Gardening in Texas

Whenever I think about my garden (or lack thereof), I realize how much work I would need to do to make it look the way I want it to (and to water it in June/ July). My plan to get an irrigation system backfired. Maybe DH will understand better next year and put aside money to do this VERY important addition to the yard.

Do I really need all those tools? I was taking a look through some catalogs and magazines and was wondering... All I have is a small shovel, some pruning shears, a hand-held tiller and some gloves. Does it matter if I don't have a fork to turn the soil, a flat shovel to take out sod, large loppers for shrubs? I mean, really, do I need them? I am afraid to take out some of the flowers to divide them without a fork and I am hoping to get a delivery of soil late this week so I can make better beds.

Ah, the beds. After the icestorm last week, the lantana is really, really dead. I either need to cut it back to get rid of it altogether. It is the only thing that looks good in July however. hmm.
I know I want to change out the flowers near the door and cut back the crape myrtle near the garbage bins. I still have no real idea of what to do with the bed near the cars or on the side of the house. Maybe I should look through some garden centers this weekend - the Lowe's at La Frontera has some really knowledgeable people. BUT - the Red Barn plants I buy, while slightly more expensive, have lasted and lasted.

Point in fact - the Bluebonnets in the ice picture are actually seeds from a plant I bought late last year at Red Barn. The plants went to seed and now they are everywhere! I LOVE self-seeding plants! Maybe I'll get some more so they will creep over to behind the mailboxes... it is just bare dirt right now.

Why is it sooo hard to find good advice about gardening in Texas? I still need to get some sort of soil test to determine what I need to do in terms of fertilizer. AND I need to get some better system in place for watering this summer. I also need to keep some notes about what I am putting where and what is going on with the garden. Ah well - at least I can pull weeds without too much thought this weekend. :-)