For you gardeners: If you like informal English cottage type gardens, don't deadhead all you annuals, such as zinnias, coreopsis and others. Let some go to seed, take off and either sprinkle seeds back on the soil, or let seeds dry and plant either in pots or sprinkle on the ground and you have free annuals next year.

If you have perennials, liriope and other plants that are in overabundance and don't have enough friends to clean them out, locate some organization that needs landscaping or that sells plants. Locally, I give all my extra plants to an organization that works with developmentally disabled adults in a sheltered workshop. They pot the plants and then sell them to individuals, landscapers, and developers. Truly a win, win situation.

Use local Extension agents and the internet for plants that are most likely to do well in your area. Every state and county has an extension agent, and they are very willing to assist you and are knowledgeable concerning the best varieties and techniques for your particular area. A good local nursery will help, but I still use the Extension Service. Ask neighbors who garden, depend on older relatives, use any free expertise you can get.

Don't try to plant something and expect it to do well in an environment that it is not adapted to. It probably won't thrive, you will spend money unnecessarily, and are probably going to be disappointed. Plants should grow, little people need babying.

Don't bring in exotic plants from other regions. We have a serious problem throughout the country with exotics being brought in and becoming invasive and becoming an environmental threat if not a disaster. Examples in the Southeast are kudzu, Chinese tallow tree (popcorn tree), malleluca (Australian pepper tree), cogon grass, Japanese climbing fern, and many others.

Find what plants are native to your area and you will be helping not only your pocketbook, but you will help migrating birds, and local small animals. Their blooms or foliage may not be as spectacular as some of the more exotics, but birds and animals have adapted to their seeds and this furnishes food for the migrators.

When you plant anything, make sure you keep it watered for the first few weeks or so.