Frisco sits on the rolling blackland prairie of Collin County, where the underlying black clay soil expands dramatically with moisture and shrinks just as hard during dry stretches, creating a landscape environment that punishes unprepared yards. The same heavy clay that challenges drainage across subdivisions near Toyota Stadium also makes quality organic mulch a near-necessity for protecting tree roots and moderating soil temperature swings between March and November. Frisco's position in USDA Zone 8a means gardeners push through a long growing season bookended by a last frost around March 9 and a first fall frost not arriving until late November, leaving plenty of time for mulch and soil amendments to earn their keep. Bulk decorative stone has become increasingly popular for low-maintenance beds throughout master-planned communities scattered across the city's fast-growing western corridors, where water conservation and curb appeal go hand in hand.