Practical Landscaping Tips for Texas Homeowners: Lessons from the Field

As someone who's been maintaining landscapes across Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley for years, I'm always interested in seeing how other lawn care professionals approach their work. I'm Cole A from New Day Landscaping, and after working with over 100 local families on everything from basic maintenance to complete landscape renovations, I've learned that efficiency and smart planning make all the difference.

I recently watched a video from Jonathan at Florida Turf Pros where he shares some practical landscaping tips - from flower bed cleanouts to design principles. While Florida's climate is different from ours here in North Texas, the fundamental approaches to efficient work and good design translate really well to Fort Worth landscapes.

The Tarp Method - Working Smarter, Not Harder

Jonathan starts his video by showing how his crew handles flower bed cleanouts using tarps, and I've got to say, this is exactly the approach we use at New Day Landscaping. It's one of those simple solutions that makes a huge difference in efficiency.

Instead of making multiple trips with buckets, wheelbarrows, or trash cans, you spread a tarp next to the bed you're cleaning out. All the debris - old mulch, weeds, trimmed branches - goes directly onto the tarp. When you're done, you just drag the whole thing to your truck or trailer in one trip.

I've used this method on properties throughout Tanglewood and Overton Park, and it cuts cleanup time significantly. Plus, it keeps the surrounding lawn clean since you're not tracking debris across the yard with multiple trips. For homeowners watching their landscapers work, this is the kind of detail that shows a crew knows what they're doing.

The Right Tools for Bed Cleanouts

Jonathan mentions using both a Sawzall and sharp shears for cutting back overgrown material, and this highlights something important - having the right tools for the job matters. Different materials require different approaches.

For thick, woody growth and small saplings, power tools like reciprocating saws make quick work of what would otherwise be exhausting manual labor. But for smaller branches and precise trimming, a good pair of sharp hand shears gives you better control and often works faster than trying to maneuver power equipment.

In Texas landscapes, we deal with a lot of aggressive growth - especially from things like ligustrum, photinia, and volunteer tree seedlings. Having both power tools and quality hand tools means you can tackle whatever you encounter efficiently.

Seasonal Timing for Pruning

One thing Jonathan mentions that's worth noting - he doesn't prune his crepe myrtles until January or February, and he doesn't cut anything that's actively blooming. This is solid advice that applies to Texas landscapes too.

Here in Fort Worth, late winter (typically February or early March) is the ideal time for crepe myrtle pruning. The trees are fully dormant, and you're pruning before spring growth starts. Pruning too early in winter or too late in spring can stress the tree or reduce blooming.

The principle of not cutting blooming plants is just good landscape management. If something's flowering, let it finish its cycle. You'll get better plant health and more blooms the following season.

Creating Attractive Landscape Beds

The middle section of Jonathan's video covers design principles, and this is where I think a lot of homeowners struggle. They know they want their beds to look better, but they're not sure how to achieve that. Jonathan breaks it down into three simple principles:

Different Heights: Layering plants from tall to short creates depth and visual interest.

Different Textures: Mixing spiky plants with flowing, soft-textured plants keeps things from looking monotonous.

Different Colors: Using plants that complement or contrast with each other makes the whole bed more dynamic.

The key phrase he uses is "make sure they all play off each other," and that's exactly right. It's not just about having variety - it's about having variety that works together.

Applying Design Principles in North Texas

These design principles work great in Fort Worth landscapes, but we need to adapt plant choices to our conditions. Here's how I typically apply these concepts with Texas-tough plants:

For Height Variation:

• Tall: Wax myrtle, yaupon holly, vitex

• Medium: boxwood, dwarf yaupon, compact nandina

• Low: Asian jasmine, liriope, trailing lantana

For Texture Contrast:

• Spiky/Architectural: yucca, ornamental grasses, agave

• Fine/Delicate: rosemary, lavender, autumn sage

• Bold/Broad: hostas (for shade), ajuga, purple heart

For Color Interest:

• Evergreen structure: hollies, boxwood, pittosporum

• Seasonal color: salvia, lantana, esperanza

• Foliage color: purple heart, red-tipped photinia, golden euonymus

The key is choosing plants that can handle our Texas heat, our clay soil, and our temperature swings while still creating that layered, interesting look.

Planning in Groups

Jonathan mentions planning in groups, and this is another principle that makes a big difference. Instead of spacing individual plants evenly across a bed, group similar plants together. This creates more impact and looks more natural.

In Fort Worth landscapes, I typically use odd-numbered groupings - three, five, or seven of the same plant together. This creates mass and makes maintenance easier since you're treating similar plants as a group rather than dealing with scattered individuals.

The Value of Fresh Mulch

One detail from the video that really resonates - Jonathan talks about how much better a house looks after a simple flower bed cleanout and fresh mulch installation. This is something I emphasize to my clients all the time.

Fresh mulch does several things:

• Instantly improves curb appeal

• Suppresses weeds

• Retains soil moisture

• Regulates soil temperature

• Breaks down to improve soil over time

In Texas, I typically recommend 2-3 inches of quality hardwood mulch. Our heat means mulch breaks down faster than in cooler climates, so annual refresh is usually needed to maintain that clean look and functional benefits.

Handling Challenging Installations

The video shows a sod installation on a slope, and Jonathan talks about using extra sod staples to prevent washout. This is smart work that shows attention to detail. Slopes are challenging anywhere, but in Texas with our heavy rainstorms and clay soil, proper installation on grades is critical.

For sloped areas in Fort Worth, I use similar techniques:

• Extra staples or pins to hold sod in place

• Sometimes erosion control fabric under the sod

• Proper grading to manage water flow

• Deep watering to encourage root establishment before winter

Getting new sod established before our winter weather hits is important. Even though our winters are mild compared to places like Indiana, we still get freezes and temperature swings that can stress newly installed grass.

Social Media and Staying Visible

Jonathan talks about using social media to stay top-of-mind with clients and friends, posting work photos consistently without being too pushy. This is actually smart business practice that applies to any service-based business.

I take a similar approach with New Day Landscaping. Showing completed work, explaining what we're doing, and sharing seasonal tips keeps us connected with clients and demonstrates our expertise. It's not about bragging - it's about showing the quality of work people can expect and staying visible when someone needs landscaping help.

The key is consistency and authenticity. People can tell the difference between genuine sharing and constant sales pitches.

The Confidence to Take on New Projects

One thing Jonathan mentions at the end resonates with me - giving people confidence to take on projects they might not otherwise attempt. Understanding basic principles of landscape design, efficient work methods, and proper timing can make the difference between avoiding a project and successfully completing it.

For homeowners in Fort Worth who are considering DIY landscape improvements, understanding these fundamentals helps you know what's reasonable to tackle yourself versus when to call in professional help.

When DIY Makes Sense and When to Call Professionals

Based on the techniques in the video and my experience in Fort Worth, here's my take on what's DIY-friendly versus what benefits from professional help:

Good DIY Projects:

• Mulch refresh in existing beds

• Simple pruning and cleanup

• Planting individual shrubs or perennials

• Maintaining established landscapes

Consider Professional Help For:

• Major bed renovations or new bed creation

• Large tree work or removal

• Grading and drainage issues

• Irrigation installation or repair

• Complete landscape design and installation

What I've Learned from Working in Fort Worth

After working with over 100 families throughout Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley, I've learned that good landscape maintenance and design comes down to a few key principles:

Work efficiently: Methods like the tarp technique save time and produce better results.

Understand timing: Pruning, planting, and maintenance all have optimal windows in our climate.

Design with purpose: Height, texture, and color variation create interest, but plants need to work together.

Choose appropriate plants: Texas-tough selections that handle heat, clay soil, and temperature swings.

Stay consistent: Regular maintenance is easier and more effective than sporadic major cleanups.

Our 95% retention rate comes from understanding these principles and applying them consistently across all the properties we maintain.

Ready to Improve Your Fort Worth Landscape?

Whether you're looking at a simple flower bed cleanup or a more comprehensive landscape renovation, understanding efficient work methods and basic design principles makes a real difference in results. The key is working with your property's specific conditions and choosing plants that thrive in North Texas.

At New Day Landscaping, we've helped over 100 local families create and maintain beautiful, functional landscapes using these same practical principles. We offer competitive prices and believe in working together long-term, which means we understand your property's needs and how to keep it looking great year-round.

If you're ready to tackle that landscape project you've been putting off, or if you want professional help maintaining what you've already got, we'd love to help. We serve homeowners throughout Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley, and we know exactly what works in our local conditions. Contact us today at (817) 760-0479 to schedule your consultation!