HELP!!! New gardener here...

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Barbidoll75 San Antonio, TX May 11, 2009

I need help in two areas...one being doodle bugs. Everytime I set a pot down, even for a minute, I pick it up to find HUNDREDS of doodlebugs under the pots. I moved some rocks this weekend and I encountered THOUSANDS!! I thought I was in some sort of horror flick! Are they harmful to any of my plants? Should I try to get rid of them? And second, I am a new homeowner and new to having a yard and garden. I am working on making one corner of my yard a bird garden. Can someone please guide me as to what plants/shrubs would be best for them? I have been told about the American Beauty Berry bush, so I'm currently on the hunt to find one. I live in San Antonio, Tx. Any suggestions on what to get and where to find them locally would be greatly appreciated! :)

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 11, 2009

Hi, barbidoll75 - I am so used to doodle bugs that I don't even see them anymore. They are basically harmless in the garden, being more interested in chomping on decaying plant matter than they are in messing with your healthy plants. I would leave them alone.

For your bird garden in our Texas climate, the American Beautyberry is great (make sure you plant it in the shade and keep it well-watered). Aromatic Sumac and Flaming Sumac are popular with the birds in autumn, and don't forget the Salvia Greggii varieties for the hummingbirds. Here's a great link of Texas plants for attracting birds to your garden: http://www.texasbirds.info/gardening.php

One of the best things you can add to that area is a small pond or any type of water feature. You know what our summers are like, and the birds will flock to the water area in the late evening. It seems like all of the trees around my pond are full of nests - it may be a coincidence, but I think they like to know the water is nearby.

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 11, 2009

PS: You asked about a good close-by source - Schumacher's in New Braunfels is a fantastic low-cost/huge variety source of Texas Native and adapted plants. There are many places in and around San Antonio, but Schumacher's Hill Country Gardens is about the best if you're starting a new garden and have to make your dollars stretch....http://www.hillcountrygardens.com/

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Barbidoll75 San Antonio, TX May 11, 2009

Mocatmom - Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will head up that way this weekend! :)

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 11, 2009

You're welcome, Barbidoll- have fun!

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