I think some thought on a design would be a good idea. The plants you mention for the natural "moist shade" garden dont actually take shade well, with the exception of 'nettles' by which I think you mean lamium. (There are actually several perennials with nettle in the name, so I could be wrong). Bee balm is a sun perennial and in your zone can be very rigorous so think carefully about where you plant it and how much maintenance you are going to be able to give it (it probably needs to be divided and kept in bounds every other year)Yellow dock is generally considered an invasive weed, and looks like one, so it would be difficult to incorporate into a garden. And please pay attention to the warning about mint, it will easily take over any garden area. Just based on the few plants you named, I think maybe you should do a bit more research before you get going. I dont want to discourage you- please go forward with a garden, just make sure you understand the plants you are planting.

Enjoying all of these posts...thanks so much for sharing them with us!! I feed a number of squirrels and have a bird feeding table and suet hangers,etc. I have one very fat squirrel who fusses at me when the seed gets low or gone. One morning I was about to step through the garden gate when for some reason I stopped. Not 6 inches from my face on the gate post was this squirrel...not moving a muscle...I stared in to his face and as luck would have it I had my camera. Now..I'll have to go and find out how to post the picture. I admit I was scared...one never knows what these fellas will do. He just sat there and then suddenly jumped down and ran to the tree where the feeders are. It was a little close for comfort..but..he's here all of the time and a lot of mornings he's on the fence outside the back door...just waiting for me. He will come on the patio and get seed but I don't try it often...it's best if he continues on in his own world...too close to mine might make him a little too tame. He actually let me move my hand up and snap a photo...glad to have it of him..he's really a part of the garden and back yard...now I can remember him! :)))))

Holley, people ARE scared to grow roses. I have 85 or so at work and get asked CONSTANTLY about how much time I spend (mostly I water and I deadhead when I do it, spray once in a while and fertilize two or three times a year at the most) and cannot believe I don't hire it out to someone.....I DO hire out the grass but not the roses! I have people here who come in ans say they have had problems, cant grow them, killed them etc and mine are growing away.

Motor oil is very harmful to the garden if the bucket gets spilled, so be very careful! Mosquitos in the back yard: Get rid of ivy and other low growing plants which harbor moisture and create breeding grounds for mosquitos. Also get rid of any standing water, and use dunks or barley powder in your rain barrels. The best solution to pest problems is to remove the source of the problem (which granted, you can't always do, but getting rid of Ivy is a big one!!!)