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Like us, grass cannot live on water alone. Before the stress of summer arrives, fortify your lawn with fertilizer. And if your lawn is showing areas of weakness, with weeds settling in, a fertilizer routine will do more than herbicides to crowd them out. Knowing how and when to fertilize varies depending upon many variables like soil quality, type of grass, and weather conditions, but these general rules apply to most lawns. In short, successful fertilization is about the right…

We last discussed garden trends in 2018 and those trends are still in vogue, like our favorite, wabi-sabi.   At the start of our new decade the buzz centers on trends to create a healthy, happy place to live.   Saving soil It takes 500 years for nature to produce just one inch of top soil. And yet, erosion has wiped away 1/3 of the world’s top soil. Protecting this life-giving resource is one of the hottest trends.   Regenerative…

How does one person save the planet? By starting with their own little corner of it, even if that corner is very small.   Our patchwork of lawns and gardens are a large part of the ecosystem and the choices we make in their management impacts our world. Saving the planet starts with how each of us tends our small piece. Here’s how you do it.   Build your backyard nature reserve Imagine your yard a small nature reserve, a…

We may not always be the best of neighbors, but we need birds and other wildlife. They are an essential part of our ecosystem and anything we do to help them helps us all. Spread holiday cheer and care with the wildlife in your world with these easy ideas. Decorating for the birds Outdoor decorations can be more than plastic and electric. Decorating real trees and shrubs with organic, edible decorations can be both beautiful and beneficial to wildlife. It…

When it rains, do you see puddles in your yard or rivers flowing past your foundation? If yes, take heed. Uncontrolled water flow damages everything in its path. Water flowing towards your house damages your foundation. Strong currents and standing water kill grass and erode precious top soil. There are three ways to prevent water damage and by implementing them, you can actually benefit from heavy rains: Redirect the flow Soak it in Save it for a non-rainy day Redirect…

Your irrigation system keeps your lawn lush and healthy. It also protects the investment you make in your landscape. Save money, save water and keep your system humming with these important tips. An ounce of prevention The adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, applies to irrigation. Like your automobile or your teeth, regular inspection and maintenance is essential to keep your irrigation system running smoothly. And discovering issues quickly stops water waste and saves money,…

We are big fans of wildflowers. Once established, they are easy to maintain, bring color to the world and, most importantly, support butterflies, birds, and bees. And restoring green space with ecological variety is always the right thing to do. As Fall is the best time to plant most Central Texas varieties, what better time to consider revamping a tired part of your lawn with wildflowers and native grasses. Wildflowers love poor quality soil Since wildflowers grow well in poor…

It is hot outside. No need to tell you that. So hot, that stepping outside soon makes you long for air conditioning inside. With shade, however, you can enjoy even steamy summer days in your own backyard. If you do not already have enough shade, here are three easy way to create it. 1. Plant your shade Plants and trees provide idyllic dappled shade. Make a plan to group your plantings to create appealing islands of shade, destinations for play…