• Local soil type should be considered when buying plants for your garden.italian soil image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the keys of successful gardening is working with what you have. This usually means growing plants, flowers and trees that fit the surrounding area and environment. Choosing the right plants for your local city and state can be easy if you simply follow some basic guidelines. They include making planting choices based on your local planting zone, soil type and climate.
  
  

Planting Zone

• Understanding your local planting zone is imperative when making planting decisions. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map from the U.S. National Arboretum is one of the most popular maps. The zones define what types of plants are able to grow well in the areas, depending on climate and minimum temperatures within the zones. Within the 10 major zones, there are also several sub zones. What out which one you are in, and what sort of plants and flowers do well in your region.
  
  

Soil

• Soil conditions of your city and state will also determine the success of your planting choices. For example, pure clay and pure sand soils will not allow any type of plant to grow. Some plants prefer soil that is either acidic or alkaline, while others cannot thrive in those types of environments. You can find out what type of soil you have by conducting a soil pH test, researching your local area online, or talking to a local nursery. If you find you have to have a certain type of plant that will not grow in the local area soil, consider mixing in compost, organic matter or peat moss in the natural garden soil.
  
  

Climate

• When making plant selections, temperature is one of the most important aspects of climate. Some plants will die at the first frost, while others are durable to the cold. Another climate aspect of your local area to consider is the amount of moisture in the air and soil. Many plants will mildew and mold with too much humidity, while other types need humid environments. Wind should also be considered and planned around, as strong winter gusts can kill plants faster that freezing temperatures. The key is to work with the natural elements. If you realize that you desire tropical plants in your garden, but they will not survive your local area's temperatures, consider planting them in pots and bring them inside during the cold season.