Just wanted to introduce myself, Organic Yankee. New to the organic arena but loving it so far. I have a an acre and a half new construction. i just laid done buff 609. Put down some dry molasses. Getting ready to start picking plants for my beds. I have already planted three live oaks, 2 red, and 2 sago palms. If anyone has any suggestions about types of plants to use that you have had great success with please let me know. I look forward to working with you all!!

Org. Yankee-
Welcome! How long have you been away from the NE? Hope you enjoy TX. Isn't it wonderful to have acreage!? We live in Plano but have 20 ac NE of here that we 'play' on & hopfully will retire there. You'll get lots of hints from the members here, I'm a novice in most things & this is a great place to come!
Patty

Welcome to the forum

Here is a resource for finding well adapted and native plants for our area:

http://www.txsmartscape.com/frontpage.html

You can also pick up Howards books to find a ton of great info.

Welcome OY-
I recommend you stop by some of the nurseries listed in the business directory. Some have design services which you might get free this time of the year because it's slow. They also have many plants in inventory that they do not want to take care of till the next rush of business in spring. A creative guy could make himself and the nursery owner very happy.
Tony M

hey oy;
glad you're here. there's lots of plant/landscape pleasure here, but it is a very different frame of reference from places that get plentiful rain.
if i were to make a suggestion, it would be to get to know your soil. hard clay, sandy, thin on top & rock beneath. once you are familiar with that, then the plant selection becomes quite a bit easier.
i live in joshua, & in this small area - some have all sand - some have all clay (that's me).
right now i'm looking at my landscape & asking myself about winter "interest". during these months so much is dun color. the evergreens, the burgandy, the ornamental grasses help the drear alot.
for me, also, now when things are not so "vivacious", the help is the birds. think about water, habitat, & feed when choosing plant materials. these guys add an incredible "lifescape" to our "landscape" don't they. probably the ones here are a little different than the ones you knew before.
i wish you every success & joy in your texas plantings.
bj