Where's everyone from?

[txbeyer]

May I offer a suggestion. I think it would really be helpful if members posted where they are from, e.g. city and state, or a region of a state. I keep wondering if there is anyone other than me from central Texas but looking at public profiles doesn't help much. Bernard, maybe you can make this a required input for registering. Gardening is so different depending upon where folks are from so in replying to posts, this would be very helpful. Thanks to everyone who has voluntarily provided that helpful information on their profiles.

[PlantSwap]

Well, there is a location field already there. I'll see if I can make it mandatory.

P.S. The site is still pretty new, so Austinites are still discovering it.

[PlantSwap]

OK, the location field in the profile is now mandatory. Hopefully, this will help (can't control what people actually type in the field).

[Debby(GA)]

I live about 45 miles north of Atlanta, not quite in the mountains.

[PlantSwap]

Would you mind editing the location field in your profile so that it is displayed with every post you make? It helps people who may not read this thread.

[forumposters]

I'm from Santa Rosa, California where just about anything that's not tropical grows well here. We get several nights that go down to 28 or 29 degrees each winter here so there are a few things that are hard to grow here. I'm trying to grow an avacado tree right now and I'm not sure it's going to make it.

[PlantSwap]

Hi forumposters, welcome to the forums.

I've got a small (Hass) avacado tree growing in a pot on my back patio. I'm not sure how big it will get or how long it will live here, but I'm going to find out.

[maryj21]

HI, I'm new to this site. I tried to look at my profile to see if it has my location, but haven't figured that out, yet....
I live in a rural area in north Texas, about 20 miles south of OK border. I've only been in Tx about 5 years and am trying to learn about southern gardening!!! This summer was a scorcher! I'll be looking for all the tips I can get. Good to be on board with y'all..

[PlantSwap]

Hi Mary, welcome to the forum.

Your location currently shows "Gainesville (zone 7)". If that's a town in Texas, you might want to add an ", TX" to it or people are likely going to assume you are in Florida.

[txbeyer]

Hi forumposters, Your location appears to be very similar to mine in Austin, TX, (Zone 8b/9a) but I'm sure you get more rain than we do. We drop below freezing often during the winter but with low humidity. This does make gardening a challenge - being borderline.

Thanks for letting us know where you are as this is important when we share gardening experiences and talk about plants. There are several "hardy" avacados that have been developed that will take freezes. If you go to the Texas A&M (Aggie Horticulture) site, look up Aggie Horticulture in Google, there may be more info. about them. I know several people in TX who have gotten them (not cheaply as they are grafted), but do know they exist. I can't remember the variety names however, nor know of any specific sources. I am flirting with some citrus that is cold resistent here in Austin.

[txbeyer]

Hi Mary and welcome to our Forum . Yes you do live in a challenging place for ornamental gardening - extremely hot summers, cold winters with snow and ice, but that also can make gardening interesting. We moved to Austin in Jan 06 from Houston which was subtropical, plenty of rain, high humidity, and now I have to learn about a very different gardening environment in central TX, colder in winter, hotter in summer, much dryer, much lower humididy, and very alkaline limestone based soil. Every location has it's uniqueness and there are always plants well suited to it, so just try new things and become your own researcher - and I bet you'll find a few surprises in the process. e.g. I coiuldn't grow roses, geraniums, and any plant requiring excellent drainage in Houston but found out they thrive in the Hill Country. We learn every day!

[maryj21]

How do I go in and change my profile??

[txbeyer]

In the bar above that begins with "home" and ends with "Log Out", click on "Quick Links" then "Edit Profile". It's very easy to do.

[Gram18]

Guess I better let everyone know where I am! From Altoona, Pa. Not the city the outskirts. Hello to all of you and a BIG welcome. So glad to read about new faces!!

[Kathy547]

I am new to this site although I've been a member of other sites for years (just found this one a few weeks ago). I live on the Arkansas/Louisiana state line. I have lots of house plants but mostly prefer outdoor gardening.