Gardening is a great way to relax and get back to nature without spending a lot of money. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the nation. Whether you want to enjoy the tasty delight of fresh-grown tomatoes or just the simple pleasures of Mother Nature, it’s easy to cultivate your own green thumb with these great Gardening 101 tips.

Every plant requires a few basics. The right mixture of soil, water and nutrients will help ensure your plants thrive. Container gardeners use a combination of potting soil and specialized fertilizers created specifically for potted gardens. Those planning a larger garden would benefit from testing the pH of the soil then adding fertilizer and other organic nutrients to improve the condition of the soil. Pick up a long hose, an automatic timer and a few sprinklers to make watering easy.

When it comes to gardening, pay attention to climate zones. Every plant has a climate zone preference and a desired growing season; seed packs will include zone information on the package. Planting seeds outside their zone is likely to lead to higher water usage, lower yields or crop failure.

Most areas of the nation have slight differences in their growing seasons. Variations in the amount of sunshine, temperature and the time of year can make a big difference in how well your seedlings sprout and whether you have a bumper crop or barely enough to make a salad at the end of the season.

Traditionally, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has provided common-sense advice on when to plant and how to avoid the dreaded last frost of winter. But those new to gardening can get the same great results by starting seeds indoors or using transplanted seedlings to get a head-start on the season. Just remember that young plants are sensitive to the cold, so you have to keep them warm, and that most vegetables and fruits require a minimum of six hours of full sun each day.

Contrary to what many commercials or expensive catalogs might lead you to believe, gardening doesn’t have to cost a lot. Tillers and other specialized equipment might make sense for commercial growers, but very few homeowners need more than a few affordable tools to begin enjoying the delicious bounty of growing their very own fruits and vegetables. Be sure to buy quality tools that will last; not only do they save money in the long run, but they get the job done faster and with less effort.

Here's a list to get you started:

• Round-point shovel
• Square-point shovel
• Hoe
• Rake
• Hand tools including a trowel, transplanter and cultivator
• Portable garden chair or kneeling pad
• Hose
• Sprinkler
• Soil tester
• Reusable plastic sprayer