COMPLETE AT LEAST EIGHT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE THREE STARRED. 1. Brainstorm on paper for the perfect (for you) containers. What is your style? What particular challenges do each of them have? Where will you place your containers? Do some planning on paper here. (the downloadable journal has some planning space.) 2. Find out what zone you live in. Planting zones can vary a bit with the resource consulted, so double-check your zone with a local nursery or extention office. List or draw in your journal at least six kinds of plants for your area, annotated with their names (common and scientific) and any challenges they might pose. Pick three to try. 3. Research the qualities of and the differences in potting soils and additives. What do each of them have in common? What are the differences and why are the variations important? What kinds of soil/additives will work best in your area? 4. Decorate your chosen containers, even if those are simple terra cotta pots or cut down milk cartons. Do some looking in books or online for some extra ideas. Sketch what you did into your journal. 5. Make some plant stakes to identify each kind of seed/plant in each container. It can match your containers, or be something completely different. Share your technique for making them with someone else. 6. Set up a schedule on paper for maintenance of your container garden. What needs to be done, and how often? Write your schedule in your calendar or planner to keep it accessible. 7. Draw and annotate your ideal container garden. Would it have a single container, or a group? Features other than just plants? Lush greenery or an explosion of flowers? Let your mind wander, and don't worry about how the drawings look, as long as they make sense to you. 8. Subscribe to some seed catalogues. A quick search online will give you a long list of places that mail out catalogs at least once a year. Even if you are completing this during an off-season, you can cut out pictures of your favorites that are relevant to your zone and plan for Spring. Note any similarities between your choices, as well.

9. Develop a plan for winter. Does your container need anything special for your wintertime in your area? Plan now how you will take care of your garden when the frost comes. 10. Plant your garden, making sure that you use the right plants and soil, and account for your choices' drainage issues. Document the planting in a way of your choosing. 11. Explore ideas for creative non-traditional containers. Make a list of ten things not generally considered to be a "flowerpot" that you can plant your garden within. 12. Describe, in your journal, how you will know that you are successful in your gardening endeavor. Will it be seeing the flowers on your seedlings? Harvesting and eating your first fruit or vegetable from your container? Filling out the greenery and seeing new growth? Describe your goals and conditions of success in detail. 13. Research the term "seed exchanges" online. How can you get involved with trading seeds with others? 14. Design your own packaging for the fruits of your labor. Seed packets, or tags for your tomato crop, or a wrapper for your dried or fresh flowers -- be as creative as you can. 15. Harvest your garden when it's ready, if it is more than decorative. Research what you can do with the crop -- are there local charities that take donations or a local family who could use a bag of fresh vegetables, or a local hospital or nursing home that might appreciate some cut flowers? Implement one of your strategies with part of your crop. 16. Every week, document the progress of your container. Take a picture or draw one. Keep them all together as a progression, so you have a record of your container's life.

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