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We just bought a brand new house and are litteraly doing the landscape from scratch.. or dirt. =\ I have no gardening experience and am not really sure where to even start? It will be 90% crusted stone in the front because we live in the desert.. any tips ideas or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

I have no specific suggestions, but contact a nursery that specializes in xeriscapes. The folks next door to us when we lived in Las Vegas did their yard with all desert natives and it was gorgeous! Didn't require a bunch of water or maintenance either.

Jax639, Welcome to HGTV's message board!

Congrats on your new home! It looks very nice and your yard certainly has potential.

Your thought to go low water usage to adapt to your desert climate is a good one. Choosing plants that will thrive in their environment without heroic efforts on your part is a step in right direction. Which is the reason that plants native to the area are often such a good choice. They're low maintenance and, usually, easy to grow, requiring little, if any, fertilizers, etc.

•Gather ideas and information
If doing all the work yourself, I'd recommend that you start by buying, or borrowing from your local library, books about drought-tolerant/El Paso area native plants/succulents & cacti/desert/xeriscape landscaping books. It's also helpful to go to local public gardens, or on garden tours (which garden clubs usually offer) where you can see mature plants in the ground and get landscaping ideas. Check out what the neighbors are doing to their yards, too. See if your local Master Gardeners or County Extension offers landscaping ideas/suggestions and/or classes.

•Create a detailed plan
When it comes to plant selection, make sure the information/suggestions are specific to your location/ gardening zone/USDA Hardiness Zone Finder <~click to find your zone. Internet searching will give you lots of ideas, too. Planning it all out--including hardscape and irrigation system, if any, before you start will, in my opinion, save you time and money in the long run and make for a more cohesive result.

In my area, some local nurseries will help with landscaping plans if you purchase all your plants, landscaping supplies, etc. from them. Check to see if that might be true in yours, too.

Good luck and please do post back and let us know how it goes.

mom lived in vegas for years...the local utility co had a garden to visit for ideas...i do agree, visit a local nursery that carries plants, and drought tolerant trees...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjf,

Remember the advice about investing. It makes sense to investigate before putting any money into something. I think the same advice applies to how we decorate the outsides of our homes since it is the first thing people look at.
I would walk around the neighborhood, see what others have done and what effects it gives.
I believe in the South-West, the soil is very alkaline and any plants should reflect the pH that makes for good growing. I agree, talk to your local nurseries, ask questions and satisfy yourself what look you want.
Start slow, don't try to do it all at once. That way, if you make a mistake or choose another theme, it isn't so hard to change.

Congratulations on your new home and wish you many years of pride for your labors.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice! I have an idea of the things id like to do after seeing some neighbors landscaping come together, Ill be visiting some gardening centers in search for advice this week =] Thanks again!!

Also, don't forget that your county extension office might be able to help with suggestions. They have lots of info that is specific for their area!

Absolutely talk with the people at your counties office of the Texas A & M Cooperative Extension Service for suggestions. Depending on were around El Paso you are trying to maintain a New England garden can be very expensive while a desert garden most likley would not be.