Taking notes about weather, bloom time, harvest, and pests makes you a better gardener.
There is more than one compelling reason to keep a garden journal.
Scott Akeris a research horticulturist and head of horticulture and education at theU.S.
Credit: psphotograph/Getty Images
National Arboretumin Washington, D.C.
Why Keep a Garden Journal?
Keeping a garden journal provides real benefits when it comes to planning, planting, and maintaining a garden.
Every garden has microclimates, says Scott Aker, research horticulturist at the U.S. National Arboretum.
Credit: Marianne Willburn
The recognizable, observable phases in a plant or animals life cycle are called phenophases.
Time Gardening Chores
Without recorded data, your garden observations soon become hazy memories.
Wasthe last frostat the end of April or in the middle of May last year?
Kousa dogwood begins flowering in spring.Credit: David A Land
Have theaphidsbeen worse in April or in June?
Keeping records helps you to time all sorts of gardening chores.
The database helps you recognize and record specific events in your location, such as yourlilac leafing out.
Credit: Marianne Willburn
Keeping records stops you from repeating past mistakes just as much as it helps you repeat your victories.
Thermometers with two or three remote stations are even better.
If youstart seedsorpropagate plants, dont rely on your memory to remember which ones youre sprouting.
A garden journal can help you keep track of when daffodils bloom in spring.Credit: Jacob Fox
Record the date you started each seed or propagated plant, as well as the variety.
This information makes it easy to generate must-have seed and plant lists for next year.
The most important thing is developing the habit of observation.
