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The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

What to know about xeriscaping

By Nolan Gore / August 27, 2024

What is it? Why would you xeriscape part/all of your yard? What are the best plants for xeriscaping in Central Texas? What are common mistakes and misconceptions What are some common landscaping materials used in xeriscaping? What are several areas I should consider xeriscaping in my yard? What should I consider with xeriscaping? Some of our…

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Is rain water better for our landscape than irrigation water?

By Nolan Gore / July 30, 2024

It is all just water, right? Turns out – not all water is created equal. Rainwater is actually better for your landscape than irrigation water. Yes – you heard me correctly. Water from the sky is better for your lawn, plants, lawn gnomes and trees than the water from your pipes. Before I explain why…irrigation…

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How to retain water in your landscape

By Nolan Gore / June 27, 2024

Despite consistent watering, your grass and plants are likely showing the strain of a long, hot Austin summer. What can you do? Luckily we’ve still got a few tricks up our sleeves to retain water — saving whatever moisture we can so your ground and plants don’t dry up. 1. Don’t waste water: inspect your irrigation…

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Why Do You Need Mulch?

By Nolan Gore / June 20, 2024

Why do you need mulch in your flower beds? Especially here in Austin? To answer this question I went through several possible acronyms to describe why you need mulch. I ended up with… SIPS! (PISS didn’t seem like it was appropriate – though it may have been more memorable). Here’s why you need high-quality, native,…

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How to Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding in Austin

By Nolan Gore / April 15, 2024

Why did God make mosquitoes? They suck (literally and figuratively).  Mosquitoes are not just annoying – they can also put your health at risk by transmitting diseases. That’s why it’s important to take proactive steps to reduce mosquito breeding sites in your yard and protect your loved ones. Let’s discuss practical tips and tricks for…

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Our Top Evergreen Shrubs for Texas Lawns

By The Top Choice Team / April 5, 2024

Spring has sprung, and green is starting to show everywhere! But what if your landscape could stay green year-round? We’re lucky that many evergreen shrubs thrive in Texas lawns, and spring is the perfect time to add a few to your beds. Choosing evergreen shrubs in Texas involves a few factors, like heat tolerance, drought…

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Check Out this Austin Backyard Makeover

By The Top Choice Team / November 14, 2023

With a growing family of six, Bob Smith (a very fake client with a very real house) moved into a new home earlier this year. Things have been working out great, but the backyard left a little something to be desired. With little to no shade, grass, or landscaping, it was a dust bowl in…

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Top 10 Drought-Tolerant Plants for Gardening in Austin

By Allison / October 2, 2023

Gardening in Austin can be a challenge for even the greenest of thumbs. In 2023 alone, our plants experienced a terrible winter ice storm followed by a record-breaking summer with unrelenting heat and drought. A lot of lawns and beds are not looking so good right now. Even plants supposedly rated for “hardiness zone” didn’t…

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Austin Fall Landscaping Checklist

By The Top Choice Team / September 21, 2023

We made it. After a record-setting summer of triple-digit heat, temperatures have dropped, rain has come, and there are cooler days ahead in the forecast. What does that mean for your lawn and landscape? We’ve put together some thoughts and a free downloadable Fall Landscaping Checklist specifically for our Austin climate. Let’s get to work!…

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Mosquito-Repellant Plants in Austin

By The Top Choice Team / June 26, 2023

Lots of people ask about mosquito-repellant plants for their new landscaping and yard projects. They are a great way to dress up your landscape, and you get actually to enjoy it! Types of mosquito-repellant plants for the Austin climate Remember first step is prevention Before you go about buying lots of mosquito-repellant plants and fancy…

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