It's something I know only a few people do on a day to day basis, and something I bet people don't exactly realize they can do with their flower gardens.

A simple pot of basil or sage not only is an advantage when cooking Italiano, but the advantages of using fresh sage for a ritual can be greater than using dried or even store-bought. A raised bed can have several herbs, perhaps even some of the "lunar garden" variety to bring a air of mystique and ethereal scenery to your next outdoor ritual.

Think about the past for a second though. The Druids had the right idea of having groves of trees, some fruit or nut-bearing, and the witch's of past seemed to always have a good holistic knowledge when it came to which plants were best for a headache, birthing pains, or to get rid of boils, and they also knew which ones to steer clear of (Nightshade, for instance, should still be handled with care and gloves).

If you're thinking about investing in a "magic garden", get your hands on a good book. Or three. One for basic gardening, that might have what climate you're in, and what's native to your area. This will give you a good idea of what will and will not grow in your area. If you have shade, use it. Full sun? Odds are there's something there. Remember that some plants, particularly types of mints, can be invasive an spread like wildfire through your garden. Keep them (and other invasive types) in separate containers. There are a lot of herbs & plants that are natives to Oregon that I keep in mine. The next, would be a good 'magical' correspondence. The one by Scott Cunningham (because his information has proven itself to me, and many others time and time again) is a great starting point. His book should be used as a supplement to your "guide to gardening" book, since it goes more into what you can use each herb for.

Finally, if you want to get serious about gardening with a purpose, get a book on natural remedies. Simple things like diuretics, blood clotters, and anti-bacterial plants can be used to make different types of remedies for every day things, for diarehhea, a cut, or using in place of soap.

One important final note, always read about what you're using or growing. Know it, inside and out, even if you have to buy or borrow a book on it. Black Salve, while it could help with getting a bee stinger out, is corrosive and can cause tissue damage. Know the difference between plants, local and exotic, if they're in your garden. If you can, write labels for each area of plants with a warning if they're poisonous to be ingested or touched. If you have children playing in or around your garden, teach them about which herbs can hurt them, or keep the plants in a place out of reach if they're potted.

And most of all, get your green thumb on!