good site/book for beginner gardeners?

This is the first time I've ever had outdoor space and I would love to start planting things in my front yard and get some window boxes for my patio but I'm totally clueless. And I mean TOTALLY!!

what's a good place to start?

Re: good site/book for beginner gardeners?

I suggest going to local nurseries just to get ideas. Sometimes they have "landscape designs" how they display there plants/bushes.

- You will need to study when/where the sun hit your yard. That will help you with your plant selection.
- Which part of your yard is more wet/dry than the other parts?

Re: good site/book for beginner gardeners?

Two garden sites I've frequented in the past:

GardenWeb

The forums are huge, and a lot of good info there for the searching, or asking.

Garden Guides

This is also a pretty good one, and friendly.

Good luck! Let me know if I can help!

Re: good site/book for beginner gardeners?

I like the Better Homes and Gardens Garden Book. It has a glossary in the back with descriptions of different plants, and info about diseases that affect them, where to plant, etc.