Planting for the Future

So I have been working on my garden plans for this year and there are endless options. So many possiblities. So many varieties. One of the tools I use to keep all of that straight is a garden journal. If you have never used a garden journal I highly encourage you to try it out. It doesn't have to be fancy - I imbelish mine as a creative outlet but you could use a spiral bound lined notebook. It helps you to know what you planted and when, if you had issues with germination, disease, pests and how you dealt with those things. Here are a few pictures from mine. I do use some templates that I just glue in with a gluestick from MyMoleskine. 

I use stickers, colored pencils, water colors... whatever. It really is just for me so. Check out my Gardening Journal Pinterest Page for ideas (its where I got most of my ideas)

I have multiple varieties of tomatoes so it is helpful to keep record of what ones were planted and I imbellished with colored pencils and water colors.

A journal entry from a walk about the property. I used color pencils and water colors.

I glued the information side of the seed packet in the book and placed the
picture side in a 2"x3" ziploc baggie with the seeds. I used color pencils to draw the veggie & herb.

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My square foot garden plans... subject to change - thus it is in pencil

I added some stickers that I found as wall clings at the dollar store just for an imbelishment

You get the idea.

There are also some great apps and websites out there that I use too. Mostly for growing information, pest management, and companion planting info. 

My personal 3 favorite mobile apps right now are (by preference): 

Gardenate, 

From Seed to Spoon 

Gardenoid. 

My personal favorite websites for garden site planning are: 

Kitchen Garden Planner from Gardener's Supply Co

Smart Garden Planner

One of the things every gardener has to decide is how they will start their plants. From Seeds? Seedlings from a nursery? Transplants from a friend or Farmer's Market?

Personally I prefer to plant from seeds. I find I have a better variety available. Seed catalogs are a great way to start planning in the off season. There are a few out there that you can get for free in the mail if you request them. I usually request a catalog in December from Burpee, Seed Savers Exchange and Johnny's Selected Seeds and start ordering seeds in January and February. By March many of the varieties will be sold out. 

This year I started my seedlings out on April 1st which some may consider to be a few weeks late but because I live in zone 5b (aka the North) - and planting doesn't happen until Mid-May it has worked beautifully. We recently had a hard freeze and snow... IN MAY. Some of my friends planted 1-2 wks ago and I saw so many pictures of dead tomato plants... so sad. 

Tray 1 (of 3) - Seedling on April 24

May 14 Seedlings.
The tall ones on the left are already being
brought outside daily to harden off.

If you don't use all your seeds, SAVE THEM. You can use them next year. I have a fairly decent seed library of my own now. Yes you will lose a bit of germination each year but if you keep them indoors, dry and cool they are good for AT LEAST 5 years if not longer.

Flower  & Herb Seed Tin

Vegetable Seed Tin

Also if you are on a budget, ask around to see if anyone has any left over seeds that they aren't going to use. You will be suprised to see how many people are willing to share. Especially if you are willing to share some of the bounty that comes in. Many of my family members and close friends get to enjoy the canning goodness that results from these seeds, particulary at Christmas time! Those homemade gifts are always a big hit and people start to look forward to them. 

May 24 -Those tomato seedlings you saw in those previous pictures are now in the garden. There are currently 10 tomato plants in the ground, but there will be more going in as I am not done yet.

Where ever you are in your gardening journey, I hope you are enjoying it.