If you're new to gardening, you likely have some questions about what to do to keep your garden healthy. See below for answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions. Then, read on through the next two sections for more specific instructions on how to maintain your indoor and outdoor gardens.

How much should I water my plants? Fruits and vegetables are made mostly of water, so you'll need to make sure your plants are getting enough to drink. This is especially important for seedlings that haven't developed a deep root structure. Water them lightly every day or two. Place some sort of plate or saucer under planter containers; this ensures that some water can drain through the pot and be taken up slowly over hot weather. Don't use saucers that are too big (especially when planted outdoors) because this could lead to mosquitoes breeding in drainage water after a week.

How much should I feed my plants? When planting indoors, you'll be using a seed-starting mix. Any nutrients present in the seed-starting mix will be gone after about three weeks, so your seedlings will need supplemental feeding after that point. Stephen recommends using the organic line of Miracle-Gro products, which can be easily purchased at most home and garden stores. In most cases, fertilizers with a formulation of 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 are sufficient, unless a soil test indicates otherwise.

Should I support my plants with stakes? Some plants need staking to prevent flopping over in the garden. Plants with heavy flower heads or long thin stems tend to blow over or are beaten down by heavy rains. Staking should be done early in the spring to allow the plants to grow through and around the stakes, usually hiding the stake by midseason.

What does "Regular Maintenance" mean?: All living things require maintenance! Plants are resilient and can get by without constant attention, but do require some care on a regular basis. This includes weeding, watering and feeding. It'll also make things much easier if you have a simple plan in place to account for any changes to your regular maintenance routine, such as family holidays when you're out of town.