Living in Texas often poses a few challenges to maintaining green spaces. From choosing plants that can survive the heat to dealing with sudden freezes in the winter, you never quite know what to expect from the weather. Once you add in living in an urban environment, it can feel almost impossible to keep plants alive. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to create green spaces in urban Texas settings that add a touch of nature to your residential or commercial property.
Install a Rooftop Garden
Many urban buildings have roofs that go virtually unused. Yet, you can transform this space into a beautiful oasis. What your property might lack in a front yard is easily found by simply moving to the top of your home or commercial building. In fact, rooftop gardens can often have a cooling effect on properties that help to lower utility costs. Working with a professional to design a rooftop garden allows you to plan out how to use plants to make a beautiful sitting area or event space. Alternatively, you might turn the rooftop garden into a functional one that provides you with fresh vegetables or fruit during different seasons of the year.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
Depending upon the area in Texas you live in, you might experience periods of drought that can harm the plants in your garden. Drought-resistant plants are your best option for ensuring that you can keep them alive, especially if your community faces watering restrictions during the height of the summer. Succulents are an option that always looks beautiful in urban landscapes. Black-eye Susans and many daisy varieties are drought-resistant and add delightful pops of color to urban gardens.
Create a Living Wall
Many Texas restaurants are adopting this trending garden idea. Living walls are a great way to maximize your use of vertical space by creating an edible garden. Herbs grow well on garden walls, or you might choose to grow vines for a decorative touch. Either way, you’ll enjoy seeing how the greenery enhances the curb appeal of your property. Keep in mind that this garden style will typically require frequent watering due to the exposure to sunlight and outdoor temperatures.
Use Containers for Portable Plants
Container gardens have long been a favorite way to add greenery to a residential community for people who live in apartments or other small spaces. Potted plants are portable, and you can easily bring them inside for a sudden cold snap or extremely hot day. Keep in mind that the containers you choose should be the right size for your plants, and you may still need to make plans for choosing varieties that stand up to varying levels of sunlight throughout the day.
The urban lifestyle includes benefits that allow you to make the most out of living close to your workplace or opening a business that caters to people in your community. While you might be surrounded by concrete and asphalt, the truth is that you still have lots of options for adding a touch of beauty to your environment. Creating a green space in your urban neighborhood enhances the environment and gives you a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of living in your home state.
