When my husband and I bought our home, we suddenly found we needed to learn about how to care for lilac bushes and Japanese maples, as our yard had both.  But how does a self-proclaimed black thumb learn about gardening?

• Search the Internet.  We found a lot of information about pruning lilacs online.  You can also find other information online, such as information about rose, iris, and orchid flower care.
• Ask at a nursery.  A nursery is a store that grows and sells young plants of all varieties.  Employees at these stores typically know a lot about gardening, so you should be able to ask them for specific care information.  For instance, when looking online we found conflicting information on when it was okay to prune Japanese maples, but a nursery answered this question for us.  Similarly, if you needed to know about the specifics of cattleya care, a nursery would be a good place to ask.
• Take gardening classes.  If you are interested in learning about gardening in general, or you need more than just one specific question answered, you might consider taking a gardening class or workshop.  Gardening classes can be found that teach everything from the basics, to specifics such as phalaenopsis care.  These classes can be found at community centers, community colleges, and other institutions.

Thanks to our interest in finding out more about how to care for them, our lilacs and Japanese maples are now thriving.  I wish you similar luck in your own quest!

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