Question
Hello Mark,

I recently bought my first home and don't know where to begin
in terms of the yard.

My back yard is largely shaded and my front is about 50/50.  I
live in Texas so summers are tough.  What is a good source of
information for design ideas as well as specific plants for the
climate?  How do I become a green thumb!

thanks for any help!

Answer
Elizabeth,

Actually, one of the best sources of information on what plants work well in your area is your area.  Drive around the neighborhood, or adjoining neighborhoods, and look for yards with similar conditions, if only in parts.  And also look for stuff you like (bed locations, particular plants and trees, etc).

Thumbs turn green slowly.  By doing a little snooping you can learn from other folks' experiences.  Don't necessarily just start grabbing stuff and the local Home Repair Store's garden center.  They'll be stocked with stuff that's easy to grow and ship, not necessarily with plants that will succeed for you.

Regarding planning landscapes in general:
When I have had new landscapes like this to plan, I start the plan from
specific points of view..."What do I want to see from here (and here,
and here, etc.)?".

I do not start by  saying "what do I plant around the edges of
everything?"

I stand across the street...and look...how do I want my place to look as
people drive up?  I stand at the kitchen window...what do I want to look at during the
long  hours I'll be doing dishes?  Front door, deck, living room window, etc.
I repeat this process  from all the places that people will likely be
standing and looking over time. Consider neighbors too.

Now I get the answers down on a map of the lot.  This is the puzzle.
How can I see this from here and that from there... but that's the fun.
Put plants where they will be seen, not where they look good on an
overhead landscape map.

For what it's worth,
Mark in Portland