There's no question that it's time-consuming, frequently tedious, occasionally rigorous and all too often frustrating. And if you are looking for vegetables that are cheaper than what you can buy or flowers that are as flawless as your florist delivers, then maybe it's a good idea to stay on the couch -- where the living is easy and the remote is close at hand.

But gardening has so many compensating pleasures. The first, plainly put, is that it's worthwhile. What better way to spend some spare time than growing good food for your family or landscaping around your home to reflect the expanse of your imagination instead of the limits of conformity?

Second, gardening is not a passive activity; there's no "virtual" anything about it. You can't dream the slugs away with a joystick and no microchip can force you to turn over the compost pile when your back is aching and your shoulder is stiff. You turn it over because you want to turn it over, in spite of everything else.

Third, gardening can be a compelling cooperative activity. Your best harvest may be the pleasure you get from working with family and friends. There's never a shortage of things to do, no limit to the lessons that can be learned -- especially for children -- and there's always plenty of credit to go around, even for the mistakes.

Sound right for you? Sure it does.

Let Gardening Into Your Life
You do it alone. You get dirty. And somewhere there, there really should be something just for you, on your own terms. Maybe it is on the couch. But maybe it's coming to terms with all sorts of living things that were so much a part of people's lives not that long ago. You won't need any meetings. No power posturing is required. And the commute is a breeze -- just walk out the back door.

Rose: Queen Of Flowers
Forget the scary stories about temperamental, delicate plants. Roses are sturdy, unfussy garden additions. And the United States is one great rose garden. These intriguing, addictive plants thrive in every growing zone, from the dry heat of the Southwest to the cool damp of the Pacific Northwest to the protective snow pack of the Northeast. They combine their exceptional beauty with durable versatility.

Tiger Lillies A Snap To Grow
No lily is easier to grow than Lilium lancifolium. Tiger lilies stand 3 to 5 feet tall, carry a dozen or more flowers per stalk, and don’t need staking. They will live for decades with no special care, and planted in masses they provide astonishing splashes of color at a time of year when many perennials have finished blooming.

Why Raspberries May Be Right For You
For people who want fruit, and want it fast from their garden berries may be the answer. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, gooseberries all apply, but the best may be red raspberries. Other berries have a weakness or two; rasps have only strengths. Fifteen minutes picking a 20-foot row can yield a quart basket, and there will be more tomorrow, and the next day.

Natural Alternatives To Pesticides
Natural alternatives prevent both of these events from occurring and save you money. Consider using natural alternatives for chemical pesticides: Non-detergent insecticidal soaps, garlic, hot pepper sprays. Also consider using plants that naturally repel insects. These plants have their own chemical defense systems, and when planted among flowers and vegetables, they help keep unwanted insects away.