Free · Noon Bio

The Field Guide.

Native plants, organic how-tos, busted myths, and the ecology of place — for the Texas Hill Country. We give it all away for the simple reason that an informed neighbor is a cheaper mistake than an ignorant one. Knowledge lowers the cost of good decisions. Help yourself.

Hill Country Natives

Drought-proof natives built for Central Texas — care, bloom, and wildlife at a glance.
CenizoCenizoFlame AcanthusFlame AcanthusBlackfoot DaisyBlackfoot DaisyGulf MuhlyGulf MuhlyTurk's CapTurk's CapTexas Mountain LaurelTexas Mountain LaurelAutumn SageAutumn SageTexas PersimmonTexas PersimmonSideoats GramaSideoats GramaDamianitaDamianitaAgaritaAgaritaFrogfruitFrogfruitEsperanzaEsperanzaCoral HoneysuckleCoral HoneysuckleRock RoseRock RoseZexmeniaZexmeniaMealy Blue SageMealy Blue SageInland Sea OatsInland Sea OatsPossumhaw HollyPossumhaw HollyTexas LantanaTexas Lantana

How-To Guides

Save-able, step-by-step guides for doing it right the first time.
Plant a Tree RightPlant a Tree RightBeat Mosquitoes OrganicallyBeat Mosquitoes OrganicallyBuild Living SoilBuild Living SoilRead Your Yard's WaterRead Your Yard's Water

Myths, Busted

The synthetic-landscape myths that cost you money — busted.
Fogging fixes mosquitoes.Fogging fixes mosquitoes.Fire ant bait ends fire ants.Fire ant bait ends fire ants.Native plants look messy.Native plants look messy.Every drainage problem needs a French drain.Every drainage problem needs a French drain.Fertilizer makes a healthy yard.Fertilizer makes a healthy yard.More water means a healthier landscape.More water means a healthier landscape.A green lawn means a healthy yard.A green lawn means a healthy yard.Weeds mean you need herbicide.Weeds mean you need herbicide.You have to spray to keep bugs off.You have to spray to keep bugs off.Bag your clippings to keep it tidy.Bag your clippings to keep it tidy.Bare dirt looks clean and tidy.Bare dirt looks clean and tidy.Exotic nursery plants are easier.Exotic nursery plants are easier.Spring is planting season.Spring is planting season.

The Ecology of Mind

The research on why a living landscape changes how a place feels.
BiophiliaBiophiliaAttention RestorationAttention RestorationThe View ItselfThe View ItselfSoft FascinationSoft FascinationProspect & RefugeProspect & RefugeThe Calm of FractalsThe Calm of FractalsYour Old FriendsYour Old FriendsNature DeficitNature DeficitForest BathingForest BathingBlue SpaceBlue SpaceThe Use of AweThe Use of AweTopophiliaTopophilia

By the Numbers

The numbers behind ecological landscaping.

Field Notes

Where Noon stands.
The synthetic landscape industry sells you dependency and calls it carThe synthetic landscape industry sells you dependency and calls it carA sprayed, fogged, synthetically-fed yard isn't low-maintenance — it'sA sprayed, fogged, synthetically-fed yard isn't low-maintenance — it'sEvery mosquito-spray subscription is a quiet confession that the last Every mosquito-spray subscription is a quiet confession that the last The American lawn is the single largest irrigated crop in the country The American lawn is the single largest irrigated crop in the country Ten thousand years of Hill Country ecology already solved drought, pesTen thousand years of Hill Country ecology already solved drought, pesThe uncomfortable truth: the lawn-care industry doesn't profit from yoThe uncomfortable truth: the lawn-care industry doesn't profit from yoIf a product kills the soil life, the pollinators, and the predators aIf a product kills the soil life, the pollinators, and the predators aThe default American yard — sod, sprinklers, a spray schedule, a bag oThe default American yard — sod, sprinklers, a spray schedule, a bag oEvery problem in a yard — drainage, pests, dead spots, thirsty beds — Every problem in a yard — drainage, pests, dead spots, thirsty beds —