Hey everyone! Hope you're all safe and doing great!

So I have a couple of gardening questions. I have zero experience gardening or keeping plants alive unless you count a stick of bamboo that was super easy. The house is almost done! And I'd like to introduce some plants into my life. So I figured this was the best place to ask since there's such a variety of people and experience!

So far, the two plants I really want are Lavender, specifically Spanish Lavender, and a Venus Fly Trap. I'm in East Texas, about 2 hours east of Dallas. I want Lavender because they're really good for bugs like fleas and ticks and mosquitos and I just think they're pretty. I've read up a little and found that Spanish Lavender does fairly well in Texas. My pups are on Simparica which is good if the bugs bite but not good at repelling the bugs. As evident by the 3 ticks they've brought in the past month. And we have some woods around us so I'd like to keep them out of the yard. I think they're supposed to be planted in the spring so that would give me enough time to get a fence up and figure out where in the yard I want it.

The Venus Fly Trap is something my boyfriend wants and thinks looks cool. I wouldn't mind having one in the house but know nothing about them. So if anyone has any advice on those please let me know!!

Any gardening tips are welcome! And any advice about planters and soil and fertilizer and starting and anything you can think of is very much appreciated!

Neither plants like water all that well, so make sure they are planted where it drains well and don't kill with kindness. Most lavenders do best if poked in the ground and left alone. Whack the dried growth back at the beginning of spring. Lavender doesn't do well for me up here. Too cold but Russian sage grows like gangbusters.

I've had flytraps before but have found it difficult to keep them alive through winter since they need live food. If you grow them outside then they usually have no issue drawing in food. You kinda have opposing plant desires. Lavender to repel bugs, then a flytrap that will draw them in. Make sure they are separated so they don't compete. They don't like tap water. Get an RO system if you don't already have one.

I want to put the lavender in one of the corners of the yard and let it keep stuff out of the yard. The flytrap would be inside. I hadn't thought about the winter aspect for them. Or even the competition between them. The lavender I've wanted for a while, the flytrap was mentioned by my boyfriend last weekend. I want to start a garden eventually and have a place in the yard in mind. This is probably a silly question but, what's an RO system??

I'm not sure you'll get much of a benefit, tick wise with plants. For ticks on your dog, permethrin topical is highly effective. For your yard, as long as you don't keep bees, hiring someone to spray every 3 weeks does wonders. My son lives in eastern Massachusetts and his property butts up against a conservation area. Tick pressure was horrendous. The kids couldn't use the yard. Gifted someone to spray regularly and no more ticks. Or mosquitoes

Or you could just move a little further west in Texas. It only took me a couple of months to realize that there were no ticks, mosquitoes or roaches out here. A little further north, when you get into the Davis mountains all the creepies exist but down her in the desert it's too dry / too hot for them.

Thanks Amy for the advice! I know once the fence goes up we're gonna treat the yard for just about everything we can. Does the permethrin actually repel the ticks? I'll have to look into someone spraying regularly room thanks!

@aljones no mosquitos you say?? If I wasn't so happy here I'd consider it just for that reason! Mosquitos love me. I can be outside for 5 minutes and get almost 30 bites. I've counted before!! New Zealand also doesn't have bugs and that's where my boyfriend is from so I think the desert would be second choice. Sorry Al!! But if I ever start traveling around the US I'll make a point to see the wonderful desert you live in.

What about citronella plants? I use a mix of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil in the humidifier and it keeps most things away. Another idea is ceder fencing or ceder shavings because ceder naturally repels bugs. I use ceder shavings mixed in my potting soil as an organic bug and pest repellent. Mint varieties work as an all animal/insect repellent but it will take over like a weed if allowed.

No mosquitoes makes me jealous. Its a good thing mosquito season is short. We have major fly and yellowjacket issues right now. We have never found a tick in our yard but we do know they are around. I have pulled several off squirt after going hiking.

We do have "fly season" which overlaps "moth season" - I started to look up and see what types of moths these are but after I saw about 15 different varieties (not that they necessarily were, just what I saw) I gave that up as a lost cause.

Since I leave front and back doors open for cross ventilation, if I don't close them around sundown I get invaded by the moths! We all have our trials - just that mine mostly don't bite.

Yes the permethrin repels as well as kills. I've sat in the grass and watched various flies, mosquitoes hover but never actually land on Ami. When we walk on a certain tick infested trail, we can see them scurrying on his fur but don't actually attach. On the very rare occasion one does attach, it's dead and flat.

Permethrin laced clothing, socks, pants, shirts, neckerchiefs are recommended by CDC for people in tick environments.  Unfortunately, human skin neutralizes permethrin in about 15 minutes which is why it has to be applied to fabric.

The permethrin topical for dogs (will kill cats) gives about 6 weeks protection from ticks. It's not a great flea preventive so I intersperse with fipronil. Fipronil is good against fleas for 3 months. Every 4 months I use a permethrin product with pyriproxyfen (Vetguard plus). Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator that prevents flea larvae from developing into adult fleas and lasts 4 months in dogs skin. I set up a rotation based on our weather conditions so that they only get one medication in any 2 week time period, preferably a month but that doesn't always work. Takes a bit of pen and pencil, a calendar and local weather reports. For us, general first dose February/March of Vetguard Plus depending on temperature and snow cover. First fipronil is may June dependencies on heat and dryness.

We get some really cool looking moths here, some i thought initially were butterflies. Then there is the giant sphynx moth. Its very interesting and pretty big. We do the doors/windows open because no ac but in the evening we have to make sure the screen doors are closed or little flying things are everywhere.

I don't mind most bugs. Moths are pretty cool and don't bother me. Flies, wasps, and mosquitos on the other hand... Flies have to be right by my face for some reason, wasps are just jerks, and I physically cannot stop scratching mosquito bites. I've had some that were bigger than a quarter.

My main worry is that my parents little dog isn't on any flea or tick prevention because they're not the type of people to care about that stuff. Once I move out it won't be a problem but I still don't want them to bring them in the house. That schedule sounds very complicated but if it works then it works. I'll definitely look into the topical. I'm sure I can find it at a feed store?

What's a good beginner plant to get started? Maybe something to plant in the fall once we're settled in the house? Even a little house plant to keep in the kitchen window!

Almost any of the mint family are good house plants - unless you have a really brown thumb, you can't kill it - added benefit for sweet tea.  Most any real ivy will grow well in a hanging pot (didn't realize most ivy's are also not good for dogs - see footnote).  Another 'standard' is one of the pothos variety (commonly called an ivy but it isn't) watch your dogs because, in small bites, it's an irritant; if they decide to go whole hog, it can be fatal - mine have tasted and decided to leave it alone.

Wanted to check to see what the side effects from Pothos are and ran into this link which may help with which ones to avoid.

I have "immortal" basil. It bolted i cut it dow it regrew so on and so forth the root system is about 8 months old. I have some that i put outside and got snowed on, then wind, then i stopped watering it and every time it rains it grows new leaves. Seriously wont die.

Mint is more then unkillable, in the ground it can be invasive.

Daylilies are almost impossible to kill. And come up yearly.

https://easttexasgardening.tamu.edu/east-texas-home-gardening/plants-for-east-texas/

RO System is a reverse osmosis water filtration system. There are two things we do to every house when we first move in if it doesn't already have it and that is add a water softener and a reverse osmosis system.

A lot of your bulbs can be put in during the fall. Tulips and daffodils, daylilies as was mentioned. I put in giant allium and peonies last fall. Just make sure you adhere to the planting depth guide that comes with the plants. If you plant too deep or too shallow they might not bloom and you will have to replant them.

Not much of a sweet tea fan but I'll definitely look into mint. And I'll keep it indoors so I don't introduce it into the environment. We have 2 sago palms (sp?) In the front yard that we want to keep. They're in an area where the dogs can't get to them. I'd like to grow some herbs for cooking and hadn't thought of mint or basil so I'll look into those.

Thanks for that link Amy!

Jenn, where do you normally install your RO system? All I drink is filtered water and I had just planned on buying one to keep in the fridge but if I can install a system that would be great! Also thanks for the planting depth tip! I'll keep that in mind!

Ours taps into the water line under the sink. the pressure tank and filters store under the sink and you drill out a hole in the corner of the sink up top and install a secondary faucet (they are smaller than a normal faucet) that is connected to the pressure tank below that stores the filtered water. If you have a fridge with a water hookup you can also tap the fridge water line into the RO tank so that the fridge dispenses the RO water in addition to or instead of putting a second faucet at your sink. You can buy RO systems to filter what specifically needs to come out of your water if your area water has special needs. At our old house we had a 3 filter system. Here we have a 5. We install ourselves. It's not difficult but some plumbing knowledge does make the job go faster and smoother. We like this over the manual filter systems because we don't have to fill it since it's tapped directly to a water line. we always have filtered water on demand. Our fridge doesn't have a water dispenser. Some fridges have a filter build into their water dispenser but often the filter needs changed more often than the RO filters which only need attending about once every 6 months. If you ever have to deal with cancer the RO water is what you will want. It's stripped over everything including minerals so mineral replacement is something to consider if using an RO system.

Hah. Jenn, I was reading about you RO system and was wondering if we should get one (we already have a softener system.) But then I got to the party about taking into refrigerator... Then I thought.. but we HAVE a filter on the fridge. Needs replacing ever 6 months...

@amymeme you need to look into what the fridge filter actually filters and decide from there if adding the RO is worth it with your water. Many fridge filters only filter chlorine. Whereas ROs will filter chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, lead, nitrates, all kinds of things depending on the system that a fridge filter won't even begin to touch.

We're on private well, have had it tested several times and very clean. Iron and calcium are the problems. We are almost at the top of a hill, only woods above us, south of of us. Also our well is deep. Not much within a couple of miles to pollute us. Fortunately. Minor concern, a very small herd of beef cattle, maybe 10? So nitrates possible but not found.

Argh!  Garden??  Well, no garden this year ... didn't feel like going out and turning over my little plot.  I've kept adding compostable material to it in the hopes that eventually it'll become something other than a clay pit.

My Figs have gotten to about the size of my thumb and stopped there. Water in the morning and most evenings around sunset, the fig is in a pit on the west side of the house to it's dry at the end of the day.  

Ditto the tomato but at least the fruit is gradually increasing in size, two plants in the pot (and I've been real tempted to stick them in the ground) fruit is now, let's say, between quarter and half dollar size ... all 7<?> of them.  I've had plenty of blooms but I'm guessing not enough bee (or other) activity so I'm not setting much fruit.

Threw some watermelon seeds into a pot, about a half dozen came up and I have two left that look like they might last.  Gonna stick them into the ground if they continue to get some size to them - too small and the rabbits, etc will wipe them out overnight.

Dropped some Morning Glory seeds into a pot and they all sprouted (well, I didn't count them but I've got a slew of sprouts) and we're getting some rain so I'll put them out beside the water tanks.  They'll be afternoon glory - that's when the sun will hit them - but I can hope?

Had a fellow come over and trim some of the native shrubs, what he did was trim them all back to about a foot above ground, so, of course, they're all sprouting both suckers and off the wood he left ... any ideas how to cut them back (okay, *that's* not a problem) and kill the root stock without killing anything around them?

Sasha's not getting a whole lot better, hind legs (hip joints I presume) are continuing to give her problems.  On level ground she's pretty much okay but she's really having problems with both the back and front steps - in both cases there are times where she starts to go up and it looks like her back legs just give out on her of course there are times she runs up them like everything's fine.  I have a hard time with her 'communication.'  If the water bowl is empty she'll whine, if it's dinner time she'll whine, if she wants to go out she'll whine, the problem I have is that she'll come over beside me and whine and I have to figure out what it is she wants.....  The whine that really concerns me is when she goes into her corner (linoleum) where it's cooler, stand there and whine and then sometimes she lays down and other times she wanders out into the crowd again - haven't figure that out.  It's not new but it has been becoming more often over the past several months.

Water for me is rain water - and surprisingly it's been tested as drinkable.  It's in closed tanks (closed except for the holes where the gutter pipe goes in.  I've checked the tanks and given that we have high winds and blowing dust, which I would expect to settle on the catchment roof, there is very little dirt in the bottom of the tanks.  Someone, want to do a rain dance for us ... we've gotten a couple of showers but we seriously need rain!!

Well after being on a week quarantine I can finally go back to work and make money to fund my future garden. Our septic system is supposed to be installed today but it's raining so we'll see how that goes. Once this goes in we can finally move. I've been staying with my boyfriend for the past week because my dad tested positive for COVID. I've seen my dogs briefly while getting the stuff my mom packed for me since I can't pack anymore. I miss them but without getting re-exposed all I could give was a few quick pats through the kennel bars.

Al, sorry to hear that about Sasha. Do you think she wants to lie there because it's cool but the floor is uncomfortable for her joints? That's all I can think of.

@aljones tomatoes don't need insects to pollinate. Just a breeze or a jiggle of the flowers and they will self pollinate. But. Won't form fruit over 90°.

I'm rather excited this year, I've got fruit forming earlier than ever, both planted and potted.

Otherwise, rather down in the dumps, pool needed to be almost completely refilled, patch let go over winter, well water had iron which reacts with chlorine and turns green, boat needs spreader repair and can't find someone to do it, sail needs repair, I've called the guy last fall, this spring, hasn't shown up yet. Nieces attacking me on FB for not supporting property damage as legitimate protest tactic.  They tag teamed me and Josh, pushed him into a corner into saying, if push came to shove and he was threatened by a mob in his truck and felt his life in danger that yes, he would step on the accelerator. Then they snipped that bit of conversation with his name, tagged him a murderer and posted it with his full name. And Josh. Ugh. All up in arms re masks being only placebo. I've decided I hate people and rabbits. But not necessarily in that order. They ate all my Brussels sprouts and are now onto my emerging soybean sprouts I wanted to surprise my DIL with.

One thing that makes me happy:

Oh, I'm talking about my tomatoes and you have to have some nice little ones in your picture. I had to wonder whether the "one thing" was the tomatoes or the flowers at the bottom of the picture.

Since we're in the 100° during the day and only get to the high 80° at night - that might be a problem. (( Took a quick run over to youtube, ain't much I can do about the heat. ))
While I was out looking at youtube, I think from what a couple of them are saying, I should move my fig back into the shade some. Seems as if a fig likes the heat but not necessarily the direct sun.

@aljones the one thing is the whole pot. I put a black cherry, a sungold, a honeydrop and a gardeners delight, all cherry tomatoes with their roots on bottom (they had all been transferred to quart yogurt containers previously). Then on next later I put the orange geranium, added more soil and put to deep blue petunias and 3 coleus in there. It's right by the back door so I can water or multiple times a day if necessary. I'll give half rations of Peter's soluble tomato fertilizer at every watering, is for micros and calcium, magnesium as well. It's an experiment to see if I can grow tomatoes in a pot. That taste like something.

Annnndddd.

Woodchuck. Just outside my vegetable garden. The dogs started into a home a few weeks ago with vigor. But after the porcupine, I've been keeping Ami in at night. And with all the fireworks around, Ami had been keeping Ami in at night. Just went up there and as I approached the gate, critter went scampering into the brush where the home was. Went back to the house, got Ami and some treats, three the treats into the hole. We gonna be up there often with treats in that hole. And I'm getting some more fence wire and electrify that SOB. To start, a havaheart trap with and orange...

It's WAR. A good target for my rage at nieces!