need some ideas

[andi_tx]

I am in Central Texas. My gardening has a lot to be desired, but would love to learn. I have a huge back yard with cyclone fencing and I would love to make the yard private. Any suggestions as to what I can plant that is not hard to maintain. We have sand in the yard and not much else!

[palmettomommy]

Hi Andi,

I'm sorry no one has replied. Unfortunately, I do not know a thing about planting in sandy soil. Have you tried your local coop office? Also, SL has some great gardening books that might have some tips for you.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!

[Capucine]

My suggestion would be to join a good gardening club in your area, look around and notice what everyone else has growing that's doing well in your area, talk to people who's yard's you admire. Other than that, just like most things in life, the best way to learn is to jump in. You'll have some successes and you'll make some mistakes.

[palmettomommy]

My suggestion would be to join a good gardening club in your area, look around and notice what everyone else has growing that's doing well in your area, talk to people who's yard's you admire. Other than that, just like most things in life, the best way to learn is to jump in. You'll have some successes and you'll make some mistakes.

Just a note, not all Garden Clubs focus on gardening! Mine is much more of a social club, although we do support gardening efforts at schools, etc! LOL!

[andi_tx]

thank you both for you replies. The garden club we have in town is very "uppity" if you know what i mean! i have tried many plants that other do well with, but as i sad, my gardening has a lot to be desired. i am thinking i need to bring some topsoil in and start from there.
thanks again.

[scbshell]

If you have sandy soil, I think cactus might be the only thing you can get to grow. I don't really know of many plants that can live in that type of soil.

I have heard of folks in Texas having great success with roses. Maybe if you have some top soil brought in you could try that? You could do some climbing roses to eventually give you the privacy you want.

[Crazykaos]

Hi.. Dont know where ic central Tx you are, but I'm in austin. You could try bamboo, also...do you have sandy soil or the limestone/clay stuff most of us have. If thats the case chinese pothias and red tip pothias are great.
Other plants that are great for sandy soil is bulbine, rosemary, lavender, lantana. Rosemary and lavender does not like clay! I have been gardening with a trilal and error filosophy for years now and know the safest best in austin. But definately check the soil... also KLRU the pbs channel for ctx has a weekly show. you can see the info on klru.org/ctg

[andi_tx]

nothing but sand here....i have just planted some rosemary in the front yard and it is not dead yet!!! i need something that will grow fast and cover the fence for privacy. I also have some lantana growing in the backyard that are still there from my grandmother.....long time.
I am in Cameron..about 75 miles north east of you.
I love to watch the shows on klru...they are always great!
thanks for the info!

[Crazykaos]

Try some vines. Lady Banksia rose, clematis, jasmine,passion fruit....They have some great native selections online at http://www.cityofaustin.org/growgreen/
The pothias, red tip and chineese grow fast and they don't care what kind of soil they have... Mine grew from about 3ft tall to about 12-15 in less than 2 years. One I even cut to the ground last spring, and its already 8 ft tall!!!!

[damsel]

Definately contact your local county extension office. They have master gardeners on hand to answer your questions and can tell you what will work in your soil type. Best of luck! And don't worry about those seemingly uppity old ladies. Contact them and let them know of your interest in learning from "seasoned" gardeners. You might be pleasantly surprised at THEIR interest in energetic 'new blood' for their group :p

[damsel]

Here's the site for your local county (Milam county?) extension office:

http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:_DCN5cLcQLMJ:milam-tx.tamu.edu/+cameron+texas+county+extension+office&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4

Here's their contact info:
Milam County
Extension Office
100 East First Street
Cameron, TX 76520
Phone: 254-697-7045

[Capucine]

Just a note, not all Garden Clubs focus on gardening! Mine is much more of a social club, although we do support gardening efforts at schools, etc! LOL!


I'm very aware of that. That's why I said, join a GOOD gardening club.

[Lucky_Lady]

Palmettomommy......I bet your in a wonderful club, one that I would be proud to me a member of..........sometimes the most beautiful flowers in the world aren't planted in yards and gardens, but in hearts....Grow where your planted, I bet your club is Great!!!!


:rolleyes:

[palmettomommy]

Palmettomommy......I bet your in a wonderful club, one that I would be proud to me a member of..........sometimes the most beautiful flowers in the world aren't planted in yards and gardens, but in hearts....Grow where your planted, I bet your club is Great!!!!


:rolleyes:

How sweet! Thank you!

[andi_tx]

great ideas from all....thank you for the tips and links. i think i will try the photinas. if they grow that fast....woooo hoooo!

[wishfulthinking]

You might try Green Giant Arbovitae....not sure of the spelling of that! We planted a row a year ago at my mother's house for screening and they have done well. She lives at the very southwest corner of Arkansas near the Texas and Louisiana lines. Her soil is very sandy and they have had virtually no rain in the past year so she had to water a lot. The Green Giants did will under very adverse circumstances.

[GrannyM Tx]

Andi--I am just 30 miles southwest of you near Thrall. Have you ever tried getting in touch with Judge Frank Sommers there in Cameron for advice on what to plant? He is a well-know horticulturist in your area and has a radio show on every Saturday morning at 8:30 am on the Cameron station, KMIL-1330 AM. Most of the time it is live and you can call in and talk to him during the show.

[andi_tx]

hi neighbor!
i live in cameron and didnt even know about his show! i will have to give him a call. thanks a million!
andrea

[carolina99]

I planted 70 Chinese Privets along the edge of our land about 8 years ago. They have done well, totally left alone to do their thing, and are about 5-6 ft tall now. I bought small ones as the price of larger ones was not in my budget. They are hardy and evergreen, too.

[rcraft1980]

In my location there is a college with a large horticulture class. They have a site that lists the plants/trees native to this area, best uses for those plants/trees, and all sorts of other useful information. you may want to check out any local colleges.