Would-be garden and greenhouse fans preparing to cultivate their land for the first time have been given some tips on how to get started.
Booshplr.com suggested that gardeners should get their soil checked out before a seed is even planted.
This way, they will be able to predict which varieties might flourish and which may fail.
A nursery or county extension office should be able to carry out a reliable examination of the earth in your yard and work out whether the ground is acidic, neutral or alkaline.
Growers can change the pH of the soil by adding nutrients, while the test might also show up deficiencies which may need to be addressed by working in certain materials.
The exam should reveal nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium levels, giving gardeners a chance to correct any shortages before planting.
Working in organic materials can often help enhance the quality of the soil, helping plants flourish and reach their potential.
Meanwhile, gardening expert Jean Ann Van Krevelen recently gave the Press Democrat some tips on growing your own food.