Digging in the Web
I know you gardeners are itching to get your fingers off the keyboard and into the dirt, but, first, let's take a look at the spectacular resources available to you through the Internet. Type the word "gardening" into any search engine and you will find an overwhelming list of links. Whether you are looking for garden supplies or information on container gardening, you'll find plenty to like on the Internet.

Rebecca Kolls encourages you to keep those hands dirty at her site, Rebecca's Garden. She will hold your hand (clean or dirty) for step-by-step instructions or send you tiptoe-ing through the tulips with quick tips. Her garden planning section is especially helpful with an interactive tool to design your dream garden. Use it to place trees, shrubs, and flowers around your house or to locate new flowerbeds and planters.

More gardening information can be unearthed at the extensive Country Living Gardener. This site for green thumb surfers is packed full of garden tours, expert planting advice, and even tips on garden decorating.

Don't hang up your hoe yet. Dig in to a great site called the GardenWeb which describes itself as the "Internet's Garden Community." GardenWeb stands apart from the multitude of Internet garden sites by being the first to have established an actual community of users through forums. More than two thirds of all messages posted to garden-related forums and newsgroups on the Web are posted at GardenWeb. In addition, GardenWeb also hosts garden exchanges, articles, contests, the Web's largest garden-related glossary, and online catalogs. GardenWeb's HortiPlex Plant Database offers plant images and data as well as links to information sources and vendors. An interesting feature is the Garden Exchange where gardeners post requests for seeds and plants as well as offers of items for trade. Other links whisk you off to a calendar of events, directories of nurseries and catalogs, gardening societies and associations, and cooperative extension services.

Need to find the botanical name for a specific plant? I bet you will have no trouble at the Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database. This site includes a large database of plant names as well as a plant photo gallery and plant fact sheets. Check out culturally significant plants, noxious and invasive plants, threatened and endangered plants, and wetland plants.

Trees and Birds and Bees
How about trees? A visit to the National Arbor Day Foundation site will make selecting trees for your climate a snap. All you have to do is enter your ZIP code to find out which trees thrive in your area. Don't leave this site without checking for recommendations on tree care. Find out about topping (that is NO topping, mind you), pruning, making cuts, using mulch, and planting containerized trees.

The National Wildlife Federation claims it is easy to make your lawn hospitable to wildlife. Their Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program site will have you watching the butterflies and hummingbirds dance in search of nectar and listening to the trill of songbirds and the plop of frogs jumping into a pond. According to the Wildlife Federation, it doesn't matter where you live or how much space you have. Their new interactive site can be invaluable for planning and improving your habitat. It will provide you with everything from planning tools to online experts, discussion boards, and more.

Organic Gardening
What does it take to be an organic gardener? You have to steer clear of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and pay close attention to your soil. OrganicGardening.com is an extensive organic-oriented site that will help you organize a garden that blooms from February to October. It tells you how to get your soil tested and gets you started growing perennial and carefree vegetables. If you want simple instructions and helpful hints for sowing and tending your own seedlings indoors, organic style, visit this site.

Herb Gardening
How about herb gardening? GardenGuides is a Web site that I'll be visiting many times this year as I plant my long-anticipated herb garden. This site has some interesting information on herbs including how to grow and use basil, rosemary, and garlic. More unusual herbs like sorrel, chamomile, and echinacea are also covered. This site will take you on a comprehensive tour of herb, vegetable, and flower gardening. Since you'll be growing herbs, you'll also want to check out some of the secrets of herbal remedies that this site offers.

To the Spade, Trowel, and Hose
OK, I hear you. This Web workout is taking away your time and energy from the spade, trowel, and hose. Never fear, once that sunshine is on your back and your fingers are in the soil, your gardener's love will take over. Your new knowledge of perennials and annuals, sun loving and shade loving  plants, garden designs, and soil content will bloom, literally speaking, into an enchanting garden spot - thanks to your gardener's love and energy.......and your Internet connection.