planting

The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Silkworms in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / April 10, 2025

Silkworms in Central Texas: What Are Those Worms Crawling on You? Have you ever been in a serious conversation—maybe even a meeting—only to feel something crawling on your neck? You do the jump-and-slap combo, thinking it’s a spider, and it turns out to be a tiny, green worm. Welcome to springtime in Central Texas. Those…

Read More
This Week in Landscaping

This Week in Landscaping – April 7, 2025

By Nolan Gore / April 8, 2025

Red yuccas, lawn envy, bluebonnet seeds, and silk worms… oh my. Spring has officially sprung in Austin. The grass is taking off. The plants are showing off. And the weather is making all of us feel like we should probably do more in the yard than we actually have time for. Here’s your local update…

Read More

What to Know About June Bugs in Austin Yards

By Nolan Gore / April 2, 2025

TL;DR: • June bugs = no big deal (unless there’s a lot) • Their babies = turf-killing grubs • Now’s a good time to keep an eye out • We’ve got grub control if you need it What to Know About June Bugs in Austin Yards (And why they’re crashing your porch light party) It’s…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More