Humans have been using herbs in food and as medicine for thousands of years.  Herbs add flavor and dimension to the foods we eat and can have powerful healing properties, when used correctly.  When used together in combination, herbs become the basis for a whole culture of cuisine.  The taste of a single herb can define a dish. 

A couple of years ago, I installed a pond in my backyard. Not only did it change the look and feel of the yard, it created a tiny exosystem all its' own. Building it was incredibly easy. Getting the hole dug was the hardest part, but after that the rest was no problem.

Marigolds are an old standby and have been for generations. They are easy to grow in pots or flower beds. Now available in a suprising variety of shapes, sizes, and shades and patterns. The colors can range from palest yellow to orange to blazing red. While they are said to repel many insects in the garden, I have found that they are highly susceptible and attractive to slugs, so you might want to use slug bait if you put them in the ground.

While it is tempting to want to grow your own food, it is alot harder than it looks. I have several reasons for sticking mainly to flowers: First, I don't have alot of room. Second, the soil in my yard is poor, and living in Tacoma, possibly contaminated with a variety of toxins. Third, I believe if you have access to a good organic farmer's market or store, you should purchase your produce from the good folks who go to such trouble to grow it. You can cetainly justify the slightly increased price when you think of the extra work and expense involved with just getting certified as organic. Of course, you'll want to verify - when possible - the source as cetified organic.

At first, gardening can be frustrating. But if you start with easy-to-grow varieties of plants and flowers, you can get reliable results without alot of work.