Depending on what climate you live in, you might be getting ready to sow some seeds or plant some seedlings! Here's the word on what to put where, based on how much sun you get.

If a section of your garden is bathed in sunlight, consider growing corn, melons, peppers and/or tomatoes. They thrive in the sun.

If a section of your garden doesn’t get much sun, consider growing lettuce, pumpkins and/or spinach, which all thrive in the shade.

More help with your garden…

• How to Make Your Garden Hose Last
• Garden All Day…Without the Aches and Pains
• How to Get Rid of Weeds Without Toxic Chemicals

Want to grow a tasty, less bitter batch of lettuce? Here's how to do it...

Let your lettuce plants grow in a shady patch of your garden. The Farmers' Almanac suggests planning your garden so that lettuce will be sheltered by taller plants, such as tomatoes or sweet corn...and consider planting rows of chives or garlic between lettuce plants to control aphids. (The chives act as "barrier plants" for the lettuce.)

What, you've already planted your lettuce? Then go find a shady spot and plant some more. Lettuce plants mature quickly, so you can sow a new set of seeds every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest. If you keep the lettuce cool as a cucumber, it will mature without any bitterness...but then again, wouldn't we all?

More help with gardening...

• Stretch the Right Muscles Before You Garden
• How to Choose the Best Garden Hose
• The No-Fail Shade Garden

In honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, we want to remind you that properly placed shade trees can help lower your annual utility bills by shading windows and walls in the summer, and acting as windbreakers in the winter. Indoor gardens—or even just a single houseplant— can improve the quality of the air and nurture the soul by bringing nature as living sculpture into your homes.