DFW Landscaping for Extreme Weather | North Texas Plant Guide

“If you don't like the weather in Texas, just stick around a minute. It'll change.” I have also heard that with the unpredictable nature of weather forecasting, the most accurate way to predict Texas weather may be to own a weather rock. If the rock is dry, it's sunny. If the rock is wet, it's raining. If you can't see the rock, it's foggy. If the rock is moving, it's windy. And if the rock is gone... there may have been a tornado. It's funny because anyone who has lived here long enough understands the point. North Texas weather can change fast. For homeowners, however, those weather extremes have a serious side. They play a major role in determining whether your landscaping survives and thrives—or whether you find yourself replacing plants over and over again. 🌱 New to North Texas? Don't landscape like you still live somewhere else. Plants…

Deer-Resistant Plants for North Texas and Fort Worth Landscapes

Deer-Resistant Plants for North Texas and Fort Worth Landscapes By Matt Cook Looking for landscape plants that deer are less likely to eat? Homeowners throughout Fort Worth and North Texas often struggle with deer browsing, armadillo damage, grubs, heat, drought, and changing drainage patterns. Choosing the right plants—and placing them in the right conditions—can make your landscape more attractive, resilient, and easier to maintain. As North Texas continues to develop, roads, rooftops, parking lots, neighborhoods, and commercial construction change how water moves across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Development also affects wildlife habitat and animal behavior. Deer, armadillos, and other animals increasingly use greenbelts, creek corridors, utility easements, rights-of-way, and drainage channels as pathways through our communities. For homeowners, this can mean more wildlife visiting lawns and flower beds in search of food, water, insects, and shelter. The good news is that thoughtful North Texas landscape design can reduce damage while…

Rules I Have Learned in Landscaping | Expert North Texas Landscaping Tips

By Matt Cook After designing and installing North Texas landscapes throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding DFW area for years, I’ve discovered one simple truth: "Plants don't fail because they're bad plants—they fail because they're planted in the wrong place." A successful landscape isn't about buying the most expensive shrubs or flowers. It's about understanding your property, your sunlight, your soil, and choosing plants that naturally thrive there. Whether you’re planning a new North Texas landscape design, refreshing an older flower bed, or trying to understand why plants are not thriving, these are the landscaping rules I come back to again and again. 🌿 Rule #1 – Put the Right Plant in the Right Place This is the single most important lesson in landscaping. Before choosing a plant, ask yourself: Ask Yourself Why It Matters How much morning sun does this area receive? Morning sun is much gentler than afternoon…

Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller & Lighting | North Texas

Smart Irrigation and Landscape Lighting in North Texas Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller and Landscape Lighting for North Texas Homes Upgrade your sprinkler system and outdoor lighting with smart technology installed by Peterson’s Landscape. Request a Free Estimate Are your controllers stuck in the 1900s? Technology has changed nearly every part of our homes, yet many North Texas homeowners are still using irrigation controllers that were designed decades ago. If your sprinkler controller requires constant manual adjustments every time the weather changes, it may be time for an upgrade. Peterson's Landscaping is excited to announce our partnership with Rachio, one of the industry's leading smart irrigation controller manufacturers. We've trusted smart irrigation technology for years, and after seeing Rachio's performance during this summer's extreme Texas heat, we're confident it's one of the best solutions available for homeowners. Even better, Rachio now integrates smart landscape lighting, allowing you to control both your…

Maintenance-Free Landscaping? The Truth Every North Texas Homeowner Should Know

By Matt Cook Many homeowners ask us if there is such a thing as maintenance-free landscaping. The honest answer? No. Every landscape requires maintenance. The key isn't eliminating maintenance—it's choosing the right materials and plants that fit your lifestyle and reduce the amount of work required over the years. Table of Contents Why Landscaping Is Like Painting the Golden Gate Bridge Does Maintenance-Free Landscaping Exist? Rock Flower Beds: Pros & Cons Mulch vs. Rock The Closest Thing to Maintenance-Free Landscaping Native Texas Plants Make Life Easier Which Option Is Best For You? Frequently Asked Questions Why Landscaping Is Like Painting the Golden Gate Bridge Have you ever noticed that as soon as one home project is finished, another one appears? The fence needs staining. The sprinkler needs repairing. The gutters need cleaning. The flower beds need attention. Owning a home often feels like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. The story…

If You Give Chinch Bugs an Inch, They’ll Take the Whole Yard!

Don't Give Chinch Bugs an Inch... ...or they'll take the whole yard. Call Peterson's Landscaping today for professional lawn and irrigation diagnostics. How to Identify and Stop Chinch Bug Damage in North Texas Lawns Is your lawn turning brown even though you're watering it? Before you increase your sprinkler run times, you may have a pest problem instead of an irrigation problem. During the hot, dry months in North Texas, one of the most destructive lawn pests begins to thrive—chinch bugs. These tiny insects can destroy large sections of healthy St. Augustine grass in just a matter of days if left untreated. At Peterson's Landscaping, we frequently receive calls from homeowners who believe their irrigation system has failed, only to discover the real culprit is chinch bug damage. What Are Chinch Bugs? Although chinch bugs are only about 1/5 of an inch long, they can cause extensive damage to your…

North Texas Watering Guide | Sprinkler Run Times & Irrigation Tips | Peterson’s Landscaping

The Complete Guide to Watering Your Lawn, Landscape & Irrigation System Keeping your landscape healthy in North Texas isn't just about watering more—it's about watering correctly. Every irrigation system is different, and watering schedules should be adjusted based on your sprinkler type, soil conditions, sun exposure, slope, and current weather. At Peterson's Landscaping, we've serviced irrigation systems throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for years. The recommendations below provide an excellent starting point for most residential irrigation systems. Recommended Irrigation Run Times Irrigation Component Recommended Run Time Why It Works 🌿 Spray Heads 20 Minutes2 Days Per Week Spray heads deliver a high volume of water quickly and generally require shorter watering cycles than rotor heads. 💧 Rotor Heads 40 Minutes Rotor heads rotate slowly while applying water at a lower precipitation rate, requiring longer run times for proper coverage. 🌱 MP Rotators 50 Minutes MP Rotators are extremely water-efficient but…

Prepare Your Sprinkler System for North Texas Summer Heat

As the summer heat settles into North Texas, your irrigation system needs to keep up. If you live anywhere from Fort Worth west of Highway 360 to Denton, Aledo, Burleson, Azle, Weatherford, or surrounding DFW communities, now is the time to adjust your sprinkler timers. Too little water can stress your lawn and landscape. Too much water can cause root rot, fungus, and plant decline. Finding the balance is critical. At Petersons Landscape, we help homeowners across DFW keep their landscapes healthy through proper irrigation scheduling, sprinkler repairs, and smart controller upgrades. Recommended Summer Sprinkler Run Times As temperatures rise, here are our general summer watering recommendations: Spray heads: 20 minutes Rotor heads: 40 minutes Drip irrigation: 50 minutes New sod: Water daily until fully rooted These are general guidelines, but every property is different based on sun exposure, soil type, slope, and plant material. How to Tell if Your…

Expert Artificial Turf Installation in Fort Worth, TX

Do you have a trouble spot in your yard where grass just won’t grow? Maybe it’s heavy shade under large trees, constant foot traffic, or bare patches that never seem to stay green. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—this is one of the most common landscaping issues homeowners face across Dallas, Fort Worth, Keller, Southlake, and surrounding North Texas areas. The good news? There’s a long-term solution that looks great year-round. Click to see more information about artificial turf. Turn Problem Areas into Beautiful, Green Spaces Instead of constantly reseeding or fighting dead patches, you can transform those difficult areas into a lush, clean, low-maintenance space with professional artificial turf installation. 👉 View this real project example here: Artificial turf is ideal for: Shaded areas where natural grass struggles High-traffic zones that wear down quickly Spaces with poor soil conditions Homeowners wanting a clean, always-green lawn Why Artificial Turf…

Drainage Solutions in Fort Worth, TX | Peterson’s Landscaping

Changes in landscaping—especially on neighboring or uphill properties—can significantly impact how water flows across your yard. At Peterson’s Landscaping, we help homeowners in Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas areas understand and manage stormwater runoff before it becomes a costly problem. Before investing in new landscaping, it’s critical to evaluate your property’s drainage. Our experienced team can assess your yard and design a customized solution that protects your home, lawn, and foundation. Professional Drainage Assessment & Custom Solutions When you need a drain, you need a drain done right. Our team specializes in custom drainage solutions in Fort Worth, tailored to your property’s specific needs. We evaluate: Water flow patterns Low spots and pooling areas Soil conditions Runoff from neighboring properties Then we create a plan to effectively move water away from your home and landscape. Types of Drainage Systems We Install French Drain Surface Drain French Drains French drains…