1. Type of garden - you need to decide what type of garden that you are interested in growing. Do you want a vegetable garden, an herb garden, a flower garden, a garden that will attract butterflies, you decide!
2. The size - how big is your garden going to be? Is it an indoor or outdoor garden? Do you have acres and acres to plant or just a few feet in the backyard? If you are starting a garden for the first time, you are probably not going to want to take on a space that is too large as it might be overwhelming for you.
3. Where will your garden be? - make sure that the place you choose for your garden is a place that receives a good amount of sunlight and has healthy soil. Also make sure that the location is cohesive with everyday life.
4. Seeds vs. plants - as you start your garden, do you plan on buying seeds or plants? Besides the obvious cost difference between buying plants and seeds, there is an issue of timing. Seeds are usually planted after the last frost of spring. Plants are usually re-planted into the ground later than that.
5. Style and design - The style of your plants may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you start a garden, but as your plants will grow they will begin to take their own unique shapes. Some plants will grow tall, others will spread out at the roots. As you think of your different plant combination possibilities keep in mind how your plants will look when they are full grown and design a garden area that is in keeping with how your plants will develop.

After you have made all of these important decisions and have mapped out your garden plan, you need to make sure that you provide the best start possible for your garden. A healthy foundation can mean the difference between a garden that thrives and a garden that dies. Start from the bottom up. Make sure that the soil you are planting in has the nutrients that your plants need. A good way to ensure that your soil contains what your plants need is to buy a nutrient rich soil that is designed to be mixed with your existing soil to provide your plants with excellent nourishment. If you are creating an indoor or rooftop garden, make sure that you buy potting soil and pots that will allow for excess water drainage. Fertilizer (Miracle-grow is a popular brand) is also an excellent choice for your garden. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging as too much fertilizer can harm your plants.

There are lots of things to remember as you start your garden and everything may seem overwhelming at first. But as long as you start small and make the effort to learn from your mistakes, you can become an excellent gardener. Starting a garden is a lot of fun and the results are well worth the effort.