4. start planning your summer garden NOW

i learned the hard way last year that we deep-southerners cant exactly follow the "plant by ____" labels on the back of seed packets.  if they say "plant after the last frost," that usually means those seeds better be snug and cozy under some soil some time during february if you really even hope to get a crop before the stifling heat of Alabama's august hits.

{Natalie Roe}

if you havent ever had your own garden, dont be intimidated.  it really isnt that difficult {if i can do it, you can definitely do it}, it saves you money, you will have beautiful produce whenever you wish, and you dont have to have a huge plot of land to do so.  use small pots arranged on a table outside or on a windowsill to grow herbs like basil, chives, mint, and cilantro.

{Dobies of Devon}

{Jennifer Roc}

hanging baskets also work nicely.

{Better Homes and Gardens}

one tomato or bell pepper plant will grow beautifully in a large pot on the ground.  things like cucmbers and zuchinni/squash might need more room to "roam" so if you dont have the horizontal space, try planting one plant in a large pot with a tomato cage around it and make sure to "direct" to the stray shoots regularly

{there are plenty of resources on the web for novice's or for green-thumb-wannabes.  Better Homes and Gardens is a helpful start}

Tune in tomorrow for the last installment of Natalie's list of home/garden resolutions.

Mobilian Natalie Roe is an interior designer. For custom design work, contact Roe at nattyroe@gmail.com.