Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Keeping A Garden Journal

Welcome to my garden . . .

I have been making a garden journal for the last two years.  It’s nice to go back and see what the weather was like on a certain date, or when and where you planted something and how it did in that spot.  I am a trial and error gardener.  I work my soil and use a lot of natural fertilizers (steer and chicken manure are my favorites).  I have no idea what I’m doing, I just dig, hoe, water, weed, get my hands dirty and see what happens.

We have a very small yard and a couple of years ago I purchased 60 bags of manure. In my head it sounded like the right amount.  I took my order to the check stand and wrote my check, then pulled around to the loading area to be greeted with a forklift and a pallet full of manure.



I was overwhelmed but didn’t want to admit it.  So home I went with a truck full of poop.  I decided what the _____ and I worked it into all my flower beds, added it to my outdoor pots and when I was done I spread the rest all over the lawn.  Neighbors were telling me that I was going to burn up every living thing in my yard.  Well, I already had the stuff so I used it, every single bag.  I decided I would just give it lots of water and see what happens.


What happened was this gal had the greenest lawn and the prettiest flower beds on our block and for a few blocks beyond.  Trial and error…that’s the way I garden. 
Aren't these journals pretty  . . . 
I bought them at the Dollar Store.


Now that I keep a journal I at lease have more of an idea of what works in my area and what doesn’t.  I love getting up early in the morning (after the weather is warm) and sitting out back on the screened-in porch with my morning coffee and writing in my book.  Now that spring is getting closer I enjoy pulling my journals off the shelf and reading, 
while dreaming of warm weather.

"Happy Garden Planning" 
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30 comments:

  1. I love your garden journals, Connie. They're so colorful.

    Your manure story is hilarious. It sounds like something I would do. I don't know how to garden either, but I always picture having a beautiful garden whenever I get a house.

    And like you, I love getting up early, sitting out on a porch and taking in the day with a nice cup of coffee.

    Have a great day

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  2. Good Morning Bea, It's Saturday and my poor tired husband is sleeping in. So, I'm up early sipping my coffee and check my blog. It was so nice receiving your cheery note; I do hope you get a house. Ours is an old 1950 ranch, that was is pretty bad shape when we purchased it 30 years ago. Through the years, bit by bit, we have turned it into a home that we dearly love. My prayer is that everyone has a home, a little place that is just theirs, a place to kick off their shoes, paint any color they choose and to just experience the comfort of home. I'm going to start praying you into just that. God is good, Connie

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  3. LOL...Thank you for the great laugh about the Poop...it was a good laugh that brought tears to my eyes... Guess mother nature and the good Lord decided that you deserved to have the prettiest lawn and flower beds in the county!

    I love the garden journal and your entries are so heart felt...I can see why you enjoy it so much...Enjoy all thos wonderful spring flowers that will brighten your days soon and may your garden continue to be the talk of town!!

    Blessings
    Tonya

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    1. I'm glad you had a good laugh . . . I also had to laugh at myself. Sometimes when you plan something on paper the reality doesn't quit match the idea. I tell everyone that I have a "PHD" in the school of Hard Knocks, majoring in Murphy's Law. Thanks for the sweet note, Connie

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  4. Fabulous gardens Connie and what a wonderful way to record your trials and errors. Good on you for having the greenest yards and prettiest flowers around.

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    1. Thanks Leigh, I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the post. I love getting my hands dirty and can not wait for spring.

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  5. Gorgeous garden journal. I love your little drawings!
    Penny x

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad you like it. It's a lot of fun to work on and a big help each year when I do my spring garden planning. I really enjoy your blog also.

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  6. Connie - that is a wonderful idea. The journal cover and the little doodles are just fabulous!

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    1. Thank you! After a morning of digging in the dirt, planting, hoeing and weeding, it's nice to make a cool ice tea and sit on the porch and record what I've done that day. Getting out colored pencils and doodling is relaxing too. I'm glad you like it.

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  7. Connie, thank you for following my blogs and I am now following yours! I just love it and the journals are wonderful, your photos fantastic and your guitar looks like mine-ha! Have a wonderful day. Kerrie

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    1. Nice to find another guitarist. I started playing about 4 year ago and then injured my right hand. I only have about 1/3 movement in three of my fingers, but my pointer is fine, so I'm a strummer, not a picker. I do a good job as far as backing up my singing and I do a lot of volunteer work playing and singing in assisted living and nursing homes. When I retired from work, the Old Time Fiddlers ask me to join their local group and now I have so much fun playing with them at the county fair, farmers market and at a few festivals around our county. It's so much fun and in the summer between jigs we have a lot of potluck dinners. Wish you were close enough to invite to join us. Connie

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  8. Oh Connie...this is a wonderful idea! I just love it. It's the perfect time to think of starting one, too, here at the beginning of spring. :)

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    1. I think you will really enjoy making one and then you'll find that one is not enough. You'll get hooked, like me and make a new volume each year. Have Fun!

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  9. Now this is just the smartest idea! I have no gardening ability but fortunately have a retired neighbor who DOES and loves to work in MY flower beds . . . best neighbor ever!

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    1. Sounds like a great neighbor, but you're missing so much fun!

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  10. What a lovely idea to keep a journal.
    Mary x

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    1. It is very helpful each new year when you plan your spring planting. I also include things like garden parties and friends and family that we've entertained that summer. Little notes like these help me remember the fun we had in the garden as well as the work of pulling weeds. Have a great day and thanks for the sweet comment, Connie

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  11. Yours looks waaay better than mine...I think I like your idea better. I think I'll look for a "garden" type journal next time i go out shopping~

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    1. Hi Kelly. I found these pretty blank journals with handmade paper covers at the Dollar Store. Love that place . . . save a buck when you can. Thanks for your sweet comment, Connie

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  12. Connie - adore your garden journal! Such a great idea and so well done. Perused your past posts and must say Cocoa Beach is indeed wonderful. The whole alligator thing with your adventures with your brother is fun to read, but seeing a gator up that close....yikes! So glad you visited my blog and left your sweet comment. Will post about the shindig soon!

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    1. Hi there, I'm surprised that you even had time to leave this comment, and thank you for your sweet words. You must be so busy getting ready for your show. Have a great time! I'll be watching your blog for photos. Your new blogging friend, Connie

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  13. Truly impressive stuff!Enjoyed spending time on your site!Landscape Gardener CV Template

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    1. That's a very nice compliment, coming from a landscaper. Thank you, Connie

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  14. I keep a journal too - nothing as colourful as your's. But I love looking back to see what was in bloom when, how the weather has changed and what I want to move around in the garden. Like the photos in your journal - that way you can really keep track of what's happening.

    I'm your newest follower!! Are you at 51?

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    1. Heather, I'm so glad that you like my garden journal. It is very helpful. I sometimes move things around my yard, like other women move furniture in there living room. I have found that if something doesn't grow well in one place, sometimes it just needs a little move. I think that it's not just the sun and shade but even the soil can be richer or poorer in another area of the same yard. Learning as I go. Connie

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  15. You've inspired me so much, Connie! I haven't had a garden in a few years, but hubby and I are going to have one this year. I love your garden journal and plan to try doing one myself. I love drawing and painting and would also love to do some collage with pics from seed catalogs and the like. Thanks for getting me excited about gardening and journaling! :D

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    1. Lisa, I would love to see your journal. So,as you work on it be sure to post photos of it on your blog. I am your newest follower, so I'll be watching. Gardening can be so rewarding, even if its just flower gardening. Zinnias are my favorite to grow, because they start blooming in July and keep blooming through frost. They are so colorful and have such a country garden charm. I have vases in my kitchen window all summer, thanks to my Zinnias. Give them a try...also, they are about the easiest of all flowers to grow. looking forward to seeing your name on my follower list, God bless you, Connie

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  16. Replies
    1. Thank you so much . . . I'm about to start my 2012 garden journal now.

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