan out your landscape project and consider all that you'd like added to your outdoor living space. There are so many elements that can be incorporated into your design. We find that many of our clients love to include these landscape features in their projects:

landscape design with outdoor seating of natural rock and tiered raised plant beds

Beat everyone in your neighborhood to the punch by planning your landscape project in the winter so it’s fully installed and in bloom by the Spring!

Don't make the common mistake of waiting until spring to start designing your landscape project. Every outdoor living space is different, so we like to be detailed about every client's job to ensure the best and most efficient service possible.

 

Get ahead of the curve by calling Best of Texas Landscapes at (512) 260-1430. Our crew can design and install a beautiful landscape for your home or business in the greater Austin area that fits your desired images and ideas!

Part 3: Clean, Cover, and Winterize

Part 3: Preparing Your Yard for Fall

Taking the time now to prep your lawn and garden for winter will ensure a beautiful start to spring. It may seem hard to believe that frosty weather is right around the corner. The host of rain and colder temps we’ve been experiencing lately trick us into thinking it’s already here. But there are sunny and warmer days ahead! Take advantage of the few nice days we have left to get working on the must-do list we’ve put together to get your lawn and garden ready for what Mother Nature has in store.

In this final part of our three-part fall prep series, we’re giving you the details on cleaning, covering, and winterizing.

Part 2: Preparing Your Yard for Fall

  • Leaving soil in pots over the winter can cause them to crack. Remove it from your pots and scrub them clean with a water and bleach solution – nine parts water to one part bleach. Store in a protected area—empty water cans and a place where they can’t collect rainwater.
  • Water features need some attention. Drain smaller water features such as fountains and store the pump in the garage or shed. Turn off your irrigation system, and set automatic timers to the off mode. Arrange to have the lines blown out to prevent them from freezing and damaging your system. Find irrigation resources for Rain Bird ESP TM2 and Rain Bird ESP ME here as well as more information on how to winterize your system.
  • Drain garden hoses and store them inside for the winter. Freezing water can cause damage and create leaks. Thoroughly rinse out grass seed and fertilizer spreaders.
  • Garden tools will last longer if you take good care of them. Wash off dirt and grime. Use linseed oil on wooden handles to prevent cracking. Sharpen blades on shovels, hedge trimmers, and pruning tools.
  • Empty the gas tank in your lawn mower and trimmer. Give your mower an oil change. Check air filters, and spark plugs, replacing them if needed. Clean off grass and grime on power equipment. Remove blades and sharpen them for a fresh start in the spring.

As you can see, there is 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 lovely day here and there to check these things off your list before your landscape settles down for its long winter’s nap.

Want help designing a new landscape for Spring or installing an irrigation system? Give us a call at (512) 260-1430 to schedule your FREE in-person consultation.