Planning for Planting:: Keeping a Garden Journal
I follow this with a section where I record anything I plant in a given week, it's preferences as to sun, shade, etc. I make careful note of where I planted it, and try to remember to put it on the garden chart in the previous section. I record color, expected height and width, and anything else I need to know about the particular plant. I also note where I bought it, since, if it fails, some places will allow me to return it.
Next I have a "What's blooming" section. These are pages I printed up for myself, one for every week of the growing season. Part of each page is devoted to a list of things in bloom that particular week--and my reactions to them. It's fun to compare notes, to see if the roses are early or late this year. It's also helpful to realize that something should have bloomed a month ago--then I can look to see if it is even there anymore, or in need of special pampering.
There is also a space to record the week's weather. This always seems boring. "It's raining today and 70," hardly seems worth the ink I use up. But the next year, when we're in the middle of a drought and wondering if it's always like this in July, I have a record. I can tell, by comparing years, whether the season is unusually cool, or rainy, or dry.
Finally, I have a "Thoughts, plans and dreams section"--more like a traditional journal. It's here that I write down all my bright ideas about new plants I want and ways to shoehorn them in, or new gardens I want to plant. I also make "to do" lists here, to help me make those dreams and plans reality. Finally I make notes here about plants that I would just as soon turn into compost, or move somewhere whenever the appropriate time comes. If they're scheduled to move, I can note an approximate date on my calendar where all the rest of the chores are scheduled.
Keeping a garden journal sounds like work, but believe me, I have not only enjoyed it, but loved reading old entries, seeing how my ideas have changed along with the garden. I am always grateful for all my past notes on what thrives where and under what conditions. In winter I keep peeking at it, trying to rediscover exactly when
Latest Articles