What to plant now in Dallas area?

Heya! I'm heading down to Dallas next week to visit a dear friend who was my next door gardening buddy before they moved to TX... She hasn't been able to get much started down there (bad knees and a daughter who doesn't see the point of plants), so I wanted to get a couple of things set up for her while I was there.

I was thinking of ordering a Earth Box (if I can get it delivered in time) to set up in a sunny spot for her. I think I might be past the time for planting tomatoes in it, though. ?? I do have some plants that are hardened off and ready to go, including early fruiting varieties 'Stupice' and 'Jaunne Flamme'... Will they have time to do anything before they're taken out by the summer heat?

If I am indeed too late for tomatoes, what can I plant now in containers for her? Peppers? Basil? Bush cucumbers?

I figure a big pot of mixed herbs should work well, so I'm planning to take some oregano and thyme with me, as well as some of her favorite mint for another pot.

I know we should be able to go out to some local places to find a few flowers and other plants, but I wanted to get an idea about peppers and tomatoes before I went so I could take plants with me if appropriate.

They've got a front courtyard area that I think gets part shade to light shade, so I'll see if we can figure out a couple of things for that area.... my understanding is that TX sun is so strong that plants I'd put in full sun here might do well in part shade there, so maybe I'll take along a couple of scented geranium starts...

I know I won't be able to do a full landscape installation for her, but she'd get such enjoyment form even a few clumps of blooming or scented plants, and if I can set up a couple of containers for salad veggies also, that would be ideal.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Don't know where you will be in Dallas, but ...

Northaven gardens (214/363-5316) on 7700 Northhaven road (I'm actually heading there right after I log off) will have LOTS of suggestions for you.

I would probably get one potted supersweet 100 tomatoe plant. It will grow well, and nicely provided you cage it well before you leave.

Another idea is the herbs, which you mentioned, which can go in a window box or a planter without a problem.

Also, - if there is enough room - both zucchini and yellow summer squash.

Finally, now would be fine to put in your winter plants (winter squash, pumpking, etc.)

I have a larger garden, and have been lucky enough to keep it moist, but please don't forget, summers are notoriously dry and hot, and with water restrictions in most of the northern cities and collin county.

W J

Thanks! My friend is in Irving, and DH's conference is in Duncanville.

I think she'll be able to keep up with watering a few containers, especially if I get her one or two Earth Boxes so she can just fill the reservoir each morning... we'll go with drought resistant varieties for anything that we get to plant in-ground.

So... it's not too late to put out tomato plants?

I posted on the other thread, and saw your question here, too. I think EB's will be great for your friend! I still think it's too late for tomatoes even in Dallas - but maybe you could find some larger blooming ones. Peppers, eggplant, okra, and all kinds of herbs will work. Also - watering needs will be more than once each morning - I'm already up to twice a day. I figure when it gets over 90 (its high 80's now) that it will take three times a day to keep up with the huge tomatoes. Gee - I bought them so the watering wouldn't be so time-consuming... Results are worth it, so far, though!

Irving is midcities
Duncanville is south

I don't know those areas, but I agree that tomatos may be a bit late ... but we do have long summers, although hot. It's may, so I just put in my fall stuff yesterday (pumpkin, winter squash, etc.)

Best luck.

W J

Many thanks to both of you!!

Sorry about the cross-posting, but I saw some TX folks on that EB thread, so figured I'd ask there too.

I didn't know Irving and Duncanville were considered to be in 2 separate areas! They're both near Dallas (about 10 o'clock and 7 o'clock from the city center), and they don't look that far apart... I hope I haven't let myself in for a long drive back and forth between them! LOL

I think her zone is also 7b, so what works in Frisco will hopefully work in Irving! :-)

I will look up Northaven gardens, too!

FYI

It's like any other big city (I'm a Maryland native by the way) in that once you get used to it, it ain't no big deal ... and the time of the day and direction travelling will be hugely determinate. (e.g. don't go into the city between 6:45a and 9a and don't come out of the city between 4:15p and 6p). - The city being Dallas or the city being Fort Worth.

Will

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cornucop/2002071336030655.html

take a look at this too ...

Thanks! That's a good list on that link.

It looks like there's a sort of beltway system around Dallas, and it should be pretty straightforward to take 183 between the two locations... I'll try to avoid rush hour, as you said. If the traffic really does lessen by 9am and again after 6 pm, that should work out pretty well. :-)

I agree with sublimaze1, avoid morning and afternoon rush hours if at all possible. Not sure exactly where in Irving and Duncanville you are going. In general, to go to Duncanville from Irving, I would get on Loop 12 south (this runs right by the famous Dallas Cowboy Stadium). Go south on Loop 12 until you hit I-20. Then head east on I-20. You would now be in Duncanville.

Loop 12 does intersect with 183 and 114 (the major highways in Irving). I'll post a map link in my next post.

Be careful driving in Dallas. People are used to sun and dry road conditions. If there are any adverse conditions (wind, rain, etc), some motorists here continue to travel at their usual speed (fast).

Here is a link to a map with directions from Irving to Duncanville.
http://www.google.com/maps?q=Irving,+TX,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image

Of note, loop 12 turns into Patriot Parkway/408. When heading to Duncanville from Irving, take the Patriot Parkway/408 to I-20

For some reason, the directions didn't link.
Here is a summary of the directions

In Irving
Take TX-12-LOOP S 5.4 mi
Continue on Patriot Pkwy/TX-408-SPUR S (signs for TX-408-SPUR/I-20) 3.9 mi
Take the exit onto I-20 E toward Dallas

You are now in Duncanville

And Spur 408 is the prettiest drive in the city of Dallas, so it should be a nice drive for that portion. While in Duncanville, I suggest going to Petal Pushers Nursery in Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill is just south of Duncanville and the nursery should not be more than 5 miles south of where you are. Any other nurseries (such as North Haven Gardens mentioned above) would be much more out of your way.

I don't think there are really any other great nurseries in Duncanville, Irving, between, or around. I know there is supposed to be a small nursery in Irving by the name of Chambers Nursery, but I have never been there. Plus Petal Pushers is a fabulous nursery with a great staff who can also give you some suggestions. They were also recently featured in Southern Living. http://www.petalpushersgarden.net/

Wow, you don't know how much I appreciate all the tips! Thanks!

I'm going to take my little NavMan unit with me, and that will help with directions also. You're right about the route that Google suggested... I got the highway numbers confused because I was looking at the map without zooming in enough. Good to know that my route includes a scenic portion of road!

My friend's place in Irving is right in the center of the triangle made by 183 (W. Airport Fwy), 161, and 114 (W. John W Carpenter Fwy). In Duncanville, we're staying at the Hilton (maybe Hilton Garden something) at 800 N. Main. Too bad y'all aren't close enough to join us for dinner one evening!

I don't know if I'll manage to get Doris down to Duncanville and Petal Pushers nursery, but I'll try. Her daughter has 4 very needy/spoiled dachunds that apparantly can't be left alone for very long (this was true when they lived next door also, nothing new), so major expeditions may have to wait until after 3 when she gets home from work. I want to get out Tuesday afternoon for some nursery cruising so I can spend some time planting for her on Wednesday.

We just had coffee & phone conversation... she's telling me that this is supposed to be a vacation for me, that I'm not to spend all my time digging... and I'm reminding her how quick I am at planting! She did admit it would be really nice to get a few things to put in front (mostly shade, some afternoon sun) for some color, and she's also thinking about trying to attract some birds and hummingbirds to the sunnier side bed that she can see from her window.

I'm bringing my favorite digging tool, my garden clogs, and a ziploc filled with moisture crystals! :-)

critter,

depending when you are coming, now is PERFECT. The rain has broken up the concrete .. uh, I mean clay ... uh, I mean soil so it is easy to penetrate.

I am sorry I don't know "jack" about south of 635 (except North Haven Gardens) and wasn't too much help ... although it seems others chimed in.

Oh, and speaking of 635. stay off it. Stay Off It. STAY OFF IT. It's easy to drive once you have taken the 3-5 years to get used to it. 75 is like that too, but you will be nowhere near that.

I'm logging off this thread now. Hope you have the best visit down here with us all!

Cheers
W J

Thanks!

I just got a call from DH... his managers got to wrangling over the best use of his time next week, and the upshot of it is that his participation in the conference got cancelled. Instead, he'll stay in MD and probably put in double hours next week. Urgh!

However, my frequent flier points are all spent, and I have my ticket, and I am going! I'll just be staying with my friend in Irving rather than at the conference hotel, which actually simplifies my logistics a good bit.

I'm looking forward to visiting Texas and hoping for some great weather next week!

Hoping for great weather for you and a great visit to your friend and Texas!
I had also gone to the container thread to see if there was any input - but have found this Texas forum is the best, you know! Great people, great experienced people and great advice. My brother lives in Maryland - I hope to get up that way soon.
Have a great Texas time!

If you find yourself anywhere near Frederick, be sure to give me a holler!

:-)

Will do! I love to visit in the fall - your fall color is spectacular!

And if you're driving up toward the mountains (Catoctin Park, or on up into PA), your route will take you right through Frederick... we are just a little way from several major highways.... you've no excuse not to stop in for coffee or cider!

So is that near Gaithersburg? I'd love to stop by to share coffe or cider! What a fun idea, critter.

Frederick is north of Gaithersburg, as you travel up 270. Is your brother in Gaithersburg?

Critter how sweet you are to do all this for your friend. I live in the innner city and i have about 15 or 20 pots of mints, onions, chives. peppers, tomatoes HD is full of this stuff all you need is bags of soil. I am even going to try and raise a Black Diamond right in the middle of my Hostas! LOL
Good Luck

Thanks for the tip on where to go! I'm sure I can find a HD near her. I'd love to find a bale of Pro Mix (my favorite potting mix), but I think I'll at least be able to locate some regular Miracle Gro mix (not the moisture control stuff) at HD. We can shop together for plants, and I can make a run for planting supplies while she has a rest after lunch!

I'm also hoping that a nearby WalMart will carry these great containers I've found that have self-watering reservoir saucers (hanging baskets, big pots, and window boxes... they're not quite EBs, but they work really well... I especially love being able to water the hanging baskets from the bottom, and I'm replacing all my hanging pots with these).

Oh, I'm just so excited about seeing her again!

I envy her :) hey there is a nice HD in Hurst ... use to be well stocked. everytime I went to see my BF i would stopped by there first. lol

Hmmm... looks like Hurst is about 15 miles from Irving... making a note... :-)

Sylvia, if I didn't think my time was going to be pretty limited, I'd see about meeting up with you while I'm in town! But I'm getting in Monday night and leaving mid-afternoon on Thursday, and I'll bet that time is just going to fly, especially if I'm trying to get in a few garden projects for her.

Any chance you have a favorite nursery on that side of town? :-)

Critter ... Smockette and I were just discussing you last night. If would be great for a bunch of us Dallasites to hook up with you while you were here. Try to let us know the next time you are coming and we could do the nursery circuit.
Yes there are a lot of nursiries around. .. going to Callahans on Greeville next Saturday, mamajack says they have that Blackjack Sedum there. there is one on Lemmon next door to the Lexus dealership, one on Lover's Lane and there is Northhaven off Centrtal Expressway or we could take a ride out to 121 to that one in Keller TX.
I dont remember names right now but the are very nice $$$$$! We just discovered a JM nursey in Manchester ...
Let me know next time Hubby plan a trip ... we can definitely keep you out of his hair until he is ready to leave! LOL

Oooh, that does sound like fun! I'm hoping I'll be able to visit Doris again, and I'll definitely plan on having a nursery-hopping day while I'm there. It's been so long since I've seen her that I think I'm going to maximize my time visiting with her on this trip, and I'm not sure what her stamina is like these days, so I'm probably better off not making any grand plans. As you said -- next time!

Oh, and as I mentioned above -- DH's conference participation got cancelled, and he has to stay here and work on the big proposal project they've got going. :-( But he is going to hold down the fort (feed cat & fish, water seedlings), and I am going anyway. I'll be staying with Doris, and it sounds like she's got lots of ideas for little expeditions while I'm there -- places she knows we'd both enjoy but which would bore her daughter to death, LOL.

This message was edited May 13, 2007 11:12 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm brand-new on this forum... and this site... having joined about 15 minutes ago, so haven't yet read all the rules and help files, and I'm just browsing around.

But when I saw this Texas forum, I decided to stop in and introduce myself, as I'm sure I'll be wanting to spend time here.

My username, "TravelswCharlie" is for "Travels with Charlie" (remember John Steinbeck's novel?). That is the name I use on my website for RVers, so I decided to use it here, in case there are other RVers here.

Charlie is my motorhome. My own "go by" name is "CJ" (that's for "Charlotte Jo" -- to correct any impressions that "CJ" might be a guy's name -- but I haven't used it for so long that I wouldn't even know they were talking to me if someone tried to use it).

I have a home in Richardson, but I'd like to find a spot on this side of Lake Texhoma -- in the general area of Eisenhower State Park -- where I can park my motorhome. (This last fact mentioned just in case someone knows of something available.)

My immediate need is to find what is eating holes in the leaves of my Nellie R Stevens Hollies at my Richardson, Texas home.

They were planted from 5-gal containers last October as a hedge around my back yard (about 25 plants), and they are growing very nicely... but something besides me finds them attractive.

All the tender new leaves have holes in them. while the older hard green leaves seem almost untouched.

I can't find any bugs.

I guess that should be my first question... what's the best way to find the bugs?

I read that aphids do that... infest the tender leaves only... but aphids wouldn't eat holes like this would they? These aren't "pin holes", but are maybe 1/8" in diameter.

(I'm new at gardening, in case you couldn't tell )

If this isn't the best place to ask, would someone please direct me to the proper forum and/or search facility?

Thanks so much for any advice.

CJ

Hi, CJ! Welcome to DavesGarden and the Texas forum!! :-) You might want to start your own thread with your question, just to make sure it doesn't get lost on the bottom of this one. Click here: http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/region_tx/all/ and scroll down to the VERY bottom of the page where it says: "Starting a new topic:"

I'm so glad you found us!!!
~ Marylyn (in Houston)

My goodness!! I thought I was in the general interest section!

Thanks, Marylyn... I'll try again... Thanks for telling me how!

CJ


This message was edited May 14, 2007 2:50 PM