Black Thumb- 1980's ranch needs some love (flowers, landscaping, grow)

[Adorable1]

Seriously. My husband and I bought a fixer upper on 1 acre a couple of months ago. We have done major interior renos and now he has asked me to 'do the front yard'. My budget is small right ($500)now but we are planning for major changes in Jan (new circle driveway), with a much bigger budget. I know I want the hedges gone. We are in Dallas, TX and the house faces North. I need something super hardy as I am really good at killing plants. The current flower beds are 3.5 feet deep in front of the windows and 1 foot deep between the porch and sidewalk. WDYT? What should I plant.. and can I plant it now or should I wait for fall?

(pic is from when we bought it, grass is green now, trees have leaves.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs305.snc3/28839_429075880802_698930802_5964283_66208_n.jpg (broken link)

Thanks in advance.

[azoria]

Not much information to work with here. We only know you want the existing shrubbery gone and that you have $500.

Do you want low maintenance landscaping? Flower borders? Native xeriscaping? Something you can putter with or something that you'd sooner install and forget about?

Need more input.


(Flower beds generally require some owner maintenance.)

[Adorable1]

So sorry. We have lived in 4 different houses over the last 15 years and the only thing I have been able to keep alive is canas and that was only because the faucet leaked. I don't know plants or what I plant. I just want something that will survive/thrive in Texas with little help from me. My husband suggested mint under the windows because it is green and short. He said it grew wild at his house as a kid with no help. I have no ideas really which is why we have lived here for 3 months and it is still as ugly as the day we moved in. I don't know where to start.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by Adorable1

So sorry. We have lived in 4 different houses over the last 15 years and the only thing I have been able to keep alive is canas and that was only because the faucet leaked. I don't know plants or what I plant. I just want something that will survive/thrive in Texas with little help from me. My husband suggested mint under the windows because it is green and short. He said it grew wild at his house as a kid with no help. I have no ideas really which is why we have lived here for 3 months and it is still as ugly as the day we moved in. I don't know where to start.

I'd suggest not doing the mint! I keep some in containers but won't put it in the ground as it gets into everything. I'm also in Texas and would suggest you wait until fall to plant anything. Our weather pattern has been weird, as you know, but once that Texas sun comes back you would need to pay attention to any new plantings. In the meantime I'd start researching. You might want to pick up the book Texas Gardening the Natural Way by Howard Garrett (the Dirt Doctor). I'm not pushing his book because of his organic ways, that's not for everyone, but he really knows Texas and plants and is clear in his plant profiles about what's easy to grow, difficult, needs the most attention, etc... . He also has a website that might be helpful.

[Inthesierras]

Before you make any decisions, you might want to research watering systems and native plants. Find a local nursery and see if they offer classes. Many nurseries have native plants classes, classes about preparing the soil, installing water systems, maintaining your plants, etc. I have alot of brown thumb friends that throw away alot of money on landscaping because they didn't do their research.

I totally agree with TXGNL about the mint. It chokes out other flowers and takes over. It will grow through your grass, under stone walk ways, etc. We have it planted in containers that are not next to any other plants or patches of soil.

[misplaced1]

Hostas are a nice north side option for starters.

[Moth]

Nice house.

I would also suggest that you get some books, read up on the basics and different shrubs and trees, and perhaps live in the house for a bit. That Spread + 1 Acre = Lots of Options.

[Pappy&Me]

We did the ame thing 13 years ago, we are still working on it but have enjoyed lots of produce as time went by .