Commercial & Residential 817-454-9387

07 Jun

Posted at 11:52h in Landscaping

Plants are a great way to make your landscape look amazing and impress your neighbors. However, if you live in an area that doesn’t receive a lot of water, you may need to invest in plants that can live in that area. Fortunately, there are many drought-tolerant plants that you can use for your landscaping needs.

Continue reading to learn the best drought-tolerant plants that you can use while landscaping. The plant in this article will keep your landscape looking amazing even during a dry season.

Liriope

Liriope is an excellent plan for areas that don’t receive much water. The following are several benefits that you can expect when using liriope in your garden.

  • This plant will fill up a plant bed easily, so you don’t need too many of these plants to make the area look great.
  • This plant is highly tolerant of dry and hot conditions, making it excellent during a drought.
  • The white and purple flowers of this plant are eye-catching and can improve the look of your garden.

Most people like gardens full of flowers, and liriope well give your garden flowers even during drought season.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly

To add some bright colors to your garden during a drought, dwarf youpon holly is an excellent flower to add to your garden. You can expect the following benefits when adding Dwarf Yaupon Holly to your landscape.

  • This plant looks beautiful year-round because it will produce dark green foliage during the fall, and during the springtime, you can expect brighter colors.
  • This plant can handle high temperatures and lack of water.
  • People view the Dwarf Yaupon Holly as a formal plant, so you can significantly class up your landscape with this plant.

This plant can withstand drought, and we’ll have different colors throughout different seasons to keep your landscape looking amazing.

Autumn Sage

Autumn Sage is there a plan that is native and dry areas. This plant is fantastic for landscaping in areas that are prone to drought. You can expect the following benefits when adding autumn sage to your landscape.

  • Autumn sage is native to dry climates which makes it excellent during droughts.
  • There are several different color options to choose from when using autumn sage. However, most commonly, people use red flowers.
  • Autumn sage changes into a fantastic neutral piece you can add to your garden to complement other plants.

The best plant to add to a landscape that frequently experiences drought is a plant native to areas that experience drought regularly. Autumn Sage is an excellent option for landscaping during a drought.

Final Thoughts on the Best Plants to add to a Drought-Prone Landscape

Landscaping during drought season can be stressful for many people. However, many types of plants thrive in dry, hot weather. The best thing people can do when landscaping in hot climates is to use plants that are drought resistant. All of the plants on this list perform fantastic during drought season.

28 Apr

Posted at 09:01h in Sprinkler System

Your sprinkler system may be reliable in giving your grass plenty of water. When it’s shut off, the last thing it should ever do is leak. This guide will pinpoint the reasons why your sprinkler system is leaking.

This is an issue where you may end up wasting water and not know about it. It can also become costly if you are paying the bill every month. This guide should not only help you save water, but also money in the process.

If you want to ensure that your sprinkler system is not leaking, keep reading. With that said, let’s get started.

Sprinkler Head May Be Leaking

Among the many issues with a leaking sprinkler system, this may be the most common. The good news is, you can notice this fast. One of the reasons why this happens can be a crack or the head itself might be broken.

When this happens, you’ll see puddles of water forming or spurts of water. These sprinkler heads can be inadvertently damaged by vehicles driving over the grass or mower edges making contact. Another issue could be the usual wear and tear that comes with age.

Either way, it may be possible to replace it should the need arise. There really is no quick repair solution we can think of at this time.

Line Break

Another issue can be a line break. This may be due to constant pressure or the lateral line may have a break itself. Your sprinkler operates on pressurized water. A line break can happen due to several factors.

For one, it can be cracked or even nicked. It can be as simple as planting something and you accidentally damaged it with a gardening tool. You’ll want to determine if there is a line break, which may be done by seeing if you notice any water pooling in the area.

If it’s creating pools while the water system is shut off, that’s when you have a problem. No water should be leaking while the water system is off, period.

Leaking Valve

A valve leak can break down due to age. This may be one of those times when a leak can occur if the lines are in good condition. Keep in mind that in Texas, you may want the water pressure to run at about 100 PSI (even though most sprinkler systems operate at 50 PSI tops).

Final Thoughts

Your sprinkler system may be leaking and it could be due to one of these three issues. You’ll be more than pleased with it working and going through the motions in keeping your yard green and clean. Streamline Designs will fix your sprinkler system if you happen to have any issues.

If you need a new system installed, we’ll get the job done with our team of experts planning and placing it where it needs to be. If you want a greener and cleaner yard, call us today at 817-873-1999 and we’ll get the job done for you.

28 Apr

Posted at 08:58h in Landscaping

Your shrubs may give off that vibe that makes you stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. When is it a good time to replace them? We’ll unveil these in this quick guide.

It’s always important to keep your yard looking fresh year-round. Streamline Designs knows that you could be the envy of the neighborhood if you have fresh shrubs. So with that said, let’s go over the following signs that they need to be replaced as soon as possible.

If they have outgrown the area

Shrubs need to stay within a certain area when it comes to growth. Once it gets to a point where it goes beyond that, that’s when you may need to replace it. The good news is, you can prune the shrubs on a regular basis in order to control the growth.

You may notice branches growing to the point where it may block a doorway or window. Some of them may be wider and taller than usual. If they end up getting too big and can’t be trimmed down, that’s when replacing them will be the better option.

Underperforming shrubs?

If your shrubs don’t seem to be doing their usual job, then it may be time to replace them. What are the signs to look for in terms of those underperforming? These include but are not limited to leaves dropping prematurely, discoloration, failing to bloom or grow to full size, twig death, or dead spots found on leaves.

If you notice these, replace them as soon as possible. The common causes for this may include pests, environmental factors, and diseases. Some of these issues such as pests and diseases can be treatable.

However, by the time you notice any of it, it may be too late. Taking preventative measures is possible, but not always a guarantee.

Improper planting

Replacing your shrubs can be a possibility if they happen to be improperly planted. Homeowners make this mistake all the time. They plant it not knowing what the microclimate of the bed is.

This also includes how much sun, moisture, and wind that it gets. Keep in mind that some plants will need more sun than others. Likewise, other plants will need more shade and keep cool most of the time.

You’ll want to know the right plant and the right place and where to put it. That’s the rule of thumb to use going forward.

Final Thoughts

Like everything else, nothing lasts forever. The same goes for shrubs. It would be ideal to consider replacing them if you notice any of the three signs above.

The good news is, StreamLine Designs is your go-to place where you can get professional landscapers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to get the job done. If you are looking to make your yard look like the crown jewel of the neighborhood, you speak with us today.

Call us at 817-873-1999 and we’ll be happy to get you started with making your yard look great with beautiful, healthy-looking shrubs.

28 Apr

Posted at 08:54h in Landscaping

If you are looking to give your home some extra love, keep reading. This guide will show how lighting adds value to your yard. You’ll be amazed with how it will look when it’s lit up at night.

It’s up to you to make your yard look like the crown jewel of your neighborhood. Even at night, you may see people just stopping in their tracks and admiring how well-lit it is. We’ll discuss the ways it adds value so you can be in the mood to get the job done yourself (or via a professional).

If you love your yard and want an upgrade, keep reading. Let’s begin.

Your outdoor area is much brighter

If you want to make your yard look more appealing and brighter, lighting is the answer. It can be so bright that your kids can even play outside even when it’s dark outside. You can also have control over how bright it can get.

So you can adjust it to a much dimmer setting for something more intimate. You and your spouse could have an in-home date night and the lighting can help set the mood. Having this professionally installed will be possible if you want it to.

Highlights your landscaping

If you are landscaping on a regular basis, you want to show it off as much as you want. With lighting, you can enhance it to the point where it can still look aesthetically pleasing even at night. If you are looking for one more good reason why you want lighting installed, this could be it.

You can strategically place lights in part of your yard where you want to show off its best features. You may notice your neighbors staring at certain parts of your yard and wanting to model their own yard after yours. Don’t be surprised if that ever happens.

Safety first

Whether it’s to keep your family and guests safe or to deter criminals, lighting your yard may be the smartest thing to invest in. The more well-lit the area is, the less likely a criminal will be present.

Criminals will be attracted to dark areas. That’s because they know the homeowner is either sleeping or away from home. Even if you are on vacation, you can control the lighting from far away and make it look like your home the whole time.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to add value to your yard, having a lighting system installed may be your answer. Streamline Designs is your lighting installation experts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that will make it look more beautiful than ever.

When your yard is lit up at night, don’t be surprised if your neighbors or guests just stop and stare. You get plenty of benefits that you can possibly imagine with a lighting system that can be placed in the best parts of your yard. To get started, call us today at 817-873-1999 and we’ll get started on getting your yard looking better than ever at night. 

28 Apr

Posted at 08:49h in Landscaping

Crabgrass is a burden for many homeowners. It’s important that you learn how to prevent it when necessary. If you have any present, you must learn to control it.

This guide is your tool for crabgrass prevention and control. You can do this yourself or leave it to the professionals if the problem is too much. Crabgrass may be growing in your yard right now and you may not be aware of it.

By the time you finish reading this, you can decide which course of action is best for you. A small amount of crabgrass is manageable (unless it gets to be too much). Let’s dive right into this quick guide right now.

What to know about crabgrass?

Crabgrass is a weed that is grown on an annual basis. You will usually find it in areas where the soil is sandy and the climate has plenty of sun. Crabgrass will be grown in areas such as your driveways and sidewalks.

Likewise, any areas of your yard where insects may have inflicted damage will be susceptible to such growth. Crabgrass is identified for having leaves that are pointed and wide. They can be grown from a shared stem.

They are light green in appearance and will have nodes that are swollen and shaped like zig-zags. If the soil temperature is about 55 degrees, it will be a prime germination environment for them. If you are using a broadleaf weed control product, it won’t be effective against crabgrass.

How to prevent and control crabgrass

Here are some ideas to consider when preventing and controlling crabgrass:

Keep your lawn mowed and fertilized

This will be your best defense against crabgrass growth. As long as it’s mowed and fertilized on a regular basis, you will less likely encounter it.

Use a pre-emergent

The best time to apply a pre-emergent will be during the fall or early spring. You’ll want to do it before the seeds are able to germinate. It will create a barrier that will prevent crabgrass growth.

Keep in mind that raking and digging may break this barrier. So be careful when you are tending to your yard.

The good news is that many pre-emergents will be effective. However, some of them may be harmful to your health or the environment. It’s important to find one that may be eco friendly while not posing a threat to you.

Final Thoughts

If crabgrass is an issue, you can prevent it from growing. Likewise, you can also control a small amount if possible. If it gets to be too much, that’s when you need to call in the professionals.

Streamline Design is your crabgrass control experts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that will be perfect for getting the job done. The less crabgrass you have in your yard, the better. Plus, you’ll have a much healthier looking lawn than ever before.

Don’t take any chances. Call the experts that will handle all your crabgrass elimination needs. Call today at 817-873-1999 for more information. 

29 Mar

Posted at 11:26h in Landscaping

Texas is no stranger to droughts and dry lawns, and even in the wettest years, there are times when your lawn may dry out to the point of dehydration, which can end up damaging or even killing your lawn. It can happen from the daily heat, or it can happen as a result of even slight inattentiveness to the lawn’s needs.

Being able to tell when your lawn needs water and when it might be beneficial to make your grass tough it out is crucial for having a healthy lawn, year-round. Just watering periodically won’t be enough, here is everything you need to know about recognizing dehydration in your lawn, and what to do about it.

How To Tell If Your Lawn Is Dehydrated

You don’t have to be a botanist to tell if your lawn is a little dry. Some common indicators of a lawn that’s becoming dehydrated include:

  1. The footprint test. Step on a patch of your grass and see if the blades spring back up after a short while. If the footprint persists, your lawn is drying.
  2. Soil becoming crisp or shrinking away from edges is a sign of dehydration.
  3. Push a screwdriver into the soil and see how easily it penetrates. If the soil is too dry, the penetration will require significant effort.
  4. Keep an eye out for patchiness or dead spots on your lawn. This may be due to pests like grubs, but it can also be indicative of dehydration.

Preventing Dehydration…With A Little Dehydration

It might sound counterintuitive but watering your lawn in a cyclical pattern, allowing it to dry out a bit in between watering, helps it to push roots deeper. These deeper roots are insurance against dehydration during dry spells by giving the grass the ability to reach deeper moisture in the ground.

When Watering Works

Be sure you only water during the early morning or late evening, when the sun isn’t going to be beating down on your lawn, evaporating all the water. Water heavily in the early morning or late evening, and the water will have a chance to soak deeper into the soil.

Don’t Cut Too Often

Even if your grass grows quickly, be sure you don’t mow too often, particularly in the heat of midday. Cutting the grass and subsequently subjecting those tender, freshly-sliced blades to the midday sun of the Lone Star State can worsen the condition of the lawn by opening it up too much more evaporation, as well as increased stress.

Still Thirsty? Talk To A Pro

Sometimes, no matter what measures you take and how careful you are, you may not be able to keep your lawn from getting dehydrated. If you’re finding that even with being attentive to your lawn’s needs, watering carefully, and not cutting it too often that it is still looking a little dry, it might be time to work with a professional. Reach out to a local lawn care expert, and they will work with you to find a solution that keeps your lawn healthy and beautiful.

29 Mar

Posted at 11:23h in Landscaping

As the weather warms up and ice begins to melt, the neglect our lawns faced over the winter becomes apparent. When it comes down to it, cleaning things up and refreshing your yard is an important task if you want your lawn looking its best during the summer months.

Rake

Raking is a great way to gather up all types of debris scattered across your lawn, from leaves and sticks to pinecones, acorns, and any trash that may have blown in throughout the winter. You will need to go through and pick up any larger items, such as branches, but most things can be handled with a thorough raking.

Dethatch Your Turf

Thatch is a layer of both dead and living organic matter, like dead grass, bugs, etc., that accumulates between the grass blades and the soil. This layer can block sunlight, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots. Any thatch thicker than ½ inch should be removed in the summer when the grass is healthy.

Delay Aeration

When you’re doing your spring cleaning and working on getting your lawn looking nice before the warm weather really sets in, it can certainly be tempting to add aeration to your to-do list. Before you pull out your aerator, it’s important to know that spring is not the best time to aerate. You should do this during your turf’s peak growing season.

Soil Testing

Before you treat your soil or add any fertilizer, you should test the soil. Soil needs potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, but you can’t tell what ratio yours needs until you test it. A soil test can tell you:

  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Salt levels
  • pH imbalances
  • Factors that could hinder your turf’s growth

Fertilization

Whether you have cool or warm-season grasses, fertilizer is an important step in the maintenance of your lawn. Warm-season grasses should get their first application of nitrogen fertilizer after the grass is green and has been mowed 2 to 3 times. Cool-season grasses, on the other hand, should be fertilized in the fall.

Overseed Your Turf

If you want to keep the nice, thick carpet of grass in your yard, the trick is to spread your grass seed before thinning begins. Overseeding is an important step if you want to prevent bare spots. You should overseed cool-weather lawns between September and mid-October, while warm-weather grasses should be overseeded during the spring and early summer.

Application of Herbicide

For those that often deal with weeds, applying a chemical barrier to prevent growth is a great option. A pre-emergent herbicide will kill the weeds before they grow, while post-emergent herbicides kill any weeds that are already established.

Spread Mulch

If your lawn has flower beds, you’ll definitely want to spread some mulch. This helps with moisture control as well as helping to prevent the growth of weeds, plus organic mulch adds nutrients to your soil.

Mow the Lawn

Once your lawn has been raked and cleaned up, it’s time to run the lawnmower. Think of this as a fresh haircut for your lawn. Not only will it clean things up and make your yard look better, but regular lawn mowing also helps your grass grow thicker and healthier.

The Importance of Spring Lawn Care

If you want your lawn to look its best and stay healthy throughout the year, giving it some attention in the spring is the way to go. Whether you choose to do this work yourself or you employ the assistance of a lawn care professional, spring lawn care is something you don’t want to skip.

29 Mar

Posted at 11:19h in Landscaping, Sprinkler System

Making sure your lawn looks great not only improves your home’s curb appeal, but it can contribute to higher overall property values for your neighborhood. One of the keys to keeping your lawn looking its best is keeping it healthy, and one of the biggest factors in your lawn’s health is how effectively it’s watered.

Some people may not know this, but the best time to water your lawn is in the early morning or even the late evening. Early might mean different things to different people, but basically, it means watering before the sun begins its most powerful onslaught around 10:30-11:00 am. By this time, the temperature is too high and the sun’s intensity too great to water effectively, and doing so may even directly damage your lawn.

Temperature Matters

One of the primary reasons that you want to water in the early morning instead of any other time, is that the temperature will be the lowest. If you are in an area that cools off significantly in the evenings near sunset, this may also be a great time to get the sprinkler going.

Texas gets hot, there’s no way around that, and while watering your lawn in the heat of the day may seem to some like a great way to cool it off, it does the opposite. Watering during midday means you are wasting an incredible amount of water to evaporative loss.

Less Wind During The Morning & Evenings

During the early morning and the later evening, there tends to be much less wind than during the peak of the day. This is another reason that watering during these periods can be more effective than at other times. In general, the wind isn’t going to be blowing hard enough to disrupt your watering, but in some cases, a constant wind or breeze can prevent the water from falling where it needs to.

Water More Before Dry Spells

If you happen to be looking at the weather and it looks like you’re going to be hitting a dry spell, be sure you water heavily for the weeks and days leading up to the drought. This will give the water a chance to soak into the soil more deeply, helping to provide a source of moisture during the long dry periods.

If Your Lawn Looks Thirsty Don’t Overwater

Letting your lawn dry out a little bit before you water helps the grass to develop deeper root structures, which are important for lawns to be able to survive long dry spells. If you happen to notice your lawn is looking a little dry, after a particularly sunny and hot day, for example, let it go for another day or so before you give it a good drenching. Your grass will push roots deeper and will survive the dry intervals better.

Work With Local Lawn Experts

If you think you may be having an issue keeping your law properly hydrated, you may want to consult with a local lawn care expert. Reach out today to discuss options for keeping your lawn looking its best, such as watering and feeding needs.

29 Mar

Posted at 11:04h in Landscaping

Even people that love their dogs like children, could generally live without the chore of picking up the poop when the deed is done. This chore can be even more taxing if the homeowner doesn’t own dogs, and the messes are the result of someone else not picking up after their pup. Either way, not dealing with the waste can have serious effects on both your lawn and potentially even your health.

Bacterial & Viral Content

Dog poop has millions of bacterial and viral components that can pose a risk to that dog and others, as well as to humans. Some of the organisms present in dog poop include several varieties of worms, giardia, coccidia, parvovirus, coronavirus, salmonella, e. coli, and campylobacteriosis.

Parvovirus is extremely dangerous and can even be fatal to dogs. Pests like worms, giardia, salmonella, and e. coli can even be transmitted to humans, causing serious illnesses. These organisms are best prevented by promptly disposing of the waste, as they can survive outside for some time.

Dog Poop Attracts Pests & Vermin

In addition to the microscopic travelers that are on and in dog poop, there are countless other pests and vermin that are attracted to the poop, or to the things that are attracted to the poop. This starts with flies and can often include small omnivores like mice and other rodents. These animals can often carry risks and diseases of their own, compounding potential exposure risks.

It Destroys The Appearance Of Your Lawn

Leaving dog poop on the lawn for extended periods can result in physical damage to your lawn. This only starts with the very obvious appearance of dog poop sitting on your lawn for extended periods. It can eventually begin to yellow your lawn in the spots where it sits, and the longer it sits the more damage it does, eventually killing the grass in the most common spots.

How To Minimize The Dangers

While the biggest solution is probably just to pick up the waste, there are some other solutions for those that either doesn’t have the time, ability, or want to deal with the mess.

  1. Scooping the messes when they happen takes a lot of burden off of “future you”. It’s also the cheapest and quickest way to address the issue.
  2. Using diatomaceous earth can minimize the number of parasites and pests that result from pet waste.
  3. Less eco-friendly alternatives to diatomaceous earth include chemicals and pesticides that can be sprayed on the lawn, though these may have safety risks for pets.
  4. For those that don’t have a convenient place to dispose of the poop, installing an in-ground digester may be a simple solution, though it will have a slightly larger price tag than other methods.
  5. Be sure to keep your pup away from other dogs’ feces, particularly in public areas like the dog park.

Lean On Professionals

Sometimes, for whatever reason, it’s easier to lean on a local professional to help you with the yard cleanup. If the problems are still relatively “fresh” there are pickup services that you may be able to rely on consistently.

However, if the problem has had time to age, you may be seeing the effects and damage that it’s done to your yard, in which case you may want to have a lawn care professional come out to see if other methods can be used to rehabilitate your lawn.

03 Mar

Posted at 15:00h in Landscaping

Your lawn requires a bit of care to keep it looking nice. This care should be considered based on the season in your area. While mowing is typically associated primarily with the spring and summer months, there are best practices to consider for every season.

You may not actually have to mow year around. However, it’s a good idea to be familiar with how to mow, when to mow, and what to do during off-season for mowing.

In this guide, we will walk you through all of the seasons and what you should plan for when it comes to mowing.

Scheduled Mowing

During the seasons where mowing needs to happen regularly, it’s a good idea to establish a mowing routine. We know you might not always be able to mow exactly on the same day or the same time but you should be able to plan pretty close.

How often you need to mow really depends on your lawn and your grass. Some types of grass should be cut shorter than others so you might also familiarize yourself with the type of grass your lawn has.

Some grasses do require mowing all year long but this is not the norm.

If you’re curious how often to mow, here’s a good rule of thumb for you. Typically, grass should be mowed to approximately 3 inches in height. Mowing it too short can be really hard on the grass. Of course, keeping it too long is simply not visually appealing.

Depending on your climate, you can probably set up a mowing schedule that handles the mowing every other week.

If your area gets a lot of rainfall or has a rainy season, you may need to mow more often during those seasons. The rain will cause the grass to grow much faster.

Off-Season Lawn Care

When you are getting close to the end of your typically mowing season, you should mow in such a way to prepare for this.

In most cases, you will be able to tell when you’re nearing the last mow of the summer. When you mow for the last time of the season, cut the grass just slightly shorter to prepare for your off-season.

This means rather than 3 inches, you might mow to a 2-inch grass height instead. For this final mow, we also recommend bagging the grass as you go. This will help keep your lawn from gathering more debris during the off months.

In the off-season you will not mow your lawn. However, you might need to mulch leaves or clear leaves from the yard. You can do this with your mower to make it easier. Mulching the leaves or cleaning them up allows your lawn to get important nutrients that it needs to survive.

StreamLine Designs All-Season Lawn Care

Lawn care is not just for spring and summer. While this is the mowing season, there are things to be done all year. We can help care for your lawn in every season and base that care about what your lawn needs in the season.

Get your quote for lawn care today.