Where to begin?

• Read the Landscape Design fact sheet
• Get a map of your property
• Evaluate your site
• Check  soil depth and type
• Amend the soil, if needed
• Consider raised beds
• Identify underground utilities (call 811)
• Come up with a plan
• Save existing desirable plants
• Plan to keep water on the land
• Make informed plant choices
• Use native and well-adapted species
• Avoid invasive plants
• Use a diversity of species
• Plant native species to attract wildlife
• Visit local gardens for inspiration
• Consult the Landscape Design templates

Featured Programs & services

• Rain Garden fact sheet
• Irrigation fact sheet
• Award-Winning Green Gardens
• Hiring a Landscaping Professional

Home Landscaping

• Planning the Home Landscape (Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service)
• Landscaping for Energy Conservation (Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service)
• Landscape for Water Conservation (Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service)

Low Impact Development (LID)

• The Low Impact Development Center home page
• LID Urban Design Tools (EPA Office of Water)
• Low Impact Development (US EPA Polluted Runoff)
• The Center for Watershed Protection
• Technical Criteria Manuals for the City of Austin Land Development Code
• Environmental Criteria Manual, Water Quality Management Section (City of Austin) especially section 1.6.0 – Design Guidelines for Water Quality Controls.
• Stormwater - A Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals

Rainwater Harvesting

• The Rainwater Manual on Rainwater Harvesting (Texas Water Development Board)
• Artful Rainwater Design

Wildlife Habitats

• Audubon
• Backyard Butterflies (KLRU)
• Best of Texas Backyard Wildlife Habitats (Texas Parks & Wildlife & National Wildlife Federation) National Wildlife Federation
• Travis Audubon
• Wildlife Austin (City of Austin Parks & Recreation)
• Wildscapes (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
• Create a Backyard Habitat