Step 1. Know your garden space.

Soil, water, sun and climate are the variables that will dictate whether your garden will be successful. Some observations you need to make are - how much sun does the garden get per day? Does the soil drain or does it stay wet? Is the soil stony or slippery? Do you experience freezing winters? How big is your garden - can you plant large plants or do you need to keep plants small? Do you want the same garden every year or do you want to change it from year to year?

Step 2. Pick a garden type.

Are you interested in a vegetable garden, a cutting garden, a small city garden, a container garden, a perennial garden, a low maintenance garden, a wildlife garden, a foliage garden, a Japanese garden. All of the choices are beautiful.

Step 3. Create a landscape design.

Select plants based on the information above. Use color, size and plant habit (spreading, upright, etc.) to guide you. Taller plants should be in the rear. You will also need to be mindful of the difference between annuals and perennials. Annuals will not winter over; perennials will. If you will be using perennials, be sure to put them where they can remain.

Tip: Visit local gardens to see plants in their natural setting to determine whether you really like it and to see what grows well in your area.

Tip: Talk to other gardeners to see which plants they have really been impressed by. They may even have a cutting or some seeds from their favorite plants.

Tip: Check with your local garden club to see if any of the plants you want are available to you for free.

Tip: If deer are a problem, check with your local garden club or a garden center for resistant plant species or spray them with a repellant.