The Top Choice Team

The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Types of Grass

By The Top Choice Team / August 17, 2020

Central Texas Grass Though we do not think about it much, our climate has a big impact on our life, and your grass is a big part of your personal climate!  In Austin (the southernmost state capital in the US of A!), we have a lot of benefits from our temperate weather.  Sandals and Shorts…

Read More

Ice Bucket While Explaining Lawn Basics

By The Top Choice Team / July 22, 2020

Lawn Basics – Delivered a new way In this video we explain four basics for your lawn.  Maintenance – Focus on height and correct consistency.  Cultural Practices – Watch out for compaction (kids or pets) and pet waste Location – Don’t try to grow grass that needs 6 hours of sun in full shade. Nutrients…

Read More

Core Value: Have Fun and Tree Trimming

By The Top Choice Team / July 13, 2020

Doesn’t this picture make you happy? Real smiles are the best. This is Eleazar (we call him Laser) and he is one of our fantastic, long-time foremen.  Core Value: Have Fun At Top Choice one of our core values is to”have fun”. We define fun as: laughing, winning, working hard and serving. We don’t really…

Read More

More Water = Better?

By The Top Choice Team / June 30, 2020

More isn’t always better: Years ago I really wanted my lawn to look great so I decided to add more water. More = better. That is always the right answer…isn’t it? So, I watered every day (this was before I understood water restrictions). Let’s avoid the obvious first issues (money, waste, regulations). But this is…

Read More

Gallons a Day…

By The Top Choice Team / June 4, 2020

This post is brought to you by Mathias (one of the interns). Gallons of Water a Day Keeps the Texas Sun Away Who knew the human body could drink so much water? As I sat in the shade in my own pool of sweat, I thought to myself that this was not the summer of…

Read More

Some Rough Thoughts on Working in the World of COVID

By The Top Choice Team / April 22, 2020

There is too much to write.  I assume people wouldn’t really be that interested.  But perhaps someone is interested, so I thought I would share a little of our experience in these weird/unprecedented/sucky times.    Some rough thoughts: Office is working from home. We are so fortunate that Golden is so Tech savvy. He already…

Read More

Live Oak Leaves

By The Top Choice Team / March 4, 2020

Warning…this song will get in your head. It’s raining leaves! Hallelujah! It’s raining leaves! (Think – “It’s raining men” – this is a ridiculous music video) Live oaks leaves Live oaks are called live oaks because they rarely fully shed their leaves – they are semi-deciduous. Several times per year there is a large leaf…

Read More

Common Winter Weed – Dandelion

By The Top Choice Team / February 24, 2020

Dandelions  Can be found in all 50 States (even Hawaii and Alaska) My kids’ favorite (we always look for them) Stems used in salads by some.  Could have valuable health effects when eaten. Deep Taproot The yellow flower has been used in dyes Broad leaf – how it’s classified for weed treatments.  A potential source…

Read More

Types of Crape Myrtles in Austin

By The Top Choice Team / February 17, 2020

Pretty much anywhere you look, you will quickly see several types of Crape Myrtles in Austin. These trees are extraordinarily resilient, making them a great candidate for your Central Texas yard. Here are some quick facts: A Few Popular Types of Crape Myrtles in Austin There are several varieties of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) that are…

Read More

False Spring

By The Top Choice Team / February 17, 2020

False Spring Central Texas likes to throw a couple of false springs into the mix each year – this year is no exception. As you drive around town, you will notice some blooms. They are beautiful and fun, but they are deceiving. Below you will see three different flowering trees – a couple of pear…

Read More