BASIC STEPS TO GOOD GARDENING

There are a few basic steps to consider when planning your beds.  While much of our time, as gardeners, is spent focused on our individual plants, there are a few basic principles that we need to rely on if we're going to be successful. 

1. Know how to cut back a plant or how and when to divide it.
2. Know your garden soil.  Learn where it's wet or dry.  Decide if you need to improve your soil, or where it's rich or poor.
3. Study sun and shade patterns, and plan your garden accordingly.
4. Match plants to the site, and plants that go well together.  You're much more likely to have a successful, thriving garden if it is filled with plants that are all happy in the same soil and exposure.
5. Care for your soil.  Add organic matter regularly.  Use mulch wisely.  Avoid walking on your beds to keep it from compacting.
6. Time time to look at your garden.  I walk around every morning to look for potential problems, check the soil, see if a plant needs to be staked or cut back.
7. Don't be afraid to change things around.  If you see a plant isn't doing as well as expected, remove it and put in another area--it might just thrive.  Experiment with new combinations. 
8. If you like to make bouquets, have a planting garden to use those plants for arrangements so you'll still have plenty left in your gardens to enjoy.