Being around flowers, plants and gardens in general relaxes the mind and is very therapeutic for most people. This is why a lot people of taken up the hobby of gardening in their spare time.

Some are intimidated to try it as a leisure pursuit because they feel they don't have the skills and enough know-how about the subject matter in order to start with. Surprisingly, there are only a few things to take note of if you want to start your garden.

First of all, think about type of plant you want in your gardens. If you love to be surrounded by flowers, then a colorful flower garden is for you. You can go with a beautiful rose garden. You can also include daisies, different kinds of mums, gerberas, and lilies. They say variety is the spice of life. Not only will other kinds of flowers break the monotony, they will lend more texture, character and more color to your growing garden.

If you love to cook and want fresh, garden grown herbs, tomatoes and greens around, you may want to go for an herb garden or a small vegetable garden in your backyard. That way, you get your "therapy" and you'll have fresh herbs and greens all the time! It is a good idea to do alternate planting. This is only applicable for your vegetables though. To give you an idea, here is an example. Let's say you've been planting one particular variety of potatoes for several seasons. After you harvest your crops, plant a different variety for the next season. Not only will it do your soul good, it will be good for your soil also. But don't be too absorbed by the technicality of the whole thing. Just enjoy it.

Once you've figured out what kind of plants you want, it's time to get your gear ready. Make your gardening experience fun. You will need the right tools to help you dig and water your soil. You don't need high-tech or complicated equipment. A sturdy shovel and hoe, pails will help you dig, rake and water your soil. You will need comfortable work clothes; old jeans and shirts will be perfect for the job. You need boots to keep your feet warm and dry, gloves to keep your hands clean, some rags to wipe off dirt. A nice hat will protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Make sure the size of your hat is big enough to protect your face from the heat. Stylish sunglasses will keep the sun out of your eyes. A towel helps keep sweat dripping all over your face. Keep a water bottle always beside you. You'd want to be able to stay as long outdoors as possible. Drinking enough water will keep you cool, hydrated and energized as you build your garden.

For maintenance, a sprinkler will be a great tool to help maintain your garden. Installing a sprinkler will ensure that your plants are watered and will free you from having to hurry home to just to look over your plants.

To make your perfect garden, you just need a little bit of planning, some creativity, some patience and of course, some elbow grease. Don't get too caught up in the details and enjoy your new hobby!