8 Reasons Why You Should Start Keeping A Garden Diary
There are two times when a tree is best planted: 20 years ago and now. It’s never too late to start the garden of your dreams!
The Five Minute Garden by Laetitia Maklouf encourages you to make the most of just 5 minutes a day: little and often will not make you feel overwhelmed and bring you joy every day. Writing in your garden journal can be part of that process. Here are a few reasons why I like keeping a weekly planner dedicated to that special space.
1. Keep track of your regular chores
Can you remember the last time the grass was mowed or that houseplant watered? If the answer is not immediately yes (and who could blame you with everything else needing your attention) then writing it down can help you.
You can set up reminders on your phone and write down every completed task. Whether you have to manage a large garden or indoor plants, keeping daily or weekly records will help you focus your energy and act.
Top tip: choose a diary with a perpetual week planner to be able to use it at your own pace.
2. Record the weather and any pests sighting
Make sure to note the weather, it will be useful from year to year to compare the performance of the plants and explain why some may struggle or do really well. It is also helpful to keep track of your first and last frost dates to make the most of your entire growing season.
If you have to spray or bait to repel garden pest, write down the required treatment frequency, product and equipment used and when the problem is successfully resolved. It will be a good reference if the problem returns.
3. Remember which varieties did well and what to repeat next year
If you like trying out new plants or growing your own vegetables, it’s a great idea to keep track of the exact variety you planted and your favorites. When the time comes for ordering plugs, plants, seeds or bulbs, you’ll be ready to stock up on your most yielding, flavorful or simply stunning variety.
One on my repeat list this year: double daffodils. Daffodils bloom in early spring, are long-lasting and generally deer resistant. You can grow them in containers or in the ground and their frilly blooms will bring cheerfulness to your garden.
4. Curate your plant wish-list and garden dreams
I also use my garden diary to create my ‘wish-list’ of plants and garden-related items that I curate when visiting gardens, stores or watching inspirational content. On top of the list for me this year: a dwarf fig tree.
Think of your diary as your Garden Vision Board! Write down any ideas for landscaping, layout and what you would like to have in your garden: a decking chair, the sound of water, raised beds to grow vegetables, anything really! Even if you don’t have your dream space yet, you will be ready to start whenever you do.
5. Record any produce or flowers you harvest
If you grow your own vegetables or flowers, save a few minutes to make an entry in your diary every time you harvest and weigh your produce. It will give you a feeling of completion and is also great to find your best yielding varieties. Additionally, you will know at a glance whether you ought to plant more units to meet your needs.
Another fun idea for your journal: remark how long your cut flowers lasted in arrangements. It can help you plan the frequency between bouquet making sessions.
If you store your produce, make sure to take note of when you placed it in storage and monitor regularly for signs of decay: you will have a personalized entry of how long you can keep each type of produce in your storage conditions.
6. List your planting milestones
At the start of the growing season, you may be choosing to start your flowers or vegetables from seed. Some weeks can get busy with a lot of sowing to be done in a short amount of time and different germination rates: your diary will help you prioritize and make sure not to miss a thinning, re-potting or planting out milestone.
You can organize your work in advance too: for example, November and December (in zone 7, before the ground freezes) is the right time to plant your tulips, daffodils and irises.
Make a record of blooming start date and time until the plant is done blooming: this will help you stagger blooms and ensure your outdoor space is as full of color as can be throughout the seasons.
7. Monitor your spend
If you are gardening on a budget, making a diary entry of your weekly or monthly spend can be a convenient tool to keep you on track.
Use your other notes to help you prioritize your spend: do you need to replace an evergreen for winter interest or prefer to invest in a garden structure?
8. Get a feeling of achievement
When the growing season is nearing its end and all jobs are buttoned up for the year, coming back to your diary will give a great feeling of accomplishment and make you excited for next year!
