13-13-13 Fertilizer-Good or Bad?

Is 13-13-13 fertilizer good or bad for Central Texas soils? If you garden in Central Texas, you’ve probably seen bags of “all-purpose” fertilizer labeled 13-13-13 and wondered if it’s a safe default. It isn’t—and in our region, it can actually make things worse. Our Soils Aren’t a Blank Slate Most soils across the Hill Country and surrounding areas are naturally alkaline and already high in phosphorus (P). This comes from the underlying limestone geology and years of fertilizer use. A soil test from Texas A&M Soil Testing Lab will often [...]

By |2026-04-15T15:09:25-05:00April 15th, 2026|Ornamental Trees, Native Plants, Palms, Trees, Plants, Lawn Care, Vegetable Gardening|
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Do you need advice on what to plant in Central Texas?

If you need advice on what to plant in a specific location of your landscape in Central Texas, there are several key pieces of information that you need to bring to the experts at Backbone in order to receive a recommendation that will thrive in your landscape. Let's go over the information to consider before choosing a tree, shrub or perennial plant for you landscape. What type of soil are you planting in? Central Texas has a variety of soil types, and each one has its own specific properties. Does [...]

By |2026-03-15T08:50:32-05:00March 15th, 2026|Ornamental Trees, Native Plants, Yucca and Agave, Trees, Plants, Fruit & Nuts, Disease|
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Compost Isn’t the Whole Story

🌱 Compost Isn’t the Whole Story: Building Healthy Soils in Central Texas If you’ve spent any time gardening in Central Texas, you already know our soils can be…challenging. From alkaline clays to rocky Hill Country ground, growing healthy plants often starts with improving what’s under your feet. One of the best tools we have is compost—but it’s not a complete solution on its own. Let’s break down what compost really does in your soil—and why fertilizers still play an important supporting role. 🌿 What Compost Does for Your Soil Compost [...]

By |2026-02-26T08:01:21-06:00February 26th, 2026|Vegetable Gardening, Disease, Plants, Native Plants|
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Ground Covers for the Shade in Central Texas

Do you need a ground cover that will thrive in the shade? Choosing a ground cover for the shade requires additional information. It is important to choose a ground cover that will thrive in the conditions that it will be living in. Remember to consider soil type, soil drainage and irrigation capabilities for the best long term outcome.      Asian Jasmine    Trachelospermum asiaticum This evergreen vine, native to Japan and Korea, grows 6"-18" tall and spreads about 3' wide. It will grow in sun or shade and is drought [...]

By |2025-12-29T11:18:45-06:00December 29th, 2025|Plants, Native Plants|
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Lace Bugs on Texas Persimmon

Are your Texas Persimmon trees looking sickly and dropping leaves? Many customers have reported that their Texas Persimmon trees are looking worse for wear in the heat of the summer. Not unexpectedly, Lace Bugs are showing up on Texas Persimmon this summer. The leaves appear "mottled" from the insects feeding on the undersides of the leaves with their sucking mouthparts. If you inspect the undersides of the leaves you will see little black "dots", which are the insect's excrement. This insect is tiny but visible to the naked eye. It [...]

By |2025-12-28T14:34:20-06:00December 28th, 2025|Insects, Plants, Native Plants|
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Perennials for the Shade in Central Texas

Finding perennials for the shade, or even part shade can be challenging at times. While this list is a compilation of plants that do well in "dappled" shade, I have included a few that will tolerate a few hours of morning sun and even a few that will tolerate sun "or" shade. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which will work best in the amount of shade that you are planting in. Pay attention to the "summer sun" conditions where you are planting for best results.   Chinese Ground [...]

By |2025-12-29T13:03:48-06:00May 26th, 2025|Plants, Native Plants|
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How to Check Soil Drainage

Why is it important to know how well your soil drains before choosing a tree, shrub or perennial for a specific area? Soil drainage is important to consider before choosing a plant for a specific area in your landscape. Knowing how well your soil drains could mean the difference between the plant "thriving or surviving". What are the different types of drainage to consider? Surface drainage is related to the slope of the land and is important to consider when choosing what species to plant. Plants at the bottom of [...]

By |2026-03-15T09:30:05-05:00October 18th, 2022|Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees, Succulents and Cacti, Native Plants, Ornamental Trees|
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