I need some Suggestions Please?

We've just bought our first house.. we've never really lived anywhere that we could garden or anything.. so Ive no idea where to start.. i have alot of questions and need alot of suggestions.. We live in western Oklahoma.. Theres a very large mimosa tree in front of our house, and a small garden area along the walk going to the house, which the previous owners filled with rocks.. But id like to put some plants in.. our back yard isn't huge, but big enough, theres no trees or anything in it right now. theres a nice size Pergola sitting area, and a small barn looking tool shed. Theres not really any garden areas in the back just grass and weeds (goatheads bleh) I'd like to begin making plans for spring, so i don't decide what plants i want when its already too late to plant them. Everything needs to be dog friendly since they will be spending the most time out there.

I need some Suggestions Please?
now that i have printed out the five pages to get the gist of it all --- i hopefully can come up with some advice .!

because the mimosa tree is so big it will be too shady for anything of much value in your neck of the woods to grow ( every plant needs sun etc to kick on ) but you could put bulbs in --- snowdrops , daffies , tulips , gladdies .they will alll kick on somewhere along the line .

and the are dog friendly ! ( lol) .

i,m not sure of oklahomas weather and that bothers me on further advice for your open area ( i live in north queensland in oz and i feel fairly sure tropical living is not where you are ) nonetheless we'll have a go .

you need to invest in something that is in your area . why don't you go for a walk around your streets and see what everyone else has done to their gardens ( and pinch some info ) lol!!

attract birds by putting plants that bring nectar ( but the bees willl be there too!!! )

indeed marigolds keep bugs away --- but not mozzies ( you might consider buying a neem bush / tree , which has natural citronella in its leaves ) .

as an overview --- the best advice i would give ( other than anything that is worthy from my comments ) is go round your area and have a look at what other people have ( especially in gardens that have been established for a numbetr of years .

good luck .
Reply:Get a leash.
Reply:I would like to see you visit your closest arboretum or horticultural society. The information you need and the guidance to put it into place is all there for you. It is very inexpensive to join and you get access to hundreds of books and publications as well as classes and symposiums. They do tours of other gardens in your area and you can learn from everyone there. All are eager to help. Good luck and enjoy the learning experience. With gardening, it never ends.