The Black Thumb Guide to Gardening
Your flowers never grow, but you can’t put your finger on what you’re doing wrong. With these tips, tricks, and techniques, you’ll soon be an old hand at gardening.
Gardening Know-How
17 Tools Every Gardener Should Own
Just what you need, no matter how big or small your plot.

Outdoor Organizing
Here are 20 clever ideas to help get your summertime gear in gear.
Photo: David Prince
Shop Smart at the Garden Center
Here's how to prepare for your trip, spot healthy plants, and select the right tools.
Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo
Elegant, Exquisite, Easy Flower Arrangements
The layperson’s guide to creating beautiful, lush fancy-flower-shop arrangements at home.
Photo: Martyn Thompson
Composting 101
Composting upgrades garden soil, keeps plants healthy, and can even lessen planet-unfriendly greenhouse gases. Here’s how
to do it.
Photo: Sang An
Flowers, Shrubs, and More
Start-a-Garden Checklist
Whether you’re itching to plant azaleas or zucchini―or something in between―you need to do a little handiwork before you begin. Here’s what you need to know.
- Assess your exposure. If you are planting vegetables, keep in mind that most need at least eight hours of full sun every day. Flowers and other decorative plants have different sunlight needs, depending on their type. Study what sort of light your yard gets during the day, particularly noting the sunny and shady areas.
- Designate your planting areas. You need a plan before you plant. A four-by-four-foot plot of land is a good start for vegetables. For flowers, decide where you’d like to dig the beds.
- Consider a fence. Fences are especially important if you are planting vegetables (although some flowering plants may be enticing to critters, too). Build it before you plant the garden, so rabbits or raccoons never get a glimpse (or a taste) of that lettuce.
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