Category: Lawn Care

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.

Are Landscape Remodels Worth the Investment?

By Alicia Witt  |  5/27/22

Like many of us, spending more time at home has probably given you the sudden urge to change your surroundings. You’ve repainted the bedroom walls, hung up some new pictures, and rearranged your furniture one too many times. With summer weather here, and no more indoor space to spruce up, you’ve set your sights on larger grounds: your outdoor space.

Suddenly many great ideas are coming to you – the patio and poolside can use an upgrade and a firepit would be nice. And while you’re at it, why not add an outdoor kitchen since that’s most likely where you’ll be spending the majority of your time? All of these additions seem really tempting, up until you look up pricing. You’re probably starting to wonder: is remodeling a landscape really worth the investment? In this article, we’ll go over a few reasons why a landscape renovation is more than worth it. Let’s get started!

Why remodel your outdoor space?

Aside from the obvious and much-needed change of scenery, there are many great reasons to invest in renovating your landscape: 

Quality of Life

Creating a beautiful outdoor space can have a significant impact on your quality of life and mental wellbeing. According to a 2018 study conducted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 85% of homeowners reported a greater desire to be home after completing their project, 78% reported feeling an increased sense of enjoyment when at home, and 79% reported a major sense of accomplishment when thinking about their project. 

Other studies have also found that spending time outdoors surrounded by nature can reduce stress, decrease blood pressure and increase memory and attention. Simply put, a well-designed landscape remodel will bring you happiness, something that we can all use a little bit of and that is priceless!

Family Living

Are the kids growing up much faster than expected? Or maybe you couldn’t resist bringing home one more puppy. It happens to the best of us. Instead of shopping for a larger home to accommodate your growing brood, why not renovate your backyard for some extra living space? When going this route, you should start by defining the areas you’d like to see in your yard.

Do you want to keep your vegetable garden? Do you want to add a space for entertaining family and friends? Do you have or want a pool with a lounging space? Can you easily keep an eye on your kids and pets from your patio? Properly planning your backyard remodel will ensure that you maximize your space and create a living environment that can be enjoyed by all for years to come. 

Home Resale Value

Something often overlooked when performing any renovation is how it may increase the resale value of your home. Improving our living environment is nice, but wouldn’t it be great to also see a monetary return on investment?

As with most things in life, first impressions matter, and the façade of your home is no different. According to 99% of NAR members, your home’s curb appeal will have a large impact on attracting potential buyers. So, what does that mean? Think manicured lawn, blooming flower beds, gorgeous steps, and an eye-catching driveway. Additionally, a well-landscaped home can sell for up to 12% more than a home with no landscaping!

Which features should you invest in?

The features you choose to invest in will depend largely on the reason why you are remodeling your landscape in the first place. That said, certain features will increase your home’s value more than others. If that’s a deciding factor for you, we’ve compiled a list based on the NALP-NAR survey mentioned earlier:

Outdoor Kitchen

Barbecues are great, but a fully equipped and personalized outdoor kitchen is even better! If you enjoy hosting get-togethers in your backyard, this is a feature you definitely want to look into. From shelving to mini-fridges and even side burners, there is no reason for you to be running back and forth from the indoors to the outdoors. We offer a wide range of retaining walls, allowing you to build a feature that is 100% you. Should you decide to sell your house, your outdoor kitchen just might seal the deal, and you can expect to recover about 71% of the invested cost. 

Concrete Patio

What’s a backyard without a patio? Whether you’re looking for a spot to lounge while the kids play in the yard, a place for your outdoor dining table, or a space for friends and family to gather, a patio is a must. According to the NALP, walkways, and patios with contemporary, geometric patterns are a growing trend! And with our large selection of concrete pavers and patio slabs, designing your perfect patio is made easy. From traditional to modern and everything in between, you will certainly find a product to match the style of your dreams. 

 

Fire Feature

Nothing says summer more than gathering around a crisp, warm fire after a day of lounging in the pool. But when we think about a fire pit, the image of a cast-iron bowl often comes to mind. Luckily times are changing, and options are growing, making it oh so simple to create a feature that will match your home’s aesthetic. Have a modern design in mind? Why not add a more modern fire pit into the mix? Its ultra-sleek design will certainly make it the centerpiece of your yard. Prefer something a bit more rustic? No problem – we can custom-build your ideal fire feature. Regardless of the style you choose, real estate website Zillow reported that homes mentioning ‘’fire pit’’ in their listing sold on average 3.8 days faster, and for 2.8% more – That equates to $8,400 more on a $300,000 home! It also ranked number one in the American Society of Landscape Architects survey on the most popular outdoor design elements. Finally, whether you’re selling or not, you’ll have something to make your space enjoyable throughout the seasons. 

Curb Appeal

If you’re thinking of selling, now is a great time to spruce up your entrance! The façade of a house usually tells buyers what they can expect once they come in, and a poorly kept front yard can leave potential buyers wondering what else is wrong with your home. A simple way to refresh your lawn is by keeping the grass green, the flowers blooming and adding garden edging and planters to keep everything in place. If you really want to take it up a notch, now would be the time to redo your driveway and follow design trends by laying pavers in eye-catching and unique patterns! You’ll certainly boost your curb appeal and have passersby doing a double-take. 

Landscape Lighting

Often an afterthought when planning a landscape renovation is lighting. But if you’re investing so much in your home’s exterior, wouldn’t you want to enjoy the view even once the sun has set? Not only does lighting increase safety when walking around your property at night, but it can also set the mood for your outdoor space. To really get the bang for your buck, we suggest investing in high-quality lighting that can be set with a timer and is guaranteed to last for years! If you’re in the process of redoing your steps, driveway, or any hardscape project, think about including integrated lighting such as step lights or recessed lighting, and use them to highlight key features of your landscape design. Adding ‘’outdoor lighting’’ to your home’s listing can even speed up the sale by three days. Not 100% sold on the idea? Check out our gorgeous hardscape lighting ideas for inspiration. 

So, is a landscape remodel really worth the investment?

In our opinion, a well-planned and thoughtfully designed landscape remodel is always worth the investment. Whether it be an improved quality of life and mental wellbeing, more space for family activities, or a higher resale value, renovating your outdoor space is sure to bring you long-lasting benefits. So, what are you waiting for?

 

Find out how much your project will cost and treat yourself to the landscape remodel of your dreams!

 

 

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

backyard putting green with text overlay Improve Your Golf Game From Home

Backyard Golf Course

Improve Your Golf Game from the Comfort of Home

With a custom putting green in your own backyard, you can improve your golf game whenever you’d like and enjoy hours of family fun. Our putting greens are completely customizable, so we can create the perfect putting green for any size, shape, terrain, or player level needed. We’ll design your artificial turf golf course precisely the way you like it, so you can bring your putting dreams to life.

NO YARD IS TOO BIG OR SMALL

Synthetic grass-putting greens are the perfect solution for awkwardly-shaped areas of your yard such as a hilled area or narrow side yard. Custom putting greens can be installed to fit any size, shape, or terrain you have to work with, so the design possibilities are virtually endless. We can incorporate features such as contours, bunkers, and tiers to create a realistic and professional putting experience, and our synthetic turf options always simulate the roll and feel of a professional course. Whether you’re a professional golfer or just looking for some family fun, you’ll love having a custom putting green in the comfort of your own home.

PRACTICE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

If you want to turn your Austin backyard into a golfer’s oasis, call Best of Texas Landscapes for an artificial grass putting green installation. Our team of expert designers will work with you one-on-one in order to bring your imagination to life and create the custom putting green you’ve always dreamed of. Improve your short game from the comfort of your own home or create fun for the whole family with artificial grass putting green. To find out more about the options available or to receive a free installation estimate, give us a call today at (512) 260.1430.

You need to add a widget, row, or prebuilt layout before you’ll see anything here. 🙂

Gardening Guide For Texas Winters

Anyone from Texas can tell you that we have unique weather patterns. There are few other places where you can experience all four seasons in just one day. The running joke of “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute” rings true to many of us. While it can be nice to experience summer weather on a December day here in Texas, winter flowers can pose a challenge for even most experienced gardeners. Below you’ll find our top tips for Texas residents on how to “winterize” your garden in Texas and satisfy your winter gardening cravings.

Preparing Your Garden

Protect your garden from pests

Ensuring that you have a healthy garden before winter begins is especially important if you plan on minimal garden maintenance during the winter months. In Texas, you’ll start to get some serious (by Texas standards) cold weather toward the end of November. These cold fronts typically last until the end of February. Your pre-winter garden cleanup should also include the removal of any dead plant debris or stalks, as these can be a breeding ground for harmful diseases and other pests. If you have plants that you know are finishing annuals, remove them at the start of winter for a clean slate of soil when spring rolls around.

Prepare the beds

Winter is a great time to let nutrients really soak into the ground so that when prime gardening time rolls around during the spring, your soil is healthy and nutrient-rich from months of decomposition.  Before the winter rains start, add around 3 inches of compost to your beds. Over time, the compost will decompose into crucial nutrients in the soil, making springtime gardening a breeze. Most of central and southern Texas won’t experience steady freezing temperatures throughout the winter that would make it worthwhile to try to keep the garden frozen with mulch. However, based on last year’s winter storm and the prediction of this year being the same if not worse, mulching your gardens at the beginning of the winter might be beneficial.

Freezing temperature planning

In Texas, below-freezing temperatures are spread out throughout the wintertime. You might experience your first isolated freeze toward the middle of November. Freezes will become more frequent as the winter progresses; however, they are rarely constant. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place for when freezes do come to make sure that your perennials (plants that survive winter) are protected for re-blooming in the spring. Since freezes are quite sporadic during a Texas winter, it’s feasible for you to pull out all the stops when you hear news of a freezing cold front. Be prepared to take the following actions when a freeze is imminent:

  • Cover shrubs and other tender plants with some sort of fabric (burlap, sheets, etc.). Do not use plastic to cover your plants.
  • If high winds are expected, plan to cover evergreen plants as well.
  • Cut back perennials to a few inches above where the stem meets the plant’s crown at soil level (with the exception of hardier perennials, which should be left unpruned).

How To Water During Winter in Texas

Watering your garden

There are several tips to keep in mind when watering your garden during the winter. You’ll want to water your plants once or twice a month unless Texas is experiencing a particularly dry winter. Your plants are likely to absorb more water during the earlier hours of the day; however, try to make sure that the temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. For most days, this shouldn’t be an issue in Texas, but every once in a while, you’ll get a cold snap during which temperatures dip below normal. Make sure to water both winter plants as well as perennials that might be dormant, as their roots will still need water to stay alive until spring. Only water until the soil of your garden is moist, and try to avoid watering when you are expecting a freeze!

Watering your lawn

Though it may be tempting, make sure to remain on a consistent watering schedule until temperatures drop below freezing. You can typically expect this to happen during some point in November, so plan to continue with your regular watering schedule until the days start to get significantly shorter. Truly frozen lawns aren’t a huge concern in Texas, as it typically doesn’t stay below freezing for more than a night or two. You should plan to stay on a fairly consistent watering schedule when you are experiencing a dry winter. Barring frozen soil, we recommend watering your lawn every two to three weeks for 15 to 20 minutes during the winter months. 

It’s especially important to water your lawn earlier during the day in the winter so that it has adequate time to dry before the evening rolls around. For ease of watering your lawn during the cold winter months, we recommend using a sprinkler system that you can simply schedule to turn on in the morning for 15 minutes, minimizing time spent outside in the chilly weather. Check out our favorite Rainbird ESP-ME below.

 

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

 

Serving Austin and it’s greater areas including: Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Marble Falls, Burnet, and Bertram

Landscape Design for Central Texas – Part 2 of 2

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1087″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now that you understand how to plan your space, let’s talk about what will complete it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

LANDSCAPING PLANTS

A great source for getting ideas regarding your space, and what will work best in your location, is to consult with local landscape designer. Finding a local professional who has extensive experience in your area will provide you with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding the plants that will inhabit your new space.

Select plants according to their ability to thrive in your specific space. Many home owners choose from native varieties, and are pleasantly surprised by the number of options that are easily overlooked. There are many plants that perform well in our area that are not native, however its generally good to consult with a landscape design professional before planting.

Native (indigenous) plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant and low-maintenance options because they have evolved over thousands of years in a particular region. They are suited to the geography, hydrology and climate of that area. However, even with native plants, it’s important to group them with plants that have similar needs in terms of sun, water and soil conditions.

Types of Plants to Consider:

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Shrubs
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Grass
Herbs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Vines
Cactus
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HARDSCAPES

Typically, one of the most striking parts of your new space will be the hardscape. These are the walls, paths, patios and non-living elements in your outdoor space. Hardscapes make your space more functional and fill in bare spots to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Again, this is a great time to speak with a landscape designer. Seeing past projects as well as having a walkthrough can help you as well as the designer come up with the perfect vision for your space and your budget. Think, paths of gravel or stone, patios or decks, rock walls (like a retaining wall or decorative element), arbors or pergolas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Using native and drought-tolerant plants is always a great way to reduce your need for supplemental irrigation, but you still need an efficient way to irrigate. No matter how tolerant your plant selection is, they are going to need water. On average, 30 percent of your water bill will be dedicated to outdoor use.

There are many options regarding irrigation in your space from sprinkler and drip systems to grading and effective use of your property’s physical features and all points in between. For the best options for your area and the plants inhabiting your new space it pays to speak with a professional who can offset long-term irrigation bills with a modern, efficient irrigation system designed for water conservation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

LIGHTING

Improved technology has made landscape lighting one of the most popular outdoor living features among homeowners. Nothing makes your new space more inviting than custom lighting designed specifically for your property.

Types of lighting to consider are pathway, accent and security lighting. A good landscape designer will make sure all three of these lighting options are addressed in your space.

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WHO TO HIRE

Hiring a Designer

It’s a good idea to shop until you find someone who will take the time to ask you questions about how you want to use your space, what your design style is, and can consult on how to landscape and irrigate your property. Hiring a professional who sees the grand vision as a whole, will help you design a space that looks good all year, because your landscape is a living work of art that has its own life-cycle.

Hiring Contractors

Additionally, you’ll need to hire a team to complete the design – to install plants, irrigation systems, and construct hardscapes.

Sounds like a lot of thought and preparation needs to go in to your new space! We encourage you not to start this journey on your own. Instead, reach out to Best of Texas Landscapes to get started and stay on the right track to create the perfect space for you and your family. We can help remove all the guess work from how long it will take, to how much it will cost, and how it will look from season to season and year to year.

The landscape design-build professionals at Best of Texas Landscapes work as a cohesive unit, combining the knowledge of design and horticulture with the hands-on skill of landscape contractors to complete your project on-time and on-budget. Adding substantial value to your property should the goal of every home owner and when you reach out to Best of Texas Landscapes you’ll be amazed at how easy it can be.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]