1. Take stock, make a list and set a budget.

Look around your garden to note plants that are dead or damaged. See how much potting soil, fertilizer and other material you have. Inspect tools and test them, listing items that need to be replaced. Last, decide on your budget so you can prioritize.

2. Photograph and measure containers.

Place your pots in their garden locations, and then take photos. Print the photos, and note the diameter and the depth of each pot. This way, youll buy the perfect plants in the right quantities. Determine how much potting soil youll need, using an online calculator like the one at jollylane.com/greenhouse/growing-tips/soil-calculators.php.

3. Review last years garden.

Your experience will inform this years gardening.

4. Choose hues.

Selecting a color scheme is key when making your choices, particularly for containers. Get inspiration from a famous garden or an unexpected source: a favorite outfit, a painting or a magazine.

5. Bring photos.

Most nursery staff can help you find what plant you need, but common names vary from gardener to gardener. If you bring in images of the plants you want, youll get an instant identification.

6. Make a bouquet.

As plants wither and die, they leave gaps in the border. Before you go shopping to fill those holes, cut samples of the leaves and flowers that are already established. As you shop, compare your sample with the plants youre considering and make sure your selections will work in harmony.

Its time to put your plan into action. Grab a cart and start shopping, beginning with your highest-priority plants.

1. Assemble your grouping at the nursery.

Instead of going back and forth between plants, place the ones you like in your cart as you find them. Make part of the cart your audition space, arranging plants as you would in your garden. Whenever you discover interesting new plants, swap them in to see which you like best.

2. Walk the whole store.

To create bodacious containers, venture beyond the annuals section. Explore the houseplants, tropicals and succulents. Look for attractive flowers, fruit and foliage in perennials, vegetables and herbs. Remember, at the end of the season you can move hardy plants to garden beds, and houseplants can be potted and brought indoors.

3. Try a new plant each year.

Even if youre intimidated, increase your confidence and broaden your repertoire by purchasing at least one plant youve never tried before.

4. Shop all season.

While nurseries are best-stocked in spring, they offer plants all season even all year. You may even happen upon a sale.

Questions should be sent to Martha Stewart Living , 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. You may also email questions to mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number.

1) A baby record book is the ideally suited present to record and cherish all those first memories and special occasions such as baby’s and family’s details, Baptisms or baby showers and birthdays. Also the ideal place to record special events like taking first steps and saying first words. Individual, unique and handmade, whilst made ethically in helping less fortunate communities to support their families, they are made with natural linen cover and closed with string and decorated with a baby tag. Perfect as a newborn baby present for your own baby, or a special gift for a newborn baby of relatives or friends. East of India range also includes first keepsake boxes, birth certificate holders and photo albums all made with their rigid adherence to ethical policies.

2) The Fairtrade Cotton Crochet Pixie Rattle Doll by Pebble available in six unique designs with a rattle inside to promote hand and eye co-ordination and promote hearing. Without a face these dolls are identified to stimulate imagination and role play. Pebble encourages stable and sustainable rural jobs in a reliable and safe working environment for over 5,000 women in 52 different regions of Bangladesh. More than simply a unique gift, these toys are both educative and ethically made. Other fairtrade gifts by Pebble include, knitted vegetables, crochet pink flower rattles, knitted floppy bears, knitted little wonky bird rattles and pastel knitted cupcake set.  

3) The Maxine Pharoah personalised cushion, in its handmade traditional style, features a high quality printed image from her original artwork. Made with linen, cotton, ribbon and buttons, stitched by hand and complete with button flap detail on the reverse, they are personalised and handmade to order. This unique and personal baby present is ideal for a New baby gift, Baptism or Naming Day gift, special birthday present or to compliment baby’s nursery. Carefully made and individually chosen, they are guaranteed to become a favourite treasure.

4) The Trousselier Giraffe rattle by Trousselier Paris is created from the finest soft fabrics and ideally suited for new baby gifts. His soft mane and long neck make him easy to clutch by small hands. Beautifully presented in his own pale blue Trousselier box, he is sure to be a favourite and valued present. The Trousselier range includes Bunny Angel, Squeaky lamb, Squeaky Kangaroo and bab, Dotty Rabbit Set and Long eared bunny. As an change to soft toys, Trousselier also have a beautiful range of Magic Lanterns which project eye catching moving images onto the lamp and also Wooden Music Boxes, a contemporary design of a classical toy, with Mozart and Skaters Waltz tune, for 3 years plus. 

5) For an unconventional and eye catching baby gift with soft textures, bright colours and ethically made taking environmental considerations to mind, the Lilliputiens selection of toys include everything from Noah’s ark, Farmhouse, Pirate Ship and Wigwam and little Indians set. The range also includes a beautiful range of dolls and animal squeakers. They are all refreshingly distinctive, something different. They promote imagination through play and look amazing. The Lilliputien Xmas Nativity Set would make an excellent gift for Baby’s first Christmas.