Built for Central Texas clay, heat and drought.
Landscape design, construction and lawn care from a family-owned crew in North Austin. The people who design your yard are the people who build it.
- Since
- Serving Austin since 2011
- Crew
- One crew, no subcontractors
- Licensed
- Texas irrigation license LI 5842
- Owned
- Family owned and local
Design, build and care, from one crew.
Since 2011 we've designed, built and looked after outdoor spaces across the Austin area.
What's under a River Rock patio
A patio or wall is only as good as what's underneath it. Here's what we put there.
Stone surface
Flagstone or pavers, set tight and level so they stay that way.
Bedding layer
A thin, screeded bed that lets every stone sit flat.
Crushed-stone base
Excavated, then compacted in layers. This is what keeps a patio from shifting or sinking.
Landscape fabric
Keeps the base from working down into the clay, and keeps weeds out.
Graded clay
Central Texas clay swells when it's wet and cracks when it's dry. We grade it so water runs away from your foundation.
French drain
Where water still collects, a gravel trench and perforated pipe carry it somewhere useful.
Your yard, month by month
What a Central Texas yard needs this month and over the next year. Timing shifts with the weather, so treat it as a guide.
OctoberThis month
- The best month to plant trees, shrubs and perennials here.
- Roots grow all winter while the tops rest.
November
- Plant cool-season color.
- Insulate the irrigation backflow preventer before the first freeze.
December
- Turn irrigation down or off; water before a hard freeze.
- Good time for dormant pruning and drainage fixes.
January
- Prune shade trees while they're dormant. Oaks are safest to prune now, before oak wilt season starts in February.
- Water only during long dry spells.
February
- Apply pre-emergent for spring weeds as the soil warms.
- Cut back ornamental grasses and frozen perennials.
March
- Turn irrigation back on and check every zone for broken heads.
- Plant warm-season color once the frost risk passes.
April
- First lawn feeding, once the grass has greened up and been mowed twice.
- Refresh mulch before the heat arrives.
May
- Raise the mower a notch; taller grass shades its own roots.
- Last good window for planting before summer.
June
- Water deeply and less often, on your city's watering schedule.
- Watch for brown patches in sunny St. Augustine.
July
- Peak heat: hold off on new planting.
- Check sunny St. Augustine for chinch bugs.
August
- Plan fall projects. Patios and walls go in more comfortably as it cools.
- Keep watering on schedule; skip fertilizer.
September
- Fall pre-emergent for winter weeds.
- Fall lawn feeding as nights cool down.
Patios, kitchens, gardens and more
What customers say
“River Rock Landscapes did wonderful work from the design to the installation! All my neighbors have come out to compliment my new xeriscaped front yard, which is in the land of lush green Saint Augustine lawns. The design was very interesting, not just a bunch of gravel and cactus. They also stay in contact and always quickly answer emails.”
“River Rock Landscapes is excellent to work with...from lawncare maintenance, to grounds beautification, to irrigation repairs/inspections and so much more! Easy to communicate with and quick to respond. Plus they are family owned & operated locally.”
“River Rock Landscapes has worked with us for 5 years on very large outdoor projects. They have been outstanding in every way...from adaptations of the original design, to budget and suggestions on how it might work better. Their crews are always kind, respectful and very conscientious of our specific environment.”
“River Rock Landscapes exceeded all my expectations! I was impressed by the exceptional helpfulness and knowledge. Answered all my questions and provided insightful advice. The work itself was nothing short of phenomenal.”
“My yard is the talk of the street thanks to River Rock. Added rocks to cut down on my watering bill, they built an outdoor kitchen and monthly lawn maintenance. They do it all.”
From the blog
Practical advice for Central Texas soil and weather.
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping in Central Texas: How to Keep Your Yard Beautiful (and Your Water Bill Low)
June 30, 2026
Rock Landscaping Ideas for Central Texas: How to Use Stone, Gravel, and Decomposed Granite the Right Way
June 30, 2026
Standing Water in Your Yard? Why Central Texas Clay Soil Is the Culprit (and How to Fix It)
June 30, 2026
Book a free walkthrough
Tell us a little about your yard and we'll set up a time to walk it with you. Prefer to talk? Call 512-633-4085, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.