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How to Select the Best Plants for Your Garden. There's more to choosing what to plant than
personal preference. Here are a few things to take into account. You will need Plants
suited to your climate Soil test Landscape plan and horticulturist. Step 1. Work with
your climate. Most seed packets contain information about the type of weather needed to grow a
particular plant, and the region of the country where the plant grows best. Don't forget to
factor in how much sunlight your particular garden gets. Step 2. Know your soil. You may
be able to boost its mineral content with fertilizer, but you can't change its basic
composition. Bring a sample to your local gardening center; they can tell you what kind
of soil you have and provide an at-home testing kit to see if it could benefit from added
nutrients. Step 3. Consider the commitment you're willing to make in terms of time and
effort; some plants are less labor-intensive than others. Decide if you want annuals – plants
that need to be replanted every year; perennials, which will come back on their own; or a combination
thereof. Step 4. Know the water requirements of each plant. Nurturing plants with vastly
different needs may prove difficult. Step 5. Think of the big picture: Choose plants
that complement each other. If color is important to you, pick a combination that keeps something
in bloom most of the time. Some gardening websites let you design a virtual garden so
you can see how everything looks together before making any purchases. Step 6. Think
of the local pests – critters that might make growing a particular plant more frustrating
than rewarding – and plan accordingly. Step 7. Ask your local gardening center if they
have a certified professional horticulturist on hand. They can help you make your final
decisions. Did you know An average-size woman burns about 200 calories an hour gardening.