Do you have a list of those that would do well in my zip code?
77429


I am enjoying this site!

There are thousands that would do well there. We need to know some things first.

Is there anything in particular you'd like? How much space do you have ? How much sun? Shade? What kind of soil?

No shade yet. New housing development.
Son all day. Small yard. We have been told
The soil is not very good. We also have a
swale (sp) running all the way across the back the back yard so we are thinking about making it a dry creek bed.

Thx for any advice you can give us,

Here's one way to find out what you can grow. Click on the "Memberlist" link at the bottom of this page. Enter your zip code in the "Search by location" box. The results will show all of the members living near you.

http://garden.org/users/member...

Check to see whether they have personal plant lists. I see that @LynneHTx, who lives 23 miles from you, has a list of 150 plants.

http://garden.org/lists/view/L...

It's such a lovely and colorful assortment of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs that you should be able to choose some wonderful plants from this list and know that they probably will grow well in your garden.

I'd start by planting trees first. Although it might be better to wait until fall to plant either trees or shrubs, since we're just coming up on the hottest time of year. Make a plan for where you want your trees, and buy them in the fall when the weather cools off some.

Think about privacy, too. Do you want a large shrub out front to screen the windows facing the street, or for noise abatement? At the sides to separate your yard from the neighbors?

For this summer, I'd be content with some big planters (containers) on the front porch, and make an overall plan for the yard, being sure to know how big the big feature plants will get before you go for it. Then spend your time getting compost from wherever you can lay hands on it. Your County landfill might be your best source.

I am a visual person. If you have nothing but lawn at the moment, try mowing different lines for garden beds, leaving the grass long where you might put garden beds, then sit back and see how it looks from different angles. Stick a shovel in the ground where you might plant a tree or shrub and do the same. How fun to plan a new garden! Enjoy.

Having just finished my DD's landscape, i,too, started with a blank slate. She had one small tree. I observed the sun exposure , sprinkler habits, shade exposure, and drainage for a few days. I made plans for flower beds and changed their position accordingly. Used a garden hose and an electrical cord to map out the location. Instead of digging out the grass, we put down 3 layers of cardboard and topped it with several inches of soil and mulch. A few plants went directly into the ground. We cut holes for them and amended the hard soil beneath it.

Just a thought ...

As you work this summer, watch the drainage all through the garden areas.

In California, a lot of new developments have what is called "engineered soil". It will never drain properly in that it is compacted so severely. Poor drainage is worse than poor soil.

Cheryl ...

We cross posted ... sorry about that.

Lyn

http://organicgardening.about....