Garden Resolution #3: Keep a record.
“Now where did I put that?” “What was this one called?”
If you see someone wandering around their garden in the spring, peering and muttering, it’s a good chance that they are expressing some variation of the above!
Today, it’s easier than ever to keep better garden records. Many people enjoy using a paper journal, where notes or sketches can be made. Others prefer the convenience of a photo journal, with pictures snapped on your phone. Various plant ID apps which store your observations are also available. Whichever method you choose, keeping track of your plantings and results can save time, effort and money.
In addition to improving organization, a garden journal can encourage you to spend more time simply observing your garden. As any practitioner of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) knows, observation is the key to heading off many pest and disease problems in their early, more manageable stages. For example, regular checks of your viburnum bushes will reveal when the larvae of viburnum leaf beetles appear, making it much easier to get on top of them before too much damage is done.
And if you’re one of those busy bees who feels slightly guilty just sitting and enjoying your garden–relax. You can always just call it IPM!
Photo: Pam Ford
“Now where did I put that?” “What was this one called?”
If you see someone wandering around their garden in the spring, peering and muttering, it’s a good chance that they are expressing some variation of the above!
Today, it’s easier than ever to keep better garden records. Many people enjoy using a paper journal, where notes or sketches can be made. Others prefer the convenience of a photo journal, with pictures snapped on your phone. Various plant ID apps which store your observations are also available. Whichever method you choose, keeping track of your plantings and results can save time, effort and money.
In addition to improving organization, a garden journal can encourage you to spend more time simply observing your garden. As any practitioner of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) knows, observation is the key to heading off many pest and disease problems in their early, more manageable stages. For example, regular checks of your viburnum bushes will reveal when the larvae of viburnum leaf beetles appear, making it much easier to get on top of them before too much damage is done.
And if you’re one of those busy bees who feels slightly guilty just sitting and enjoying your garden–relax. You can always just call it IPM!
Photo: Pam Ford
RSS Feed