Which plants thrive in zone 6?

The optimum (south) side of your house for growing veg is shaded, rats. East gets morning light, west afternoon sun...might work. Plant what you like to eat. You can get established fruit trees from most garden centers in spring, but don't expect a harvest the first season you plant them.

The most strenuous effort you'll encounter is weeding - 7-9 layers of newspaper with mulch on top will reduce the work. *still grinning at "Herculean"*

Merry Meet,

Reyn

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The local nurseries are insulting because your question is just too complicated to answer in a professional way without going into great detail, time that the local nursery can't spare and expect to get their work done. I can tell you that most plants do well in full sunlight if there is adequate water in the soil. Tomatoes and peppers are a good choice. They will even produce well in poor soil.

Yes..there are plenty of plant snobs around...I don't doubt that you got a cold shoulder. Can you be a little more specific? Do you want ornamentals, shrubs, pretty flowers, a full landscape? Cactus, sedums, dwarf tree, ornamental grasses, flowering perennials? Pick out some southwestern landscape pictures you like for space and hardiness (and low-care), and identify them to get started on what to plant. This will give you an idea of what thrives in your area and what will grow nicely together and complement your landscape. Try searching "show me gardens in zone 6" and you will get pictures of everything from window boxes to acreages...hope this helps as a start..good luck!

you're up in the top of the panhandle? if you aren't then double check w/ the National Arboretum because the plant hardiness zones have changed recently.

as areas build up & become more crowded--more buildings closer together, more paved surfaces--add extra concrete & other surfaces that can hold heat & can warm an area up. also, the agriculture department is recognizing more "micro climates". simply, how your yard is laid out & how your fencing, house, & larger plants protect your yard can make your yard have a slightly different climate to your general area.

check the website for your local extension office. (do a search for "extension office Texas your county or city") they will usually have a list of native plants for your area & plants that will grow in your area w/ your level of rainfall. (but also be aware of any HOA restrictions, if you have an HOA. sometimes they aren't very native plant friendly for what goes on in your front yard--I'm in Houston---there are very few places to live in my area that don't have HOAs)

below are a couple of links to sites that recommend plants for the Panhandle in zones 6b through 7b.

High Plains Gardening

http://www.highplainsgardening.com/?q=content/plan...

Canyon's Edge Plants/ Gardening in the Panhandle

http://canyonsedgeplants.com/content/notes-gardeni...

edit to your additional details:

almost any traditional edibles you want. zones 6 to 7 seem to be the sweet spot temprature wise for most plants.

any and all herbs in containers. if you like mints, keep them in pots. they are invasive & will take over.

tomatoes (temprature wise you're in an almost perfect locale for them. not sure about water wise)

artichokes

bush beans or pole beans

squash

if water is an issue, check out "wicking beds". these are raised beds that you build that are like giant self watering pots. I've seen several styles. some are completely raised & some are partially raised (they are dug into the ground w/ about 1/2 into the ground & the other half raised)

here are a couple of links (they are very popular in Austrailia. in the North America they are called "sub-irrigation planters" or "sub-irrigation beds"

http://www.wickingbed.com/wicking%20bed%20technolo...

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic....

http://easygrowvegetables.com/html/wickingbed.html

North Texas takes in a lot of territory. I'm assuming it is "sorta" dry there, so look at http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ for ideas.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parson... might be helpful as well.