Your Austin Lawn Is Fighting a Losing Battle
Another triple-digit summer, another dead St. Augustine lawn. You've spent hundreds on watering, fertilizer, and reseeding—watching your grass brown while the neighbor's wildflower garden thrives with zero effort.
The real cost of waiting: Keep fighting nature with non-native plants, and you'll drain thousands on water bills and chemical treatments while your landscape struggles through every drought cycle.
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Get Free QuotesWhy Austin native planting requires local knowledge
- Understanding Austin's 18-24 inches of annual rainfall and designing drought-adapted plantings that thrive between storms
- Selecting species suited to Austin's alkaline clay and caliche soils—Texas Sage, Blackfoot Daisy, and native grasses that actually perform here
- Navigating City of Austin water restrictions and qualifying for WaterWise rebates up to $1,500 on native landscape conversions
- Designing pollinator corridors that connect with Austin's 35+ miles of urban trails and green spaces for maximum ecological impact
Austin cost factors to budget for
Questions to ask Austin contractors
Use these to separate experienced local pros from generalists who don't know the area.
- 1 Do you have experience with City of Austin WaterWise rebate documentation?
- 2 How do you handle our heavy clay and caliche—amend or work with native soil?
- 3 What's your plant sourcing—local native nurseries or big-box imports?
Best time to start
Plant September through November when fall rains help establish roots before summer stress. Spring plantings (February-April) work but require more irrigation through the first summer.
Popular in these Austin neighborhoods
Organic & Native Planting questions from Austin homeowners
Frequently asked questions
Which Austin neighborhoods have HOA restrictions on native gardens?
Steiner Ranch and Circle C often require design approval for front-yard conversions. Many Austin HOAs now encourage natives—but your installer should submit plans showing intentional design with defined beds and borders to ensure approval.
Can I get Austin Water rebates for removing my lawn?
Yes! The WaterWise Landscape Rebate offers $1/sq ft (up to $1,500) for converting turf to water-efficient plants. Your contractor should provide before/after photos and plant lists required for rebate processing.
What native plants survive Austin's clay soil without amendments?
Flame Acanthus, Mealy Blue Sage, and Lindheimer's Muhly actually prefer our alkaline clay. Good installers avoid over-amending—these natives evolved here and perform better in native soil than imported topsoil.
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