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You may love the outdoors, and have been an active person all of your life.  You may hike, walk, run or ski regularly and like to stay out in nature whenever possible.  However, you may have found that you’d like to slow down a little as you age.  Yet, you would still like to get out in the sunshine and fresh air.  What activity will allow you do take it slow and yet get a daily dose of nature?  The answer is Gardening!

Gardening is a terrific way to stay active and feel alive, yet take it steady and slow as well.  Nothing is as rewarding as the feel of the soil between your fingers, as you till up the beds for the new planting season.  You will love the feeling of working your little plot of land, and seeing your very own harvest of homegrown produce.  An added benefit are the delicious, organic fruits and vegetables that you’ll be able to enjoy on your table, grown right in your own backyard!  Gardening can build community in your neighborhood as well, because you can share any extra with your neighbors and friends.

If you are new to Gardening, you may be wondering where to start.  Well, the first step is to set aside a little space in your yard to cultivate.  Look for deep green grass, as the best soil will have the healthiest looking growth already in place.  You may want to take a little time here to decide what you’d like to focus on.  Some plants do better with shade and other with more sun.  This can determine exactly where you should locate your new garden plot.

Once you’ve laid out where your new garden will be, start by tilling up the soil.  You can do this by hand, but the best way is to use a gas-powered tiller.  This will power through difficult roots with no effort at all, and will speed up the process tremendously.  Borrow one from a friend, or you can rent one at most home improvement stores or local rental services.  Once you’ve finished tilling, add some nutrients to the soil.  You can use old fashioned manure or compost, or simply buy the blended products available today.  Most nurseries carry a wide selection to choose from.

Now you’ve reached the fun step in Gardening, the planting!  This is where you decide what types of produce you’d like your new garden to hold.  For the beginner, tomatoes and cucumbers are easy and forgiving of any mistakes.  If you are more ambitious, try your hand at growing some strawberries or potatoes.

Whatever you decide to plant, your next step is to care for them as they mature.  Some like dry conditions, whereas other plants need plenty of moisture.  You may need to fertilize your soil again, or leave your garden as it is.  For specifics, your most valuable resource will be your local nursery.  They can help answer any question on Gardening which you may encounter.

Now, finally you will be ready to harvest.  Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor, as your new garden begins to produce delicious new items for you to enjoy!