Ask anyone who gardens and they'll tell you: Digging in the dirt is good for you. It restores you, calms you, and puts you in touch with your senses in a way that is difficult to match. Once the garden is planted, there are many tasks that can be accomplished in a very short amount of time, often in less then ten minutes. That makes gardening a perfect break in your hectic day. And it makes gardening an excellent way to weed out stress.

Do Your Research - Go to a large home improvement store or nursery. First, find yourself a decent book on the kind of gardening you want to do. (Vegetable gardening, water gardens, landscaping gardening, flowers, bonsai, etc.) Then, walk the aisles to get an idea of the tools, soils enrichers, plants, containers and other items you'll want to buy. Take some notes, as you'll want to work within your budget.

Plan Your Garden - This is a crucial step. You want to make certain your garden doesn't outgrow its boundaries, and that you don't overwhelm yourself with too much. (You can always expand later.) Proper planning will help you buy only what you need, and get it right the first time, both of which are time and money savers.

Pick a Weekend - Block out the time to do the grunt work. If you think it will take one day, plan for two. If you think it will take one weekend, plan on two, and split your tasks accordingly.

Three Easy Steps - The best way for me to accomplish a garden project is to take it in three steps

• Define the space
• Prepare the soil
• Plant the garden

For example, let's say I want to add a feature garden on the side of my house. First I will cut the sod, using an old hose or length of rope to determine my boundary. I like curves, so the rope trick helps me envision the boundary before I cut. Next I will install my border - landscape stones are what I like best. Next I will till the soil and add any stabilizers, compost, top soil or nutrients. Then I take a break and enjoy a nice glass of lemonade. I may even quit for the day if I'm somewhat tired. This is so that the planting itself is as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.

The final step is to add the plants (staring with the big features). I take my time, and am very careful. For me, it's a very meditative process. Finally, if necessary, I will add a good layer of mulch.

Constant Vigilance - Once the garden has been established, daily inspection and watering (if needed) will keep your garden in top shape. It doesn't have to take long; all you need do is pull any weeds as soon as you find them, and do any minor pruning and dead leaf removal. My dad could do this to every garden around our house (and there were a lot of them) in less than thirty minutes. If he didn't have that much time, he could do the front in ten to fifteen.

There are two advantages to this. First, it gets you out there every day for a few minutes of fresh air and sunshine, while the garden eases your stress. Second, it keeps your garden in top shape, eliminating the need to spend hours at a time getting things back in order.

During the growing season, Glenda always starts her day with a short inspection of the gardens. She will often repeat the process in the evening. When she does, I do it with here. During the day, I'll take at least one break, often two or three, to walk the gardens. It's a great way to get myself out of the office for a few minutes to let my eyes rest, and my brain unwind. When I return to the desk, I'm always refreshed and ready for more work.

Try it yourself. Start small and do a little at a time. Before you know it you'll have given yourself a wonderful place to relax while weeding out your stress.

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