Cherry, Cherry, quite contrary......

[cb88]

So, now that I have a house and 2 acres, I've been planting like mad....flowers mostly, some herbs and some green beans....I moved in a little too late in the season to plan much of anything else. I started a compost pile, etc.

All you other backyard gardening enthusiest....I'm looking for suggestions for planting. I have gardened a lot, but I am still an amature. I love flowers (especially ones that I can dry). I prefer perennials as I want the garden to expand every year--though I always add a few annuals because there's just some I love (like the Gerber Daisies I bought today---one of my favorites next to roses).

My backyard is ALL sun...though this fall I am going to plan a tree or two. I need sugestions on that...something with lots of shade and grows quickly....a fruit tree would be nice. Remember, Texas is hot...and while I have a farm pond at my disposal, I don't have lots of water next to me so I can't plant a weeping willow .

The front yard is mostly shade and I want to put flower beds around the trees next year...or maybe some bulbs I plant in the fall.

I'm looking for suggestions on beautiful and unique flowers.

I have impatients, roses, gerber daisies, shasta daises, primroses, butterfly bushes, mandevellas (a beautiful climbing fine that blooms all summer long with pink trumpeting flowers--it's on my arch), I also planted a wild flower mix with Holly Hocks, but the grasshoppers are eating those.....non-chemical suggestions for bug control also apprecaited. I have dogs and I don't want to use seven or anything. I also planted herbs---dill, sage, thyme, and three different kinds of basil.

So, lemme have it...bring on some suggestions. I want to transform my backyard into a beautiful garden (60% flowers/garden and 40% grass/patio).

I know there are fellow gardeners out there!!!!

[Snowden]

How about a cherry tree?

You know, Vicky, you need to know what will grow best in your area, taking soil and drainage, etc., into consideration. If there's a Southern States store or something like that, they can tell you what plants and trees have the best chance for survival with minimal care.

Or you may find some seed/plant catalogs by looking them up on the computer, calling or emailing them for catalogs. It's late for planting, so start planning what to put in for late summer blooming or to plant in autumn - that's when I would expect both spring flowers and trees to be planted with best success. Just when that is where you are, though, I wouldn't know from up here in Maryland!

I can't plant in my back yard, so any seed that falls is welcomed. Consequently I have volunteer blackberries (thank you, birds!), wild daisies, some things my daughter-in-law planted ten years ago that have survived. Eglantine - wild roses - are popping up all along the fence and it's lovely and green back there just now.

But this soil is pottery quality clay - not all that great for me to mess in. It's okay when wet - but it's like cement when it's dry. You need to find out what your soil can handle.

I hope this is somewhat helpful, Vicky - it's been a while since I gardened!

[USA11B]

Just one suggestion. Ole Texas Bluebonnets are a favored species of mine.

[cb88]

Originally Posted by USA11B

Just one suggestion. Ole Texas Bluebonnets are a favored species of mine.

Yes, and the state gives out those seeds for free

[cb88]

Originally Posted by Snowden

How about a cherry tree?

You know, Vicky, you need to know what will grow best in your area, taking soil and drainage, etc., into consideration. If there's a Southern States store or something like that, they can tell you what plants and trees have the best chance for survival with minimal care.

Or you may find some seed/plant catalogs by looking them up on the computer, calling or emailing them for catalogs. It's late for planting, so start planning what to put in for late summer blooming or to plant in autumn - that's when I would expect both spring flowers and trees to be planted with best success. Just when that is where you are, though, I wouldn't know from up here in Maryland!

I can't plant in my back yard, so any seed that falls is welcomed. Consequently I have volunteer blackberries (thank you, birds!), wild daisies, some things my daughter-in-law planted ten years ago that have survived. Eglantine - wild roses - are popping up all along the fence and it's lovely and green back there just now.

But this soil is pottery quality clay - not all that great for me to mess in. It's okay when wet - but it's like cement when it's dry. You need to find out what your soil can handle.

I hope this is somewhat helpful, Vicky - it's been a while since I gardened!

A cherry tree is definitely on the list. (I had 5 at my old house in the country thus how I got the nick name)

I'm pretty lucky because almost everything grows in my region....just need to watch the sun/shade thing.

[BrianK]

Herbs like winter savory or summer savory plus oregano help make for a great home made pasta sauce.

Suggestion if you have any allergies or are comming close to menopause then herbs that take away the need for prescribed meds would be a great addition to any garden.

Another concerning herbs would be to plant the kind that boost any salad. Aragula comes to mind. There are a lot of herbs and flowers that can be mixed to make salads that you might not have thought of. Rose petals come to mind as not only a pretty look but the taste adds zing to a typically hum drum salad.

Of course drying your own and having pesticide free herbs on hand for any favorite dish would take a little research but well worth the effort. Dried but better fresh Curry as a decorative plant yet a terrific way to make curry rice or curry chicken works for us. Adding fresh curry to other fresh herbs like pineapple sage & thyme can really change the taste of a meal when ground together and rubbed on a meat you plan to BBQ.

Just have to realize that fresh herbs have a lighter taste factor than dried.

Trees fall into the catagory of Bay & miniature lemon & the cherry tree already mentioned. Bay for food flavoring & lemon leaves for tea & some desserts. You might even find an outlet for selling pesticide free bay leaves. The price they get in a store for bay leaves is pretty decent. Bay works good in any fricasse like goat, chicken or beef. Cherry for making lots of desserts & your own wine if you decided that you wanted to try that.

Eating well or like a gourmet would if they had access to walking out into their yard to get non toxic, pesticide free ingriedients is at your finger tips now. All you have to do is set aside some computer time to investigate what would work for you for health & meals you never knew you could create.

[cb88]

There is another flower besides rose that can be used in salads, I used to grow them in IL. Very colorful, sweet and tastey---Nasturiums. Absoultely wonderful.

Rose petals are great if you sugar encrust them


I forgot about stuff for menopause....I shouldn't be close, but due to my surgery I am. St. John's wart is also great.

I have to be careful about planting things like chammomile...I happen to be one of those weird people that is actually allergic to chammomile. Which means when I go buy teas in the store---even the apple cinnamon, etc. -- I have to check to make sure it's not in there. Same with herbal shampoos, lotions, soaps, etc.

I did plant spermint & peppermint---two of my personal favorites. Great for garnishing, eating, teas, oils/cooking, etc.


You have the right idea, Brian. I want to grow a garden that is pesticide free, a joy to the eye and will enable me to cook like a gourmet without spending hundreds on seasonings.


There used to be this guy that would come on the talk radio station up in Chicago that had all these home remedies (like tabacco juice for beetles, etc) and I wish I had his book/website.....can't remember his name. It was all natural treatments that kept the pests away, kept "rot" way, etc.

I have also bought ladybugs and preying mantis in the past at the nursery....I might try that again.