Landscaper glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a landscaper provider in Austin TX.
- What are chinch bugs?
- Chinch bugs are small black and white insects that pierce grass blades to feed on plant sap, causing yellowing and dead patches in St. Augustine lawns, especially during hot, dry weather.
- What are Hunter and Rain Bird sprinkler heads?
- Hunter and Rain Bird are the dominant manufacturers of sprinkler heads used in Austin landscapes, offering spray, rotor, and rotary nozzle models for different yard zones.
- What are permeable pavers?
- Permeable pavers are paving materials designed to allow water to pass through the surface or joints rather than running off, reducing stormwater runoff and meeting impervious cover requirements.
- What is a backflow preventer?
- A backflow preventer is a mechanical valve installed on irrigation systems to stop contaminated water from flowing backward into the main potable water supply.
- What is a heat zone (AHS)?
- The American Horticultural Society (AHS) heat zone system ranks plants from 1 to 12 based on the average number of days per year that temperatures exceed 86°F, helping gardeners select species suited to regional summer heat.
- What is a pre-emergent herbicide?
- A pre-emergent herbicide is a chemical applied to soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating before they break through the surface.
- What is a rain sensor?
- A rain or moisture sensor is a device that automatically shuts off an irrigation system when rainfall or soil moisture reaches a set level, as required by Texas law on automatic sprinkler systems.
- What is a retaining wall (gravity vs engineered)?
- A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil on slopes. Gravity walls use their own weight to stay stable, while engineered walls require structural calculations and building permits, particularly needed for taller or steeper applications common on Austin properties.
- What is a smart irrigation controller?
- A WiFi-connected irrigation controller that automatically adjusts watering schedules based on real-time weather data, evapotranspiration rates, and soil conditions to optimize water use.
- What is aeration (lawn)?
- Aeration is the mechanical process of creating holes or removing small cores of soil from a lawn to reduce compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient movement to grass roots.
- What is an irrigation zone?
- An irrigation zone is a section of a sprinkler system controlled by a single valve, grouped by similar plant types and water requirements to deliver appropriate moisture to each area.
- What is Bermuda grass?
- Bermuda grass is a warm-season turf grass prized for its tolerance of heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic, commonly used on Austin lawns and sports fields.
- What is Blackland Prairie soil?
- Blackland Prairie soil is a heavy clay soil native to parts of the Austin area that expands when wet and shrinks when dry, creating challenges for landscaping and construction drainage.
- What is caliche?
- Caliche is a dense, cement-like layer of calcium carbonate that forms in soil, common in the Austin area, which restricts water drainage and root penetration.
- What is dethatching?
- Dethatching is the process of mechanically removing thatch, the layer of dead grass, roots, and organic debris that accumulates between living grass and soil.
- What is drip irrigation?
- Drip irrigation is a watering system that delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone of plants through small tubes or emitters, minimizing runoff and evaporation.
- What is grub control?
- Grub control is the treatment of white grub larvae that feed on grass roots in turf, causing brown patches and lawn damage in summer months.
- What is hardiness zone 8b?
- Hardiness zone 8b is a USDA plant hardiness classification indicating regions with average annual winter minimum temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which determines what plants survive outdoors without winter protection in that climate.
- What is hardscape?
- Hardscape comprises the permanent, non-plant elements of a landscape, such as patios, decks, walls, walkways, and water features, that provide structure and functionality to outdoor areas.
- What is softscape?
- Softscape comprises the living, planted elements of a landscape, such as trees, shrubs, turf, perennials, and groundcovers, as opposed to constructed hardscape features.
- What is St. Augustine grass?
- St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turf variety well-suited to Central Texas climates, characterized by broad leaves and shade tolerance but susceptible to chinch bugs and gray leaf spot disease.
- What is take-all root rot?
- Take-all root rot is a fungal disease caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis that destroys the roots and rhizomes of grass, particularly affecting St. Augustine lawns in warm, humid climates like Texas.
- What is xeriscaping?
- Xeriscaping is a water-efficient landscaping approach that uses drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and soil management to reduce irrigation needs.
- What is zoysia grass?
- Zoysia is a warm-season grass species that forms a dense turf, tolerates heat and drought well, but grows more slowly than bermuda and St. Augustine grasses common to Central Texas.