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|Vegetable Gardening, Lawn Care, Plants, Trees, Palms, Native Plants, Ornamental Trees|
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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|Disease, Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees, Yucca and Agave, Native Plants, Ornamental Trees|
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Hard Freeze Preparation in Central Texas

Prepare for a Hard Freeze in Central Texas: A Gardener’s Guide As a horticulturist in Central Texas, I know one thing for sure—our weather keeps us on our toes. Sudden temperature swings are common, and winter forecasts can change quickly. When a hard freeze is predicted, the best approach is simple: prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Current forecasts show lows between 15°F and 25°F, with below-freezing temperatures lasting up to 60 hours or more in some areas. Low-lying valleys often drop colder than higher elevations. Because [...]

By |2026-01-21T14:59:45-06:00January 11th, 2024|Vegetable Gardening, Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees, Houseplants, Succulents and Cacti, Yucca and Agave, Palms, Ornamental Trees|
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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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