Water Conservation in Central Texas
Cedar fever season is right around the corner! But the tree that produces it pays us back amply with aquifer recharge and habitat restoration.
Central Texas Xeriscape Ideas: Beyond Desert Aesthetics
“Central Texas Xeriscaping” may evoke desert imagery, but our region demands a targeted approach to xeriscape that defies this aesthetic. There’s no clear way to conserve resources by building a desert within a larger landscape that’s not a desert. And that the original goals of xeriscape all point directly to resource conservation. But let’s be …
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What is a Rain Garden?
What is a Rain Garden? At Maas Verde, rain gardens are focal to our process. But…what are they? Isn’t every garden technically a “rain garden?” While you could apply the description to any planted area that gets rained on, a proper rain garden has a specific structure and function. Technically, a rain garden consists of …
Erosion Control: Why It Matters in Under 30 Seconds
Erosion Control: Why It Matters in Under 30 Seconds It may not be the hottest topic in landscaping, but it definitely ranks among the most critical. Landscape erosion control — active or passive — should be foundational to every landscape install. Here’s why. Erosion leads to dense, dry soils that don’t absorb much water. During …
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What’s Going on Here?
What’s Going on Here? Unless you live under a very warm rock, you’re well aware Central Texas can easily turn into an icebox at the drop of a hat. Proper vegetation management during these freezing conditions is crucial for safeguarding plant life. If you’ve braved the frozen tundra, you may have seen plants doing some …
Why to Book Austin Tree Service in January
Why to Book Austin Tree Service in January When the New Year begins, home and property owners can take advantage of an opportune moment for tree care in Austin. January marks an ideal time to schedule tree services from trimming and deadwood pruning to air spading, canopy lifting, or tree removal. Regularly-scheduled tree care with …
5 Best Ways to Enjoy Ecological Landscapes
5 Best Ways to Enjoy Ecological Landscapes So you’re thinking about replacing your turfgrass or other conventional landscape with native plants and features that provide ecological function. Gray Hairstreak butterflies flicker between bluebonnets. Limestone boulders harvested from the crust of quarries just 30 miles north of Austin create shape, character, and retention. Rain gardens grow …
5 Ideas: Natural Decor For Christmas
5 Ideas: Natural Decor For Christmas Spread cheer not waste with these five natural Christmas decor and gift tips. We all want our holiday decorations and gifts to make a big impact — but not on the environment. Why not bring the festive cheer right into your own Austin landscape? From eco-friendly wrapping paper to …
Xeriscaping is More Than Cacti and Rocks
Xeriscaping is More Than Cacti and Rocks As the landscaping industry grows more responsive to water savings and sustainable landscapes, the buzz around xeriscaping only gets louder. But what is a xeriscape? Does it involve creating a desert, a succulent garden, or a pit of gravel or lava rock? Is it an ecological practice or …
‘Leave the Leaves’ — Yes, But Why and How?
‘Leave the Leaves’ — Yes, But Why and How? A million. That’s how many microorganisms can live in a soil sample that would fit in a bottlecap. They’re nature’s decomposers: microscopic, beneficial fungi and bacteria that form the foundation of the food web. They make soils fertile, providing various food sources for plants and animals …