A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Here we go again

Hi all you happy gardeners out there.
We just moved into another house. Now
I've got to start planting everything
again. Nothing here but weeds and dirt.

What I need from you guys is suggestions
on low maintenance and inexpensive stuff
to plant for zone 9.
Any of your ideas will be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,
Gene

You lucky duck! Starting over is great fun. Plus, you're in a place where so much grows!

If it were me, I'd start out with lotsa annual flower seeds. They'll give you a show this year while you're figuring out the particulars of your new digs. Plus they're so inexpensive!

What are you thinking about? trees? Shrubs? Grasses? How many hours of sun does your new yard get each day? What kinda thing do you like? flowers? Evergreen screens? Exotics?

OK Bess, I finally had time to check out the yard.
The fronts ok but it needs a large tree, and some shrubs. The back needs the lawn rejuvenated,and has 3 flower beds around the
perimeter of the yard. Plenty of room for
flowers. The fence shades the south side, the north and east side gets sun all day.
2 small flower are in the front with sun in
the afternoon. some mums and annuals are
planted there now.

Gene

Well Gene, it's hard to find a large tree for cheap, that's for sure! But unless your yard is HUGE, you may not want to have so big a tree that it shades out what flowers are there. Or you could put in a tree that doesn't cast much shade, or dappled shade- like the fabulous mimosa.

Gene,
My favorite for the shaded back fence is azaleas. I love them and they come in so many colors and sizes that you should be just fine finding one for your yard. As for a tree, good luck, I don't remember much of what grows well in the area you are in. I lived in Mountain View years ago, but it was in an apartment. good luck

GENE, HOW WOULD TROPICALS DO IN YOUR zone. YOU'LL GET PLENTY OF COLOR. MIX THEM IN WITH SOME WONDERFUL GRASSES & INTERESTING GREENERY. GOOD LUCK!
SALLY

Thanks to Jiffy and Sally for their inputs.

I'm going with the Azaelas on the shady
areas. They are cheap and easy to care for.

Maybe Sally can give me a website on tropicals. I've never grown them and need to
get some info on how to grow them and which ones grow here.

Gene

Succulants do well there....cactus and many others. Have fun!