GardenersCardiff answers:

You are in a lovely temperate range that should support many old favorite perennials. I have no experience with the specifics of East Coast gardening since I’m from the Midwest but I have done alot of reading ( and planting) and going purely off the hardiness map I think a number of the following old reliables will probably thrive for you. They are all cheerfully low maintenance, to the extent that can ever be said about gardening. Most will spread or self sow or both. You would do well to get a nice perennial book. I recommend The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perrennials. It is packed with all sorts of useful information in a very useable format. A list of plant suggestions follows;
Tall Garden Phlox
Rudbeckia (Brown Eyed Susan)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Shasta Daisy
Monarda (Bee Balm or Bergamot)
Asters
Campanula
Platycodon (Balloon flower)
Daylily
Hybrid Lilies
Mallow
Sedum
Russian Sage
Salvia
Hollyhocks
Joe Pye weed
Columbine
Astilbe
Tiarella
Iris
Bleeding Heart
Hosta Lily
Peony
Rose
Honeysuckle
Clematis
Wisteria
Azalea
Ferns
I’m sure there are many more and this is an eclectic yet incomplete list. I really recommend a good book for researching light and other requirements. Still these are simple and sturdy plants and this is something to start dreaming on. Have a wonderful time. I love a new garden!

GardenersCardiff answers:

The zones have shifted slightly.

Only the Arbor Day Foundation includes the updated weather information in their zone chart. The USDA collected it in 2004, but the current administration blocked them from releasing it. (since it actually is more evidence toward global warming – they don’t want discussion – they only want to suppress information apparently)

So the Arbor Day Foundation went and collected the same data (from the same sources) and compiled it themselves.

The USDA did release a “new” zone map, but basically it merely broke down zones into a/b sections, and shows some microclimates (more detailed) – HOWEVER – it is based on the old (1990) data, not the new data.

You can see the new Zone Hardiness Chart here:

http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/zonelookup.cfm

GardenersCardiff answers:

I would like to believe that home grown foods would have three major advantages:
Save more when you grow your own food
Eat healthier as you wont be using excessive fertilizer that affects the human body
Get fresher garden vegetables and fruits.

Now of course there are other advantages but these I picked up off the Better Homes And Garden.Info Blog. They also have an extensive list of the vegetables that you should grow.
Http://betterhomesandgarden.info/2007/11/15/grow-your-own-food/
As to how healthy it is it would just depend on the seeds, fertilizer and how you care your garden. Soil and plant care have a lot to do with nutrient retention. What was astounding to me was that vegetable soup works wonders on plants. I really don’t mean vegetable soup that we eat but actually the water thats left when we boil or steam vegetables. Any way visit the blog and you should find its much better to grow your own food.

GardenersCardiff answers:

You would need to grow foods suited for your area. Many people presume all food crops are a snap when they are not. [Tomatoes, for example, are very heavy feeders that deplete soils, but also have ridiculous temperature demands (they will not pollinate above 90*F, for example) and are VERY disease prone and attractive to pests.]

I recommend researching local garderner blogs and farms for what is easily grown in your area, then determine what you like from that and plan accordingly. Some plants actually need cold weather to produce (garlic, most berries, all apples/pears, many brassicas, etc.). Others will not grow at all until the temps are above 70*F (melons/squashes, nightshades, etc.)

Composting: Very easy. Humanure composting is not legal in most places, but it can be done safely if you are 100% methodical about it and don’t mind carting and mixing human waste. Otherwise, yes, you can start composting now for future use. This guide is helpful:

Why Make Compost?

Fertilizer: NOT the same thing as compost. You will need to get your soil tested to check for what’s lacking. Compost only adds organic bulk, beneficial microbes, and trace nutrients to plants. It will not supply the phosphorous needed for nightshades (peppers, potates, etc.) on its own. Green manure is a cheap (but lengthy) way to get high, bioavailable nitrogen in your soil.
Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manure

Water: Consider a rain water collection system. They are afforable and many cities offer serious rebates. A grey water system is possible, too, if you have high water needs, but these are pricier.
Http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/collection-and-storage/
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=45756

GardenersCardiff answers:

The short answer is.. A lot.
The actual price will depend on the circulation of the magazine ( the more copies printed the more people see your ad, the more expensive), the size of the ad etc
On the radio, cost will depend on how often and at what times you run your ad, plus the length. (more expensive during more popular shows)

The best thing to do is call up their advertising department and ask or search online.

By searching “ideal homes magazine advertising rates” in google, the first page in the results is their advertising rates. Looks like it will set you back £11,495 for a full page ad.

GardenersCardiff answers:

What magazine sales? Of the entire world?

Not sure what data you need, but maybe try contacting the Magazine Publishers of America for help:

http://www.magazine.org

Other places to turn:

Results 1 – 10 of about 27,100,000 for magazine association. (0.22 seconds) – -Google search engine