Saturday, February 1, 2014

Planning for Spring - Use a Garden Journal

Plan for Spring planting with a garden journal
The Humble Garden Journal
It is hard to think about planning for Spring planting when the garden looks like this.  But eventually, Spring will happen.  And when it does, I need to be prepared.
Bird house in the snow in garden
Several years ago I began to keep a garden journal.  This has become vitally important to my garden planning and planting.  I primarily use this journal to keep track of the edibles in our various gardens, both annual (like tomatoes, greens, and carrots) and perennial (like strawberries, grapes and blueberries).  But sometimes I make note of the landscaping plants if something strikes me as important or something I should remember.
Plan for Spring with a garden journal
My journal is nothing more than a pretty spiral notebook filled with lined paper that I found on clearance. No tabs, categories, or calendars.  Just paper and pen.
Use a journal to remember what happened in your garden each year
In my journal I keep track of everything going on in my garden.  I start with putting the date on top of the page. Then I start to write anything and everything that crosses my mind that day in the garden.  I do not journal every day, but try to get something written down four or five times a month.  Some entries are only a sentence or two and some entries go on for page after page.

Each year I draw maps of where I planted what with detailed lists of the type and variety of seed including who produced the seed. Then throughout the growing season I write down how everything is doing.  This includes information on the dates seeds (or plants) were put in, dates of germination, dates of first true leaves, dates of first flowers/fruits, harvest amounts, and very importantly how the things taste and whether my daughter and husband would eat it.  I also track pest damage and control measures, and soil amendments.  All this information helps me rotate crops, figure out what grows best in each type of garden environment, and determine if I want to grow that variety again or not.
Use the garden journal to keep maps, plants used, and harvest totals
In addition, in my journal I track the dates the first migratory birds arrive, even the ones just passing through to more northern climates. I track the dates the butterflies arrive.  I track when the critters show up: everything from chipmunks, fox, opossum, turkey, deer, and the ever challenging ground hog (we get a different one each year).
Include plant dates, varieties, pests, soil amendments, and harvests
I have enjoyed going back through my garden journal when planning the next Spring's plantings.  It is like winter therapy.  And, it is interesting how many details I forget once winter sets in and we are housebound for six months.  During the growing season I always assume I will remember this or that.  Nope.  I never do. Writing in my journal the details of how the garden performed that year has become an invaluable tool to successful growing.

You can  follow me on FacebookPinterest,  BloglovinGoogle+Sverve, and Twitter.

Featured on:
Adventures in Mindful Living - AIML Amber Neal A Mindful Mommy


Shared with:
DIY Sunday Showcase; Nifty Thrifty Sunday; Snickerdoodle Sunday; Happiness Is Homemade; Bewitch Titi & Me; Think Pink Sunday; Inspiration Monday; Link It or Lump It; Amaze Me Monday; Inspire Me Monday; MMM Link Up; Marvelous Mondays; More the Merrier Monday; Monday Funday; Sunday Best; Pin It Monday; Mommy Monday Blog Hop; COM Monday Link PartyClever Chicks Blog Hop; Homestead Barn Hop; Inspire Me Tuesday; Turn it Up Tuesday; The Scoop; Do Tell Tuesday; Show Me What You Got; Too Cute Tuesday; Share It Link Party; Tuesdays With A Twist; Hit Me With Your Best Shot; Winter Blues Wednesday; Wow Me Wednesday; Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop; Wake Up Wednesday; Your Whims Wednesday; Wow Us Wednesday; A Little Bird Told Me; Homemaking Link Up; Inspire Me Wednesday; Thriving on Thursday; Live Laugh Linky; Create It Thursday; Wildly Original Link Party; Made You Look; Catch a Glimpse Thursday; Thursday Favorite Things; Pin it Party; Homeacre Hop; Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways; Wildcrafting Wednesday; Craft Frenzy Friday; Linkn Blogs; Sorry, Not Sorry; Friday Pinfest; Friday Link Party; Pin It Thursday; Friday Flash Blog Hop; Tickled Pink Times Two; From the Farm Blog Hop; Farmgirl FridaySerenity Saturday; Pin It party; Craft, Create, Inspire; Four Season Blog Hop

45 comments:

  1. I can't believe it's time to start thinking about my spring garden. I really want to have a green thumb, but my plants beg to differ. :) I think a journal would help me keep track of what I need to do--great tips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natalie I think the definition of a green thumb is never discuss your failures and never give up. Eventually something will grow!

      Delete
  2. I know people who read seed catalogs for pleasure!
    # socialmediasaturday New follower. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for linking up to this month's Share the Love blog hop over at http://www.serenityyou.com/2014/02/share-love-february.html

    Natasha @ Serenity You

    ReplyDelete
  4. Every year I start a gardening journal, but alas, it falls to the wayside when I start working outside. The info you gather in your journal is amazing. I don't think I could be that disciplined.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just popping over from the MMM link up party - I love the idea of a garden journal! What a great winter blues buster! I pinned this post to share your fabulous idea with my followers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a fantastic idea! Awesome to have all those thoughts, plans, and dates compiled in one place and what fun to refer back to from year to year. I have struggled to keep up with our gardening and a little more organization and tracking would probably do our gardening journey a lot of good! Thanks for sharing at MMM!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great idea! I think I will start one soon, since my garden is full of snow and my mind is dreaming of Spring:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Every year I get excited and plan a spring garden and go out and work it and come back so excited to see the new babies sprout and then the notes I pinned to the fridge fall into the trash and I can't remember what is where....maybe a notebook is a good idea!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the simplicity of your notebook AND the thoroughness of it. My bird friends delight me, yet I am not exactly sure when the golden finches left and the phoebes took their place! This would come in so handy. I noted this year the tulip magnolias are blossoming earlier which has reminded me to go stalk the almond orchards (one of my favorite spaces for photography.) So glad I popped over from Tune it Up Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi there Widgey Cat (cool name!). Just stopping in from the Show Me What Ya Got link party. I have a garden journal that I haven't kept up with in years, but now I think I'll resurrect it. Our yard looks like yours, poor garden totally buried in snow! Thanks for the good journalling ideas!
    Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh I use to do that, now I just wing it depending on the weather. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  12. I need to try this year I am the most unorganized gardener ever

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love my garden journal. I keep old seed packets there so I can see what WORKS in my garden and my goofy drawing of how I want to layout my small garden. Great post and pinning to my garden board.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I never thought of doing a garden journal, but it makes great sense! As a newbie gardener, I think it would be really helpful. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is a really good idea! I need to do that myself. I actually made a compost for my garden this year so hopefully it helps as well! Stopping by from the Pin in Party--pinned!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seriously, such a good idea! Between two flower gardens & a vegetable garden, this would be so helpful. Stopping by from the Mom Lovin' Hop!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a treasure! Be sure to keep them for your grandkids! :) Thanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesday! :)

    ~ Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  18. I dont have a notebook, I have a file folder with all my notes and everything in it. I have been thinking about putting it all in a notebook. This post inspired me to go and dig it out. You are so right, this is great winter therapy!! Thanks for linking it up for MMM link up party this week!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have a garden notebook too. Makes me feel like I am prepared for spring and summer.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing with us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. "Spring will Come". I'm doing the garden journal, inspired by you, this year! Its awesome! This is an outstanding blog!! I found you through the blog hop and am so glad I did; I am your newest follower, and can't wait for more! Hoping you'll stop by and say hi sometime! wanderlust-wishlist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for the idea of a garden notebook, by the time next spring comes around, I usually forget important stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  23. we use a similar idea for our garden on the computer. Although I like the idea of a journal very much. Thank you for helping to make the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop so much fun. Big Hugs ♥

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love my gardening. I don't do a lot of planning. I should do more!! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Four Seasons Blog Hop. I am pinning this for future reference!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am so ready for spring and gardening. I haven't planned out my garden yet, but it's on my to do list. Your journal is a great idea to keep everything in one place. I am stopping by from the Friday Pin Fest.

    ReplyDelete
  26. A plan what a great idea! I usually just end up throwing stuff in the ground with fingers crossed! Thanks SO much for linking up to Hit Me With Your Best Shot! Hope to see you again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Every year I start a gardening journal, but alas, it falls to the wayside when I start working outside. The info you gather in your journal is amazing. I don't think I could be that disciplined.
    Việc làm điều dưỡng Tuyển điều dưỡng sang Nhật làm việc
    viec lam dieu duong Tuyển điều dưỡng đi Nhật
    điều dưỡng viên Nhật Bản đi Nhật Bản làm điều dưỡng

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the idea of a garden notebook, by the time next spring comes around, I usually forget important stuff.
    ---
    mua căn hộ dưới 1 tỷ hcm

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mumbai Escorts agency offer final group of beautiful Models and Indian superstar. They resolve get mind of you every night and carry you excellent feeling of Escort service in Mumbai

    Mumbai Escorts | Call Girls in Mumbai | Mumbai Call Girls | Escorts in Mumbai | Russian Mumbai Escorts | Call Girls Service in Mumbai | Escort Service in Mumbai

    ReplyDelete
  30. I saw an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency about two months ago and I took my chance. I contacted a broker who I saw videos on youtube and I invested a huge sum of money around $665,211 which was deposited using Bitcoin with hopes to gain massive returns on my investment. I kept tracking my portfolio and it was increasing daily on the website. It made me excited and confident. Fast forward to 30 Days after, which was supposed to be my payout date, I tried to make a withdrawal as I needed money to foot my bills and buy my new house, but the broker insisted that I continue to invest or will have to pay some fees to withdraw my funds. That was very disappointing to hear, because it was all going smoothly when I deposited the funds. Eventually, I paid the fees which was about $45,800. I was desperate now because according to my portfolio, I had made about $1,512,400. Now you see why I was willing to pay the fees. It turned out it was a scheme to keep asking me for more money for one thing or the other, like Taxes, miner fees and so many others. I declined, and instead I won’t pay more. They locked my account for several weeks. A month after, I saw a post on Quora about a Rustik Cyber Hack Service which stated they were capable of getting my money recovered. With a little faith in me, I contacted them immediately, and discussed my situation, and sent all the information I had. In less than a week, I was able to recoup my BTC. I praise the universe for sending them my way. I wish to recommend them to everyone out there. they are capable of recover any crypto coins Bitcoin, Usdt ,Eth, Dogecoin, bank transfer funds now i have my funds back with there guidelines and skills you can always contact them via Email: (rustikcyberhacksservice @ gmail com) or Call/WhatsApp (+ 1) 38. 63. 4 8. 78. 38

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...