I spend far more time moving my mouse than holding a hoe. But, rather like hanging out in garden centre coffee shops on a Sunday afternoon, there's something appealing about surfing gardening sites on the web: the promise of sunny days pottering about in the garden while putting behind you all the wilted pot plants, aphid-riddled shrubs and seeds that simply refused to germinate.
The web provides a shortcut to sourcing gardening equipment and plants, finding beautiful gardens to visit and learning more about your hobby - all of which means a few minutes spent online should make your horticultural habits all the more productive and rewarding.
As a fan of carnivorous plants, I can get hold of seeds, equipment and seedlings that would otherwise entail a long drive to a distant nursery. Unfortunately, many of the small family firms that specialise in such niche areas don't have the resources to set up a secure shopping and payment site. That means they fall back on a "send an email, write a cheque and post it snail mail" system. But it's better than nothing, and there are an increasing number of general interest gardening shops online that do offer the standards of service we've come to expect from e-business success stories such as Amazon and eBay.
A great starting point for tracking down a rare or unusual addition to your collection is the Royal Horticultural Society's plant finder. This database of 70,000 plants helps you pin down the exact specimen you're looking for, and then lists nurseries in your area and mail order firms that can supply you with them.
If you'd rather buy your horticultural supplies online, two one-stop-shop gardening sites make a good starting point. Birstall Garden Centre sells everything from gourmet mushroom growing kits to chicken coops. Crocus is more slick, albeit with a slightly more limited choice of products, but it offers a chance to sign up for regular advice emails from Alan Titchmarsh. Crocus also boasts a selection of cut flowers by "celebrity florists" (no, I can't name one either) and a chance to order a printed catalogue. Dig-It is also worth a look and has a wedding list service.
One of my first stops online is always The Henry Doubleday Research Centre, a magnet for organic gardeners. It offers rich resources for established and would-be organic enthusiasts, including factsheets on compost, pest control and weeds without using harmful substances.
The organic credo also encourages welcome visitors such as hedgehogs, birds and the rather less cute but nevertheless important worm to the garden. Wildlife gardener Jenny Steel's website records her efforts to create her own wildlife garden and sells wild seeds. The fabulous Wiggly Wigglers site will help you learn about composting and buy all the kit you need to get started on a compost heap or wormery.
If you'd rather be using engine grease than elbow grease to do the labour, GardenWise Direct has a good range of mowers, shredders, leaf blowers and other mechanical garden aids. The online version of the Innovations catalogue features breathless descriptions of all those nifty gardening gadgets you never knew you needed, including the Unbelievable Saw and a telescopic hedge trimmer.
Meanwhile, if you get fed up with the sight of your own patch and need some fresh inspiration, the National Gardens Scheme has a searchable list of more than a thousand gardens open for visits.
When I meet someone who says they're keen on gardening, I always ask if they listen to Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time. If the answer is yes, I know they're bona fide. This long-running radio programme has a web presence that lets you listen to the most recent show and browse a host of factsheets answering your tricky garden queries.
The best source of advice is other gardeners. The Real Gardeners site has a busy forum where fellow gardeners both amateur and professional will leap to your aid if you post a question, provided your eyes can cope with the irritating animated icons that litter the page. Online shop E-garden Community also has a message board section, which is better laid out but just as lively.
If you're interested in reading about other gardeners' experiences, Carry On Gardening has a great My Garden section - currently featuring Fred and Linda Short, who have adapted their garden to suit the fact that they are both short. And when all the hard graft is done, what better way to relax than in a hammock in your garden?
