Hi Lillie and welcome to Texas! I don't know if gardening here will be better or worse than in Germany, but I DO know that it will be *different*. You don't say where in Texas you will be moving to and differences between north and south and east and west Texas are HUGE.

But unless you are on the coast, we basically have two growing seasons here. Spring and fall. If you are going to be very active outside during the heat of summer, it's best to plan on doing it early in the morning and then again in the evening. Remember to stay hydrated and use sun protection as well.

As for what plants will do well here, it's really best to stay with native and adapted plants. I try hard to stay with those types of plants but usually have some things that will need extra attention too. I've had geraniums in containers and they did well. I'm sure there's someone here that can tell you more about how they will do in the ground. This forum is a great source of information as well so you might want to do a search for geranium on it. The people here are very friendly and will be more than happy to help you with your questions.

Again, welcome to Texas and welcome to the Texas Forum :).

Kristi

Lillie, Welcome to Texas.
I will tell you what is blooming in my garden right now. I live near San Antonio, which is in the middle of the state.
Many people think TX looks like the old western movies. Unless you are moving to west TX, it is not like that.
I have a friend who lives in El Paso TX and shes gardens. She grows beautiful roses. They have very little grass out there, as it takes so much water.

Here is a list of what is blooming noe.

5 climbing old garden roses
13 old garden rose bushes
clematis
Larkspur
columbine
irises bearded
irises louisiana
salvia
verbena
my lillies will be opening in the next day or two.

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Thank you very much for the information, I will be going to Temple, Texas.

When I moved here from Hawaii 11 years ago I gave up growing all kinds of tropical fruits. In its place I found the joys of temperate types of veggies and fruits. There are lots of unique native plants in all parts of the state that will bring new joy if you will embrace the new and give up some of the old you will be happy here. Geraniums are grown throughout the state just not the way you are used to. A give and take will be a part of learning to live within the limitations of wherever you live. Plant roots wherever you are and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.
Welcome to Texas and Happy Growing David

Welcome, I live in Belton just 8 miles south of Temple. There are a number of Garden Web folks in this area. The soil is mostly black clay. It depends on where you live on how deep the soil will be. The soils are all alkaline and you need to adapt what you plant to allow for this. Take a drive around your new neighborhood and see what is growing.

You could consider becoming a Bell County Master Gardener. The next round of classes will begin in January of 2008. If you are interested, you need to get on the list ASAP. The class always fills up and has a waiting list. You will need to call the County Agent to get more information on this 254-933-5305.

Welcome to Central Texas!

I don't know when you will be moving to Temple, but if you are here on Saturday, April 28, the Master Gardeners are having their spring plant sale. Its a great way to get plants that are adapted to this area. The plants tend to be healthy looking and are very reasonably priced.

Do you have a house yet? If you need any help, I can give you the name of a good realtor.

Welcome! PJ

Welcome Lillie, you have come to the right places, Texas and Gardenweb
jolana

Hi Lillie

Welcome to Texas! Lots of folks of German descent originally in the Texas Hill Country and around North Houston. Many have spread out now....you will feel at home in no time! Most go to Missouri Synod Lutheran churches, so they are easy to find.

Hi Lillie, welcome to Texas.

Whatever you want to know you can find out on gardenweb and we'll all be happy to help you any way we can.

Carol Ann

Lillie, welcome to Texas. After you adjust, you should love gardening year round.

Welcome Lillie! I don't know how humid it is in Germany, but get ready for that. I have a friend from TX panhandle (dry climate) who was in Germany for several years and then moved to Dallas (humid) & the only problem she had re-aclimating was the difference in sugar in desserts. lol She got used to German desserts and thought American desserts had too much sugar. She never complained about the humidity - unlike me.

What I love about Texas is that for everything you "leave behind" you find something exciting and unique that you never figured you would ever be able to grow! I came from the far North and yes, I do miss my Lilacs but ....wait till you smell a Gardinea or a Sweet Olive. It will be exciting for you- trust me. Oh, and the near endless growing season is so nice compared to living in the Northern latitudes.

I lived in Temple for most of the 90s. A great deal of the area does indeed have heavy clay soil that goes deep, but there are parts of town where the soil is shallow and limestone lies just 6" below the surface. I know, because I had to install a privacy fence one summer. By myself. Ugh.

Temple's fairly humid, with a decent amount of rainfall. Don't expect tumbleweeds and desert vistas--it's a green, tree-filled city. The wildflowers beside the country roads are gorgeous in the spring. A tremendous variety of flowering and fruiting plants will grow there, just be sure you get one adapted for the region.

For me ... As all the others ...
First Off...
WELCOME TO TEXAS..The every changing weather...so there really is NO way to prepare for weather here...its changes second to second....
BUT..
Us Texans...stilll Love our state...and the long seasons!!!

Here's a pic of one of my G's...has been there for 3 yrs and this yr the 4th is still going strong!

HERES ANOTHER BED OF GERANIUMS!...
"IF" YOU WATER AND TAKE CARE IN THE HEAT..THEY LOVE YA!..THESE ARE FULL AFTERNOON SUN..FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS!

WELCOME TO TEXAS.....YES HUMIDITY..YES HOT...ALSO..."ABSOLUTELY" THE MOST LOVING AND UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL PEOPLE THERE IS ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH!!!
GOOD LUCK AND STAY TUNED HERE ON GARDEN WEB..WE LOVE AND SHELTER EVERYONE!

DENA

Welcome! I moved to TX this time last year from Toronto Canada. I'm not in your area, I'm in west central TX.

I thought I would try my hand at gardening to keep me busy until I got my green card and I failed miserably and expensively.

Between here, the library and the internet in general I spent the year reading & learning and now I actually have things blooming!