What I have selected are three components that are vital to plant growth so that you can focus on a short list of things to do, and feel as though you have a part in the success of your landscape.

Of the three components selected out of the hundreds involved, the sun is essential for sustaining all life on earth as it interacts with plants. Was it not for the plants converting solar energy into carbon through the process of photosynthesis, no other life form would proliferate on the planet including man, animals and the life in the soil?

Not to underestimate the importance of every component vital to complete the cycle of this continual interaction but simply realize the significance of photosynthesis in plant life as the engine that keeps the system running.

Right out of the blocks we must admit that mankind does not play an enormous part in the overall process, for who among us in the history of mankind has contributed to improving the process of photosynthesis?

Man has harnessed primary sources of energy in solar, nuclear, wind and water and put them to work. But of all the means that man has devised to power his movement and work around the planet each is reliant on plant life. Coal, oil and gas reserves are products of plant carbon residue compressed over time and even the new generation of internal combustion engines are emerging will run on various forms of plant extracts.

The other three sources of energy, nuclear wind and water, none have contributed to feeding nutrients directly to mankind. So we must conclude that plants play a vital part in our life and deserve attention as we go about our daily activities.

When the sun interacts with plants it stimulates cell growth and cell reproduction which in turn necessitate resources of minerals and nutrients that are derived from the air and soil within the plants immediate habitat. So now we have found an activity where man can contribute, improve the habitat and provide the resources unique to the plants need.

All plants are native or natural to a particular region of the earth because they thrive on the conditions that exist in that place at just the correct amount. This may seem obvious but so often I am asked, can I get "blue spruce" to grow in Texas? Why is my "sego palm" struggling or dying?

You can usually inject any plant in the parentheses, as people will attempt to grow ill adapted plants whereever they find themselves living.

So to succeed we are left with two choices, grow plants that are adapted to the region we live in or work very hard to provide the complete habitat the selected plant will need.

When it comes to the exposure to the sun we have it quite easy, place the plants where they will receive the exposure they prefer. Most plants are tagged in the nursery, full sun, partial or full shade which computes to 8-12 hours of direct sunlight down to 6-0 hours of exposure. So we can take this information and group our plants according to the available sunlight in each area of our landscape.

The only variables are the changes that will most likely take place ass the plants mature. As the trees enlarge their canopy they may shade grasses or plants that were placed in full sun, in other cases a canopy may be lost and expose the plants it protected to too much direct light for their liking.

Another variable is the intensity of the sunlight. The early morning sunlight that washes the east side patio is much less intense than the late afternoon sun that bakes the west side of your home. Both conditions may provide limited hours of direct light but it takes a hardy plant to withstand the intense afternoon heat of the setting sun reflecting off the siding.

The early and late sun must penetrate extra atmosphere due to the angle of attack but the evening exposure is compounded with the buildup of temperatures throughout the day, the expansion of the atmosphere and the reduction of moisture in the air to absorb the heat.

How we contribute to providing plants the proper exposure to the sun is simply to remain observant of the changes that are taking place on our landscape as time passes.

If we pay attention when placing plants in a location where they will prosper we have taken the first step to for success.

Diversity plays a big part in all this as it was once questioned whether plants were here for the soil or the soil was there for the plants. If we consider the symbiotic relationship of every component in the growing cycle than we understand the need for diverse plant life to feed the soil during each season of the year.

Nature is full of diversity in the pastures and forests of the world, diversity is maintained to provide a balanced diet for grazing animals but also to ensure coverage and availability all year long. Certainly the demands put on the soil will fluctuate from the high yield of spring to the needs of dormant winter months, but throughout the year the soil can benefit from a diversity of plants taking over during a season as others recede.

Planning for this seasonal continuation also provides color and texture variations for our enjoyment year long and maintains a healthy soil to do the work.

To sum up all of this information, work with what God has created and not against it by trying to constantly manipulate the soil. This includes not only our residential landscapes but our gardens, pastures and forest lands as well.

Natural Solutions is a weekly column by Dwayne Somerville owner of Texas Organic Landscaping and manager of 3W Ranch Supply. Questions or comments are welcomed at dwayne@greenspaceenvironment. com