Welcome! Now there's a climate change for you! How are you doing? I'm not from those areas, but when I read your post, I just wanted to let you know that this is a very friendly bunch and if your advice is for anything garden-related, go ahead and post your questions over on the discussions section.

You'll get plenty of advice and probably a bunch of welcomes. No need to be shy here. It's a great resource. (I myself have bounced from 10 years in Alaska, to Houston, to London, to Houston again, so I know what a change this state can represent!)

Yes, I'm in Leander. I'll help if I can.

Carla

Hello, and welcome to Texas! As a former upstater, I know what you are going through (yeah, cactus ain't cute and aren't those fire ants the worst!). Texas has almost year-round gardening, and in spite of our somewhat challenging weather, we can grow some magnificent stuff here!
First, contact your county extension agent (he's in the phone book) and get a list of recommended plants for your region.
Then, get hold of the Texas Master Naturalists in Austin (Zilker Botanical Gardens can give you a contact, or Google on CAMN)who can tell you about native and adapted plants, and what NOT to plant. They also know about soil types, rain collection, and a lot of other needful things. Also there is a very active and helpful Master Gardener group in Williamson County. Your extension agent will be able to put you in contact with them.
And never fail to post specific questions on the Gardening in Texas site--any question is cheerfully received, no "dumb" questions exist. We all have been there and done that, and possibly killed the plant in the process!
When you get a tad discouraged, remember, we can wear shorts in January here!