Once you've got your gardening tools, you're going to want to gather these six component elements for the growing environment.

1. Soil
   For soil, we like to use Scott's organic soil mix. There are a ton of different types of soil out there that you can use, but in general all that matters is that you find a good organic soil that isn't too expensive and works for you. If you're lost, talk to other gardeners in your area to see what they use. It'll give you a great excuse to chat with your neighbors!
2. Fertilizer
   Fertilizer is important because your plants depend on you to provide the nutrients they need to survive. Plus, when you use planter boxes to build your garden, you are most likely going to be packing lots of plants into a relatively small space. One 2' x 2' self-watering planter might contain a tomato plant, two pepper plants, a basil plant, and some parsley. That's a lot of foliage to feed from a few gallons of soil. Stephen's fertilizer of choice is Miracle-Gro.
3. Compost
   Source your compost however you can, preferably from a local farm, zoo, or neighbor. Any kind of compost will do.
4. Worms
   According to Stephen, worms are "the best workers in the world". If you can't find worms locally, you can actually order worms online pretty easily. Check out the Green Resources section for sites that sell worms.
5. Landscaping Cloth
   Landscaping cloth is easy to find at your local hardware store or garden center, and it's absolutely worth the investment. It will save you time on weeding and reduce the amount of water required for your plants because it keeps the moisture in your soil. Line your planter boxes and put a top layer of landscaping cloth on your soil to get the most out of your growing environment.
6. Seeds
   Use whatever seeds you can get your hands on (bonus points if they're heirloom). Seedlings are an another good option, especially if you live in a colder climate, because your growing season will be much shorter.

Action

Worms and Dirt! -

Every gardener has their own tricks. What else do you use to keep your plants happy?

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