Regional Guides and Resources

The United States is a very big country with a wide variety of climates and habitats. Every plant species has a unique set of needs, such as minimum and maximum temperature, water, and soil type. Light is a factor as well, of course; areas closer to the tropics have more stable light levels, while northern regions have a lot of light in the summer and not much at all in the winter. Of course, climate is on a gradient, but it is useful to divide the country into several gardening regions based on average high and low temperatures, number of frost-free days, amounts of precipitation, and other factors. It's tempting to think that the tropics are naturally more suited to growing everything, but this isn't true; while there are many beautiful tropical flowers ,  vegetables like peas   and broccoli   prefer cool temperatures, and lilacs   only grow in areas with freezing winters.

To keep your garden or yard looking beautiful, work with what you have. Live in a dry area? Try a cactus   and succulent   garden instead of a lawn. Are your winters cold and snowy? You might enjoy a beautiful display of lilacs when the weather finally warms up. There are plants suited to every region, and of course the boudaries of each region are fuzzy. With a little TLC, you might be able to grow out of your climate zone.

If the southern coast of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia or South Carolina is your home, the Coastal and Tropical South Gardening Guide is your guide.	Do you call New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland home? The Mid Atlantic Gardening Guide is all about your area.	If you live in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, or north-eastern New York, the New England Gardening Guide is for you.	If you live on the soggy coast of Washington, Oregon or northern California, the Pacific Northwest Gardening Guide will help you make the most of those rare sunny days.	If your home is in the narrow band of orange on this map , the Upper South Gardening Guide is for you.

Looking for a way to tie everything together aesthetically in your garden? Not sure where to begin? Some of these theme gardens might inspire you and help you plan your outdoor space.

Interested in making your garden more efficient?  Check out our Guide to Hydroponic Vegetable Gardening for more information.

Just need some general advice? You might find the help you need on our page of gardening tips . If the answer isn't there, it's out on the web somewhere and the gardening resources page is a great place to start.

Supplies

Scattering seeds in the wind works if you're planning a wildflower garden ,  but that's about it. Most plants you'll want to grow in your garden will need a little bit more attention; bulbs need to be planted deeper than seeds ,  for example. Whether you're pruning your lilac bushes or just giving your vegetable garden a boost of extra Fertilizers , you'll need a few basic supplies to keep everything coming up roses   (and daffodils   and tomatoes   and...).

Fertilizers will make your plants grow big and strong. Make sure you have enough of the good stuff -- soil and soil amendments . Mulch will keep out many weeds, among other things -- read the article for more. You might also want to consider getting a composter to help supplement your garden and dispose of garden and kitchen waste.	Garden tools and gardening hand tools make garden maintenance easier. Garden hoses get water to where you need it.	Trouble in your little patch of Eden? Try bird and mammal deterrents to keep woodland critters from causing trouble in paradise. Plant disease control programs can take care of many fungal infections. Weed control programs keep out plants you don't want. Use an integrated garden insect management strategy to control creepy-crawlies.	Vegetable seeds will make for a delicious harvest all summer long. Herb seeds add spice to any garden, while annuals , perennials and flowering vines bloom from spring to fall. Plant Flower bulbs in the fall for a spectacular spring show!	Make sure everyone knows exactly who the top gardener is with personal touches like garden accents and gardening signs and markers . Feeling ambitious? You might be ready to install a greenhouse to jump-start your harvest or just to maintain a collection of tropical plants

Equipment

Sometimes, maintaining your outdoor space takes a little extra effort. With gas prices on the rise, you might want to look into the most efficient form of these tools or use a manual form instead. (Mowing your lawn with a manual mower is also good exercise!)

Keep your plants under control with chain saws , hedge trimmers and string trimmers .	Lawn mowers and lawn tractors will keep your grass looking great.	Pressure washers , leaf blowers and snow blowers keep everything neat and tidy outdoors.	Tillers help you prepare your garden for planting. Great for vegetable gardens.

Accessories

You work so hard to maintain your yard; don't forget to take time to enjoy it too! If wildlife watching is your thing, make your yard as inviting as possible to the animals you love. If you just like to read a good book while you work on your tan, you have your pick of hammocks   and outdoor furniture .  Don't forget to check out the buying guide to grills for the ultimate in outdoor entertaining.

Grilling is a great way to entertain during the summer; make sure you have a grill and barbecue tools . Show off your culinary talents with a smoker .	Nothing is quite as relaxing in a hammock under the shade of your favorite tree. Don't forget a pillow ,  a book and some sunscreen !	Not sure you're ready for company? Our outdoor entertaining guide will help you make sure you have everything you need. Hint: outdoor furniture gives everyone a place to chill.	If you love to watch wildlife, make sure your yard has both food and water: bird baths , bird feeders , and plenty of wild bird food are absolute necessities! (You might also want a field guide   and binoculars .  )