Landscaping in Boerne

Caliche, everywhere. Most Boerne lots have a thin layer of dark soil over a hard, white, chalky layer of calcium carbonate, then limestone. Water doesn't drain through caliche, and roots can't push into it. We break it up in planting areas, plant in wide shallow holes rather than deep narrow ones, and choose plants that like alkaline, rocky ground: cenizo, Texas sage, agarita, Lindheimer muhly, mountain laurel.

Slopes are the norm, often 10 to 15 feet of fall across a backyard. That's why retaining walls, terraces and steps make up so much of our Boerne work, and why we always shoot levels before drawing anything. Terracing with two or three walls under 4 feet usually costs about the same as one tall engineered wall and looks more natural.

Deer are the other constant. Boerne has dense deer populations even inside city limits. Every plant list we write for Boerne is built around what deer leave alone, and young trees get cages for their first two falls.

Cordillera Ranch, Esperanza, Tapatio Springs and many newer subdivisions have architectural standards covering stone, colors, fence types and lighting. Several limit outdoor lighting to protect the night sky, which suits how we light anyway: warm, shielded and aimed down or into trees.

The City of Boerne sets its own drought stages and outdoor watering schedules, and many rural properties are on private wells under the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. Either way, summer watering is limited. We design Boerne yards on drip, with native planting that needs little once established, and set controllers to your current stage.