As the current garden season comes to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the successes and lessons learned from the year. While cleaning up the garden, take time to compare this season with previous ones. Planning for next year begins now, while the experience is still fresh.
For example, it’s easy to realize that certain plants were over-planted, or that new varieties of vegetables discovered later in the season might be worth trying next year. Writing down notes at this stage can make a significant difference to next year’s garden success.
Keeping a garden journal is an effective way to track soil tests, amendments, and crop rotation. It can be as simple as jotting down notes in a notebook or a phone app. This allows gardeners to remember important details such as where tomatoes were planted for future rotation and what soil amendments were made.
Garden journaling can also include creative aspects. In addition to recording plant growth and observations, the journal can be a place to sketch new layout ideas or document the variety of colours in the garden. Keeping track of observations about plant types, pests, and wildlife can lead to new discoveries for the next growing season.
The flexibility of a garden journal is what makes it so useful. Whether it’s a digital list or a notebook filled with sketches, keeping track of what worked and what didn’t ensure better results the following year. Use the off-season to prepare, reflect, and make notes for a more organized and successful garden next year.