Do the thoughts of adding a water feature in your backyard or planting a fragrant shrub make your heart smile, yet your mind boggle? Maybe your outdoor space needs a facelift but you don’t know where to turn for do-it-yourself information. There are several resources available to educate you on how to care for your outdoor space. Read on to find those resources that will give you the confidence you need to get your outdoor makeover started.

One place to begin is an online forum community. Simply go to your favorite search engine and submit the phrase: “online gardeners forum” (without quotation marks). You will find thousands of websites to explore. To narrow down the search, you could include a specific keyword describing your interest. For instance, you would want to add the word “fountain” (without quotation marks) to your search, if you are interested in adding a fountain to your space. Many community gardening forums offer free subscriptions.

You can ask questions and receive answers from forum members. The member’s qualifications range from do-it-yourselfers like you to career horticulturist. The categories available on these forums include beginner gardening questions, ponds, garden tools, seasonal tips, and even seed swapping. So log in and begin learning how to create the space you’ve always wanted.

A great local option would be to sign up for a workshop at your favorite gardening center. The seasonal subjects vary, but you should be able to find an interesting class in the lineup. Many home and garden centers provide free weekly lessons to the public. If you don’t see your specific interests addressed, ask the manager. Your question might become the topic of the next do-it-yourself workshop. Many of these local retailers maintain a website with up to date information regarding workshop schedules. Another possibility is to seek advice of the garden center staff members. Try strolling into the garden center during a non-peak shopping hour and strike up a conversation. Most of these folks are passionate about their job and are happy to share their knowledge.

Another option is to investigate the curriculum at your local Community College or University. Often, you will have the opportunity to participate in a non-credit gardening or landscaping class. Most of these classes require a reasonable commitment of a few hours. The beauty of this option is that you will receive local, detailed information and instruction without the time involved with a full semester horticultural class. Of course, the full semester course is always an option. You might just find that the hobby of caring for your outdoor spaces becomes a full time career!

Weekend radio programs or public television programs often have an emphasis on gardening or outdoor spaces. You should be able to go to the television or radio station website to access the program’s transcript if you miss any part of the broadcast. You might try searching online for transcripts for radio or television shows dealing with do it yourself outdoor makeovers. Satellite radio stations host home and garden improvement shows that should be helpful. Never forgot that you can always access your local library for articles, magazines and books relating to your task.

Whichever method of research you prefer, the time you invest in improving your outdoor space will be worth it. Keep in mind that a welcome outdoor space offers many positive rewards for years to come. The sights, the smells, the relaxing sounds of your successful makeover can take you away from it all, even while you remain in your own backyard. Enjoy the fruits of your research!