STORING YOUR SEEDS

Store seeds in a cool, dry, and dark location. Most seeds have a long shelf life, but heat and moisture will shorten it. Dedicate a drawer or cabinet to storing your seeds where you can also house your gardening journal close at hand for dreaming, planning, and preparing.

CHOOSING YOUR PLANTING SITE

Take into consideration sun, moisture, and drainage requirements (and the labor needed to ensure these vital components) when determining your planting locations. Often, the more effort you put toward preparing your planting area, the more reward you'll experience. Whether you strive for a natural or more formal garden, planting sites for seeds and bulbs alike will need most of the same conditions: moist, well-draining, weed and rock free soil, and at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. Loosen the soil to a depth of no more than 8 to 10 inches, and enrich it with organic matter such as compost.