New to this Mail List
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: New to this Mail List
- From: "* M* B* <C*@GSC.STATE.TX.US>
- Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 07:51:59 -0600
- Content-Disposition: inline
Hello, my name is Chris Brown. This is a new experience for me being on a
list serve. I've been watching correspondence for the past couple of days
and thought I'd jump right in and see if I can get some help. Several
years, we built an arbor complete with a fountain. Around the border, we
have planters that are about 1 (one) foot wide. I dived right in and
planted. Our area is filled with cedars (We are about 25 miles west of
Austin, TX in zone 8.). I used the existing soil and have since found out
(according to our local nurseries) that these cedars act like a herbicide.
And, if you look around, nothing grows around any of these trees. Can't
get rid of all of them, so, I have to learn to live with them. So,
naturally everything died after trying valiantly for a couple of years. I
intend to dig up all the soil and replace it with an appropriate mix.
However, I would like to know what I should replace it with. Does anyone
have any suggestions where I can start.
This area is in deep shade and is additionally covered with a shade cloth
and we took additional steps last year to keep any more cedar needles from
entering the area.
I would also like some suggestions on appropriate plants. I would like to
have the area looking tropical. I have buried a soaker hose, so watering
is not a problem. However, the plants still need to survive our "hot"
summers. I have planted caladiums in planter boxes bordering this area and
if watered properly, they seem to do very well.
Can anyone help me get started right, so that I don't have the disaster of
plants dying and having to start all over again?
