[Austin_Explorer]

The main thing I want to chime in with is a suggestion to learn all that you can about the plants that grow in your area naturally. You'll get better results with less work and expense if your steer clear of exotics that don't belong.

I just went to a garden tour here in Austin and the home with the largest garden was stocked with nothing but natives. This couple must have had at least one of just about anything that grew in this part of Texas. They had a printed list of species and it included their water bill for the entire house. It was next to nothing because they almost NEVER water the garden, except in cases of extreme drought. They don't need to, because the plants are used to the environment there. Meanwhile neighbors are probably watering their lawns multiple times a week.