Gardening

Gardening is a great hobby that offers plenty of tangible rewards--not to mention a surprisingly good workout! Whether you're interested in flower or vegetable gardens, you'll need a few essentials to get started. First, be sure that your soil is up to par. If you live in an area with poor soil (such as clay), you'll probably need to add in fertilizer to get started.Don't forget your basic equipment! A trowel is the essential gardening tool, and it never hurts to have a couple on-hand (or to invest in ergonomically-friendly models!). If you're working in larger spaces, you'll need a shovel and a hoe. If you'll be tending to a small area, you'll probably want a foam kneepad to sit on. Most importantly, you'll need gardening gloves. Proper-fitting gloves can make the difference between a fun day spent in the sun or a week of blisters. Fortunately for those who want to garden in style, more designer-inspired gloves are hitting the market.Once you have the basic supplies, it's time to pick out plants. For those interested in a flower garden, consider planting annuals. Although these only last for about a season, they require little maintenance. Popular spring annuals include impatiens, marigolds, and petunias, while pansies and violas are hardy winter annuals. On the other hand, perennials will require more maintenance, but will reward you with blooms year after year.For those looking to grow vegetable gardens, tomatoes are a wonderful place to start. Peppers are another easy-to-grow veggie that's fun to harvest. While the thought of a home-grown salad may be appealing, if you want to grow lettuce, watch for the mold that can easily take hold of this tender veggie.Another gardening possibility is that of container gardening. Apartment dwellers, those who live in closely packed urban houses with no yards, people who use wheelchairs, and even young children can create a successful container garden. Though they need more frequent watering than in-ground gardens, they require much less gardening work overall.