Lighten Up: Make Your Backyard Inviting

Summer heat been giving you the blues? We love Texas for all the outdoor fun we have, but sometimes it's just too hot to be outside.

 Now that the evenings are getting cooler, it is easy to start thinking about relaxing in your backyard a little more. Have you ever considered the way professional landscape lights can enhance your outdoor space?

 

 

There are many surprising reasons to install professional landscape lighting:

 1. Aesthetics

Great lighting just looks good. Lighting adds a dimension of beauty to your outdoor space by creating glows, casting shadows, and adding a softness to your environment that standard porch lights can’t provide.

 2. Security

It’s an old trick everyone knows—lighting up your space makes it much harder to hide, and greatly reduces the chances you’ll attract questionable characters or critters. Even keeping your space partially lit at night can make a big difference.

3. Safety

Nobody wants to stumble around or hurt themselves trying to navigate a dark porch or yard. Illuminate dark corners with low lighting to easily see where you’re going at night, and to keep your space safe for kids and family.

 4. Extended Outdoor Time

Most of the time, we find ourselves retreating to the well-lit indoors once the sun goes down. But with a few simple lighting additions, you’ll be able to enjoy evenings outside well into the starlit night, creating a new space to entertain your guests and friends.

 5. Quality

Not all lighting is created equal. You could go to a home improvement store and try to DIY your outdoor lighting, but the quality level and lifetime you’ll receive by going professional is well worth the investment.

Here at Terra Dura, we use Vistapro Landscape LED lights, which last up to 50,000 hours—roughly 50x longer compared to your regular incandescent lights, which last only 1,000 to 2,000. They’ll also use at least 75% less energy.

Here are just a few of the ways professional lighting can enhance your space:

 Pathways: No need to line the edge of your pathway with lights. Try mixing directional path lights with ambient lighting within your landscaped beds for a more natural look.

 Patio: Use diffused down-lighting from above to get a moonlit effect onto your patio.

 Trees: Trees are naturally incredibly beautiful forms to use for up-lighting or cross-lighting.

 Water Features: Underwater lights are both elegant & eye-catching.

 Architectural Elements: Pillars, terraces, and even your home itself can all be lit for dramatic effect.

 Driveway: Consider lighting up the landscaping around your driveway to bring more ambiance for those coming to your home, or for a soothing welcome on your way home from work.

 

Ready to lighten up? Give us a call at (512) 560-0148 and let Terra Dura Landscapes brighten up your yard to create a relaxing, beautiful, and secure environment for you to enjoy.

Dollars from the City of Austin for Your Compost & Mulch

 

Hurry! Rebate ends June 12, 2015

Austin Water has launched a pilot rebate program designed to keep your yard healthy while still saving water. By using a combination of mulch, compost, and aeration, your lawn will be prepared for the long, hot days of summer. These techniques will ensure that water stays on your yard, reducing the need for supplemental irrigation.

• Compost – 2 cubic yards or 54 cubic feet--rebate $50
• Mulch – 2 cubic yards or 54 cubic feet--rebate $40
• Core Aeration Service for entire front and/or back lawn area (equipment rental is acceptable) --rebate $30

DilloDirt™ made by the City of Austin is an acceptable form of compost. Visit www.austintexas.gov/dillodirt for a list of vendors.

For Progam Guidelines & The Application visit:
Drought Survival Tools Rebate- Guidelines and Application

Compost & Mulching helps soil absorb and retain nutrients and moisture, protects plants from diseases and pests and suppresses weeds. Better Moisture retention means less watering, allowing you to conserve water. Less weeding means that you are winning the great Battle of the Weeds. Terra Dura will help fight the battle with you by offering our transforming powers to your yard. We look forward to hearing from you to set up a plan to keep your home native.  

Terra Dura Landscapes can help you accomplish your water saving goals for this special program through the City of Austin. Please contact us to set up a proposal for this program or any other of your landscaping needs.

Valentine's Day is for Lovers (and Pruning)

With all the love you havE, be sure to share with your overgrown plants.

February 14th, Valentine's day, is a day to remember. You most certainly need to remember to get some chocolates, get reservations for your favorite restaurant, and pick up some flowers for your love. Oh that reminds me, February 14th can also be remembered for the best time to prune all of your perennial flowers and shrubs. 

The plants will thrive come spring, if you are able to take the time now to prune. Each perennial flower or shrub has different pruning needs, so be sure to do your research or hire a professional (like Terra Dura).

Check out this great video from John Dromgoole on pruning for a starter lesson.
Central Texas Gardener

Spineless Prickly Pear in bloom.

Queen Butterfly resting on some Greg's Mist Flower with Autumn Sage in the background

Fall is THE Time to Plant Trees

Fall is the perfect time to work on Landscaping-  Most people assume Spring is the only time to work on your landscape, but Fall is actually much better, especially in our Texas heat. Trees and perennial plants need time to set down roots in the Fall and Winter, so they can thrive in the Spring. Trees and native plants need far less water to establish in Fall and Winter as opposed to planting in Spring and Summer. 

We are running a tree planting special. Pick from any of the three recommended low water large shade trees below for one flat "tree and installation" fee of $500 plus sales tax. Tree will come in 30 gallon size (approx. 8-20 feet height depending on tree type*).

1. Mexican White Oak 
2. Live Oak 
3. Mexican Sycamore

Please contact us to set up installation time.

*other tree options and sizes are available.

Planting large shade trees, like this Mexican Sycamore, are a great way to cut down on your utility bills, by planting to the southwest of your house.

Is it time to install a new patio? We have great options if you are going for a "rustic Hill Country feel" or a modern patio.

While many folks use the words Low Maintenance and Xeriscape interchangeably, I always like to warn my clients that it does not mean NO maintenance. Xeriscapes are low maintenance compared to a well maintained turf lawn. Xeriscapes require less water, fertilizer, and grooming in the long haul, but be prepared for battle with the weeds. The two most insidious weeds to fight are nut sedge and bermuda grass. While there are many tools for battle (hoop hoe, herbicides, or propane torch), maintaining the weeds in your xeriscape will be challenging. Terra Dura will stand with you in the great Battle of the Weeds pouring out our very own blood, sweat, and tears. We look forward to hearing from you to set up a plan to keep your home native. We specialize in xeriscape installation, but we can do it all from native plant care to landscape installation.  Please contact us to set up a meeting.

Free Landscape Maintenance Service

One free lawn maintenance service- You can take advantage of this offer when you set up a 6 month maintenance contract with Terra Dura Landscapes.  We specialize in xeriscape maintenance and native plant care, but we can do it all from basic lawn care to landscape installation.

Please contact us  to set up a maintenance proposal meeting. Accepting maintenance contracts in the central Austin area.

Maintenance contracts will range in price depending on the type of work. A maintenance contract could include weeding xeriscape areas, basic lawn service, and/or trimming plants.

Dalea Frutescens- Black Dalea 
Now is the time to plant wildflower seed for them to come up in the spring. Check out this great native plant for your yard.

Is it time to install a new patio? We have great options if you are going for a "rustic Hill Country feel" or a modern patio.

While many folks use the words Low Maintenance and Xeriscape interchangeably, I always like to warn my clients that it does not mean NO maintenance. Xeriscapes are low maintenance compared to a well maintained turf lawn. Xeriscapes require less water, fertilizer, and grooming in the long haul, but be prepared for battle with the weeds. The two most insidious weeds to fight are nut sedge and bermuda grass. While there are many tools for battle (hoop hoe, herbicides, or propane torch), maintaining the weeds in your xeriscape will be challenging. Terra Dura will stand with you in the great Battle of the Weeds pouring out our very own blood, sweat, and tears. We look forward to hearing from you to set up a plan to keep your home native.