Chapters00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast00:48 Introducing Jeff Rugg: Gardening Expert01:55 Setting Goals for Your Garden03:31 Budgeting for Your Garden Project06:27 Understanding Climate and Microclimates08:46 Soil Conditions and Their Impact15:38 Designing Your Garden: Themes and Styles20:07 Navigating Rules and Regulations22:38 DIY vs. Hiring a Professional24:08 Choosing the Right Plants for Your Garden24:55 Plant Diversity and Disease Prevention26:18 Irrigation Systems: Do You Need One?27:57 The Journey of a Weekly Newspaper Columnist29:51 Creating Engaging YouTube Content31:46 Comprehensive Gardening Guide34:32 Common Gardening Mistakes and Myths35:28 Personal Gardening Experiences and Future Plans43:31 Conclusion and Contact InformationIn this episode of the Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus engages with Jeff Rugg, an experienced educator and garden columnist, to explore the complexities of setting gardening goals.Jeff shares his expertise on various aspects of garden planning, including understanding ecosystems, budgeting, and climate considerations.He dives into the importance of soil conditions, maintenance planning, design styles, and the decision between DIY and professional help.He also discusses the diversity of plant selection, the role of irrigation systems, and his extensive experience in horticulture and landscape architecture.The episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring stories, aiming to help listeners create beautiful, environmentally connected, and low-maintenance gardens.Jeff Rugg is an educator at heart, and for over 33 years, he has written the weekly, nationally syndicated newspaper column, The Greener View (https://greenerview.com/gv-newspaper-articles).He taught the University of Illinois Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs. He now teaches via the internet through his YouTube channel, Greener View (https://www.youtube.com/@agreenerview), with over 300 videos and more coming. Many of the videos match the playlist of the chapters of his Greener View gardening book (https://greenerview.com/shop). This is Episode 201, Effective Goal Planning for Your Perfect Garden, with Jeff Rugg on the Garden Question Podcast an ENCORE presentation Hello, I'm your host, Craig McManus.The Garden Question is a podcast for people that love designing, building, and growing smarter gardens that work. Listen in as we talk with successful garden designers, builders, and growers, discovering their stories along with how they think, work, and grow. This is your next step in creating a beautiful, year-round, environmentally connected, low maintenance and healthy thriving outdoor space. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an expert, there will always be something inspiring when you listen to the Garden Question podcast.