Landscaping in North Texas
Lawn care, landscape design, irrigation, tree service, and outdoor living.
Average cost: $100–$300/month for lawn maintenance; $3,000–$15,000+ for landscape installation
Landscaping and lawn care contractors in North Texas provide a broad range of services including lawn maintenance and mowing, landscape design and installation, irrigation system installation and repair, tree trimming and removal, sod installation, mulching, seasonal color planting, and outdoor kitchen and living space construction. The North Texas climate — with hot, dry summers and occasional late-season freezes — creates specific landscaping challenges and opportunities.
Landscaping FAQs
- What grass grows best in North Texas?
- Bermuda grass is the most popular warm-season grass in North Texas for full-sun areas, offering drought tolerance and good traffic resistance. Zoysia grass is another excellent warm-season option with finer texture and better shade tolerance. St. Augustine grass works well in shadier areas. All of these grasses go dormant (brown) in winter but return in spring. Cool-season grasses like fescue are sometimes used in shaded areas.
- When should I water my lawn in North Texas?
- In North Texas, the best time to water is early morning (5–8 AM), which minimizes evaporation and fungal disease risk. Most established lawns need 1–1.5 inches of water per week during summer, either from rain or irrigation. During droughts, water-wise landscapes with drought-tolerant native plants require significantly less irrigation. Many North Texas municipalities enforce watering restrictions, particularly during summer.
- How much does landscaping cost in the DFW area?
- Basic lawn maintenance (mow, edge, blow) for a typical DFW home typically costs $40–$80 per visit. Full landscape installation projects — including design, plant materials, irrigation, and hardscape — typically start at $5,000 and can exceed $50,000 for extensive projects. Irrigation system installation for an average-sized lot runs $3,000–$6,000.
- What plants do well in North Texas heat?
- Native and adapted plants that thrive in North Texas include Texas sage (Leucophyllum), salvia varieties, ornamental grasses like Gulf muhly and Lindheimer's muhly, Black-eyed Susan, coneflower (Echinacea), crape myrtles, live oaks, cedar elms, and vitex. These plants are adapted to the region's alkaline soils, summer drought conditions, and occasional hard freezes.
- Do I need an irrigation system in North Texas?
- While not strictly required, an in-ground irrigation system is highly recommended for North Texas homeowners with lawns, as manual watering is impractical during the long, hot summer months. A properly designed and programmed irrigation system can actually conserve water compared to hand watering by delivering water at optimal times and quantities. Texas law requires all new irrigation systems to be designed and installed by a licensed irrigator.