Tag: Georgetown

Eco-Friendly Landscaping in Texas: The Future of Outdoor Design

In the heart of Texas, where the sun beats down on rolling hills and rugged terrain, homeowners have a unique opportunity. The increasing temperatures, water scarcity, and concerns about fire safety have prompted a shift in the way we think about landscaping. Enter eco-friendly landscaping—a sustainable and proactive solution for today’s challenges.

What is Eco-Friendly Landscaping?

Eco-friendly landscaping, often known as xeriscaping or native landscaping, is a method of designing and maintaining landscapes in a way that reduces the need for water, protects local ecosystems, and reduces environmental impact. This approach utilizes plants that are native or adapted to the region, minimizes lawn areas that require high water consumption, and implements water-saving irrigation techniques.
close up of round cactus with native grasses and yucca plants

Why Design an Eco-Friendly Landscape?

There are many reasons why Texas residents should care about eco-friendly landscaping. Here are just a few:
  • Water conservation: Central Texas faces periodic droughts, and with increasing global temperatures, water scarcity is becoming a more pressing issue. Lawns and non-native plants can require a significant amount of water. By transitioning to an eco-friendly landscape, homeowners can significantly reduce their water usage, ensuring there’s enough to go around for everyone.
  • Environmental health: Native plants have co-evolved with local insects, birds, and other wildlife. They offer the necessary nutrients and habitat these species need. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you’re promoting biodiversity and helping the local ecosystem thrive.
  • Fire safety: As temperatures rise, so does the risk of wildfires. Certain plants and landscaping methods can act as firebreaks, slowing down the spread of wildfires. Properly chosen and placed vegetation can provide an added layer of safety for your property.
  • Cost savings: Native plants are adapted to the local climate, which means they require less maintenance, fewer pesticides, and less water. Over time, this can translate into significant savings for homeowners.

Trending Ideas for Eco-Friendly Landscaping in Texas

In addition to the traditional principles of eco-friendly landscaping, there are a number of trending ideas that homeowners in Texas can incorporate into their outdoor spaces. These include:
  • Rainwater harvesting: This is a great way to collect and store rainwater for use in your landscape. Rainwater is soft and free of chemicals, making it ideal for watering plants.
  • Xeriscaping: This is a landscaping style that uses plants that are adapted to dry conditions. Xeriscaping can save you a lot of water and money on your landscaping bill.
  • Native plants: Using native plants in your landscape is a great way to support local wildlife and reduce your impact on the environment. Native plants are also well-suited to the Texas climate and require less water and maintenance than non-native plants.
  • Edible landscaping: This is a trend that is gaining popularity in Texas. Edible landscaping is a great way to grow your own food and reduce your reliance on the grocery store. You can also use edible plants to create a beautiful and functional landscape.
  • Sustainable hardscaping: Hardscaping materials, such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls, can be made from sustainable materials, such as recycled concrete or natural stone. These materials can help to reduce your environmental impact and add beauty to your landscape.

 

Eco-friendly landscaping is more than a trend—it’s a responsible and smart choice for Texas homeowners. By making these sustainable choices today, we ensure a healthier, safer, and more beautiful Texas for future generations.
Visit the Texas SmartScape site for more helpful info and resources!
If you’re interested in learning more about eco-friendly landscaping in Texas, contact our team today. We would be happy to help you create a beautiful and sustainable landscape for your home.
Contact us today or call 512-260-1430

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!