Garden Information Guide

A garden plot is a site that is set aside for growing and cultivating plants.  The size of the plot, soil type, sunlight, topography, and location all must be considered when planning a garden.  Climate, as indicated by this Plant Hardiness Zone Map, often constrains the character of a garden, and gardeners sometimes start seedlings indoors to broaden the selection of viable plants for their gardens.  Budget also plays a role in the overall garden design.

There are a number of basic garden types to choose from.  Cottage gardens and kitchen gardens supply fruits, vegetables, and flowers.  Some gardens are formal; others are designed for entertaining or family play activities.  Enclosed gardens offer privacy.  Wooded areas work well for woodland or wildlife gardens; water gardens have ponds, while coastal gardens require plants that can survive salty spray.  Front yard gardens and rooftop gardens are also appropriate in certain situations.

When planning your garden, select native plants or plants that suit your garden style.  Choose plants that you find attractive or that produce fruits and vegetables that you enjoy eating.  Some gardeners like to build structure into their garden plans.  Arbors, pergolas, and gazebos give places for plants to climb.  Patios and decks are enjoyable places to entertain and relax.  Walls and fences, as well as screens and trellises, provide privacy.  Decorative containers and plant pots are often used for annuals, while garden beds and borders provide places to plant a wonderful variety of flowers or shrubs.  Well-designed landscape lighting can complete the picture, welcoming visitors to the garden in the evening.

A botanical garden is a collection of living plants, often designed and maintained by its members, that exhibits ornamental plants and their taxonomies.  Many botanical gardens exhibit these plants in a manner that emphasizes their natural settings and relationships.  Botanical gardens are valuable reservoirs of plant varieties, and they offer training courses and seminars for gardeners.

The nonprofit National Gardening Association is a leader in plant-based education and strives to foster an appreciation for the benefits of gardening.  On this page, you will find selected gardening resources for the home gardener, as well as products designed for use in backyard gardens.

• Bird Feeders
  
  Find bird feeders, bird houses, birdbaths and birding resources.
  www.BirdFeeders.us
• Garden Fountains
  
  Garden fountain selection and installation guide.
  www.GardenFountains.us
• Garden Sheds
  
  Garden storage shed guide and supplier directory.
  www.GardenSheds.us
• Lawn Sprinklers
  
  Lawn sprinkler systems and drip irrigation systems.
  www.LawnSprinklers.us
• Lawn Tractors
  
  Compare lawn and garden tractors and riding mowers.
  www.LawnTractors.us
• Plant Nurseries
  
  Retail and wholesale plant nurseries, and garden centers.
  www.PlantNurseries.us
• Pond Supplies
  
  Find a selection of garden pond supplies and accessories.
  www.PondSupplies.us
• Seed Catalogs
  
  Vegetable, flower, and herb seeds for your garden.
  www.SeedCatalogs.us
• Tree Nurseries
  
  Fruit trees, shade trees, evergreen trees and flowering shrubs.
  www.TreeNurseries.us

Garden Resources

• GardenWeb
  
  This Internet gardening community features convenient access to gardener forums, garden businesses, and a plant database, as well as plant and seed exchanges, gardening tips, and a searchable garden topics directory.
  www.GardenWeb.com
• Gardening Video Portfolio
  
  An overview of gardens and gardening as well as several gardening-themed videos can be found on this page.
  Vimeopro.com/zeducorp/gardening

Chosen Sites > Garden Products And Services