The Internet is a great resource for gardeners, but the top results of search engines are cluttered by so-called content farms. A content farm is a company that employs freelance writers who churn out a high number of articles designed to reach the top of search engines results and generate revenue through online advertising. Oftentimes people with little personal gardening experience write these articles.

So, how does today's gardener weed out the bad gardening information online? Bookmark the best websites you come across for easy access. Include local botanic gardens and/or arboretums, as well as the Cooperative Extension websites of local universities. These sites provide the best local gardening advice, from people you can email or call if you need further assistance.

Here are a few more websites to augment your knowledge:

GardenWeb.com: "The Internet's Gardening Community" has forums from participants across the country. Forums are categorized by topics, plants, regions and cover everything from African violets to xeriscaping. The sites offer "good insights into the culture of gardeners, especially those who love to chat," says Felder Rushing, author of "Slow Gardening" (Chelsea Green), who does a lot of online research for his weekly radio program, columns and book projects.

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants: The University of Connecticut Home and Garden Center's plant database is a good resource for woody plants. Search by common or Latin name, or use its plant selector to find trees, shrubs and vines that meet your needs, says Tim Wood, who heads product development at Spring Meadow Nursery and travels the world in search of new plants.

KidsGardening.org: Maintained by the National Gardening Association, this site is a must for teachers and parents looking to introduce kids to gardening.

WildFlower.org: The website of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a great tool for wildlife and habitat gardeners, with articles and step-by-step guides for transforming your yard into an eco-friendly garden. A wildflower that is native to one state may be a nuisance in another — something wildflower seed mixes do not tell you. The "Recommended Species" page gives you detailed suggestions by state, images helpfully included, to help you select native plants that are appropriate to your area.

MSUTurfWeeds.net: Before bringing out the all-purpose weedkiller, identify the weeds giving you grief. The Michigan State University Turf Weeds website can help.

Paghat.com/gardenhome.html: Written by two self-described "eccentric gals" who garden in the Pacific Northwest and write as Granny Artemis and Paghat the Ratgirl. Like touring the garden of a friend who peppers the conversation with plant lore to keep you interested. A good resource for shade gardeners too.

TheSeedSite.co.uk: A hobby website entirely about seeds. Look up articles on seed harvesting, seed storage and seed germination; or identify seeds and seed pods from your own garden.

RHS.org.uk: The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 to collect plant information and encourage the improvement of horticultural practice. While it may be "Britain's Garden Charity," American gardeners can take advantage of the wealth of gardening information and inspiration here. It covers edible and ornamental plants, garden pests and diseases.

Plants.usda.gov: The plants database may not be for the faint of heart, but once you dive in you will find yourself immersed in more information than you thought you would ever need. Downloadable fact sheets and plant guides provide descriptions of plants and their uses. A fantastic resource of more than 46,000 plant images, information on regional wetland plants, endangered plants, and noxious or invasive plants of the U.S.

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