a virtual gardeners' classroom. Your teacher is acclaimed gardener and writer Ann Lovejoy. The columns that follow, which have been running in the P-I nearly a year, are designed to teach you the basics of building a garden from scratch. You can adapt her lessons to big spaces or small.

Class 1 Start with a plan

Class 2 Create paths with naturalistic settings where plants look at home

Class 3 Beds and berms

Class 4 Privacy sometimes calls for a hedge, sometimes a gate.

Class 5 Anchor your plans with the right foundation plantings.

Class 6 Proper selection and placement help trees make a big statement.

Class 7 The right backdrop brings the garden picture into focus.

Class 8 Beds and borders: Pick plants that will serve your design and make less work for you.

Class 9 A rainy-day shelter opens the back yard to the other 11 months.

Class 10 A rainy-day shelter opens the back yard to the other 11 months.

Class 11 Garden seating