The Ultimate Guide to Gardening Journals: Planning, Recording, and Celebrating Your Garden
Hello fellow garden enthusiasts! If you’re like me, you understand the importance of keeping track of your plants, documenting your progress, and planning for the seasons ahead. Sure, seeds, soil, water, and sunshine are essential for a thriving garden, but having a gardening journal is just as vital.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best gardening journals available today, along with a few DIY options for those who prefer a more personalized approach. We’ll cover how to use your journal throughout the seasons, and provide tips on choosing the right journal for your needs. Let’s dive in!
The Best Gardening Journals
When it comes to gardening journals, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, a good journal can help you stay organized, track your progress, and plan for the future. Here are some questions to keep in mind when choosing a gardening journal:
- Is it designed for single year or multi-year use?
- Does it include blank, dot grid, or graph pages for designing layouts?
- Does it offer plenty of note-taking space?
- Is there a planner or calendar for scheduling tasks?
- Does it provide seasonal task reminders?
- Is the journal structured and guided, or more freeform?
- Does it match your experience level?
Now, let’s explore seven of the best gardening journals I’ve found, along with three DIY options for those who prefer a more flexible approach.
1. The Garden Journal, Planner, and Log Book
“The Garden Journal, Planner, and Log Book” by Joy Kieffer is a comprehensive journal designed for plant record-keeping. With logs for individual plants, weather tracking, cultivation and propagation details, and helpful gardening tips, this journal is perfect for experienced gardeners looking for an organized way to keep detailed records.
2. Gardener’s Log Book: A 5-Year Planner
The “Gardener’s Log Book: A 5-Year Planner” by the New York Botanical Garden offers multi-year planning and flexible structure. With charts for tracking tasks, yearly plans, and gardening information, this journal is great for gardeners who prefer creating their own note-taking system.
3. My Gardening Handbook
“My Gardening Handbook” is a sustainably-minded journal made from recycled paper. With space for plant records, glossary of terms, plant recognitions, recipes, and tips for beginners, this journal is perfect for gardeners of all levels who value sustainability.
4. My Gardening Journal
“My Gardening Journal” by Quiet Fox Designs is a simple yet effective journal with plant logs, gardening information, and cute botanical illustrations. This journal is ideal for tracking individual plants, planning designs, and recording gardening experiences.
5. Outdoor Journals: The Gardener’s Journal
“Outdoor Journals: The Gardener’s Journal” offers a compact, practical diary for outdoor enthusiasts. With plant logs, garden planners, and sketching sections, this journal is handy for gardeners who want to keep records of their plantings and designs.
6. RHS A Gardener’s Five Year Record Book
For a no-nonsense, structured approach, the “A Gardener’s Five Year Record Book” from the Royal Horticultural Society is a fantastic choice. With weekly planners, plant lists, and beautiful botanical illustrations, this record book is perfect for seasoned growers who prefer a streamlined journaling system.
7. A Year in the Garden: A Guided Journal
“A Year in the Garden: A Guided Journal” by Nina and Sonya Montenegro is a beautifully designed journal organized by months. With monthly calendars, planners, trackers, and creative prompts, this journal is ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners looking for a guided, reflective journaling experience.
Three DIY Bonus Options
For those who prefer a more personalized approach, here are three DIY options to create your own gardening journal:
1. Cognitive Surplus Softcover Green Plants Notebook
The “Softcover Dot Grid Green Plants Notebook” is a flexible, science-inspired journal with dot grid pages for creativity and structure. Ideal for creative gardeners who want to design their own layouts.
2. Rite in the Rain All-Weather Universal Field Book
The “All-Weather Universal Field Book” is a weatherproof notebook with lined and graph paper, perfect for outdoor use. Great for rugged gardeners who need a durable, water-resistant journal.
3. Unruled Classic Spiral Bound Blank Notebook
The “Classic Spiral Bound Blank Notebook” offers blank pages for freeform note-taking, sketching, and planning. Perfect for gardeners who prefer a more flexible, DIY approach to journaling
Journals for Gardeners: A Multi-Season Tool
Throughout the seasons, your gardening journal can be a valuable tool for planning, recording, and celebrating your garden. From seed inventory in winter to harvest tallies in fall, your journal can help you stay organized and track your progress year-round.
- In Winter: Use your journal to update seed inventory, plan for spring planting, and start indoor seed sowing.
- In Spring: Add specific details to your garden design, rotate crops, and track plant growth and bloom times.
- In Summer: Record plant successes, note pest problems, and weigh and tally harvests throughout the season.
- In Fall: Add up your annual harvest, review your gardening successes and challenges, and start planning for the next year’s garden.
By keeping detailed records in your journal, you can learn from past experiences, track plant growth, and plan for future seasons with confidence.
Your Dirt Diary
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, there’s a gardening journal out there for you. From structured planners to DIY notebooks, finding the right journal can help you stay organized, track your progress, and celebrate your gardening journey.
Do you use a gardening journal? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below! Happy gardening!
