Frequently Asked Questions

Caliche is a compacted limestone layer that blocks drainage and root penetration. Without site-specific soil amendment and grading, plants fail and hardscape shifts within one season. Design plans must account for caliche depth and permeability before installation begins.

A design plan includes rendered visuals showing the finished space, site-matched plant species selections for your specific soil and sun exposure, hardscape layout with proper base preparation specs, and material choices calibrated to Austin's climate. You see the space before ground is broken.

Design happens first, before any installation decisions are made. The same crew that creates your plan executes the build, eliminating handoff gaps. Ongoing maintenance is scoped to the specific plants installed, not a generic rotation schedule.

Austin's expansive clay soil shifts with moisture changes, undermining poorly prepared bases. Proper depth and compaction methodology prevent the cracking and settling that turn a hardscape into a five-year repair cycle instead of a twenty-year structure.

Skipping sub-grade prep on caliche prevents roots from establishing before heat stress hits. Sod variety must match sun exposure and irrigation availability—one-grass-fits-all installs brown out by August. Proper soil depth and timing are non-negotiable for survival.

Species selection is based on your site's actual soil profile, sun exposure, and microclimate—not a catalog pick. Caliche and clay require bed preparation and amended soil mixes tailored to each plant's root structure and water needs.

Native Austin limestone requires mortar mixes and joint techniques calibrated for hard freezes and summer heat cycles. Using standard imported-stone methods causes cracking through temperature swings. Material knowledge specific to Hill Country stone is essential for longevity.

Material selection drives cost—pavers, flagstone, and concrete perform differently under Austin's sun and freeze cycles. Lot orientation and shade analysis determine surface type. Base preparation depth for clay soil adds cost but prevents future failure.

Oak wilt season runs roughly February through June—pruning during this window exposes trees to fungal spread through beetles attracted to fresh cuts. Maintenance schedules must account for Central Texas plant health cycles, not generic seasonal calendars.

Recirculation systems must account for Austin's high evaporation rate and drought-period water restrictions. Flash flood season requires overflow management built into the design. Without engineering, decorative ponds dry up in July or flood in May.

Design creates the site-specific plan based on soil conditions, sun exposure, and Hill Country terrain—you see rendered visuals before installation. Installation executes that plan with proper grading, soil amendment, and species placement. One informs the other.

Layout, material coordination, and flow must be planned together—not bolted on after hardscape is poured. Austin's near-year-round outdoor climate means these spaces function as rooms, requiring intentional programming for usability and durability.