Your yard is the first thing people notice when they come to visit you and you don’t want to leave a bad first impression. A well-kept yard will bring you a sense of order and tidiness, impress your friends and neighbors, and even help you sell your home faster. Let’s say you’ve just moved into a new house and it didn’t come with a fully landscaped yard. You don’t trust your landscaping skills? We have some landscaping tips for your Texas home that will whip your yard back into shape.
Since your yard says a lot about you, a dirty, overgrown and neglected yard won’t send a good message. Don’t give passers-by a reason to think that you are lazy or wonder if anyone lives in your home. You do not need a professional gardener to have a nice yard. Evolution Moving DFW can help you move your lawnmower and gardening tools so you can start working on your new yard immediately. However, have in mind that a tidy yard takes commitment. A garden is a living thing that grows and changes and therefore demands regular attention.
Choose plants that are best suited for Texas climate
Texas has three primary types of climate – mountain, continental steppe, and modified marine – and a myriad of microclimates. This means climate conditions range from arid to semitropical. For example, many people decide to make Houston their home, while others prefer Dallas. Both Houston and Dallas experience hot and humid weather during the summer, but Dallas is colder during the winter.
Your choice of plants should be based on the location among other factors. Some plants aren’t cut out for Texas climate. Knowing what to expect throughout each season will help you make the right decision and avoid losing your plants due to unfavorable climate conditions.
Choose the right spot for each plant
Light levels are constantly changing throughout the day. The orientation of your property as well as the shadows different objects cast are very important for landscaping. Therefore, you should carefully pick spots where your plants can thrive. Take a day to observe and take notes so you can create a roadmap to determine where to put each plant.
The best time to start a garden
Generally speaking, the best time to plant trees and shrubs in Texas is from late fall to early spring. Fruit trees are a Texas must-have. They are gorgeous, useful, and less demanding than you think. Find a relatively sunny spot in your yard and plant a fruit you like. Late winter or early spring is the best time to plant new fruit trees. Just make sure the ground is not too frozen to dig a hole.
A colorful garden filled with flowers can draw many admirers, but its maintenance requires dedication. The best time to plant flowers is from February to May, depending on the species.
If you want to grow your own vegetables, the best time to plant also varies with the species, but many can be planted as soon as February or early March (broccoli, carrots). For others you should wait until late April or early May (squash, tomatoes, peppers).
Lawn care tips
A healthy lawn with lush green grass looks elegant and sophisticated. Plus, there’s the sweet smell of freshly cut grass everyone loves. So, if you want to keep it simple, all you need is a neat lawn to have a refined yard.
In Texas, lawns don’t always look great after the winter season. However, that is only temporary. Grass practically takes care of itself, it just needs a little help from you. Here are some landscaping tips your lawn will appreciate:
- Seeding:Take a good look at your lawn to identify bare areas that require re-seeding. It is recommendable to apply new seed in April when the soil temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fertilizing:In the spring, do a soil test to check if your lawn needs fertilizing. Fertilizer should not be used until at least 50 percent of your lawn turns green.
- Mowing:Once most of your lawn is green, it is time to start mowing it. Adjust your lawnmower to trim only the tops of the grass blades, not to cut them off close to the base.
- Watering: One of the most important landscaping tips is to give your plants enough water, especially during droughts. Water your lawn for 10-15 minutes per area once a week in April, and two to three times a week starting in May.
Tree and shrub care tips
Spring is a good time of the year to mulch shrubs and hedge plantings. A shrub that has been affected by pests or disease during winter should be replaced.
Late winter and early spring are a good time to start pruning because it should be done before new growth appears. If new growth has already appeared, pruning will damage the plant. The right method of pruning depends on what types of trees and shrubs are growing in your yard.
Pathways and landscape rocks
A pathway is a good place to start designing your landscape. Depending on your taste and budget, you can use flat stones, bricks or a mix of rock and gravel.
Landscape rocks are beautiful, low maintenance, and drought resistant. They can serve various purposes, such as lining flower beds and keeping weeds down. If your budget is tight, look for places where you can get them for free.
Landscaping tips for dealing with pests
The most common pests in Texas gardens are: aphids, chinch bugs, snails, grubs, caterpillars, slugs, and fire ants. You need to react immediately and eliminate the problem as soon as you notice early signs of an infestation. Fortunately, there is often more than one solution to this type of problems. There are natural ways to keep your yard pest-free that don’t involve pesticides and other toxic chemicals.
Final thoughts
Even if you’re not big on landscaping or you have more important things on your mind, you must admit that it’s nice to have a decent looking yard. Basic landscaping doesn’t require too much time and effort. When you know which plants to select and how to take care of them, landscaping turns from a tedious task to a fun hobby. We hope these landscaping tips for your Texas home help you have a beautiful garden all year long.
