Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Planning Stage

I have spent most of January perusing garden magazines and books and making a Garden Plan For 2010. I think I have it down now if I can just keep this up. This is the first time I have actually spent much time in planning and I think it will certainly pay off in the end.

The first things I did was to make many lists. I made list of what I wanted to do and things I could do on my own and things I will have to hire some one to help. I made lists of plants that I already have and seeds I will be sowing for spring. I made lists of my gardens and their particular conditions.

The following is the results and I will tell you what I did. First I had to have a list of what I would be working with and all the particulars. I don't think I did very well placing my photos but here it is.

This is the plan for the first 4 months "2010 Garden/Landscape Planner". I placed the weeks going down and month across. This way I can see exactly how I can fit the projects in and at a glance determine what I need to do next. This planner I will write on and change as time passes making note of the completed chores.


I had to have more room and more specific information for implementing these goals. Here I created a page that I write a lot of notes and additional plans. This is to help me to be accountable and reach my goals. "Monthly Goals/Things To Do"

I have photos from 2009 gardens and I printed the photo and jotted down info about that particular garden - the conditions such as amount of sun, site problems and maybe how to remedy a problem. I also write down goals for this particular garden.

I made me a calender off of Word and this is where I note plantings and weather conditions.

Here I determine a theme or whatever and determine which seeds to plant where based on sun requirements.


I have a list of seeds I will be working with. I went to specific blogs whom I received seeds from and looked at the plants in their garden or to plant websites to obtain plant specifics. Two columns for notes about a specific plant. Columns for plant color, sun, plant height and spacing.

The last thing I have done is to prepare a time line. This is a seed start schedule and planting schedule for the baby plants. Across the top are in weeks with the date. I started with the first week I plan to start seeds which is Feb 13 and worked my way out to the week of April 24.


I am a planner for sure. Implementing my plans are something else. I think I will be able to work this plan pretty easy. Now comes the labor hours and hard work.
I can't wait to see all these pretties blooming this year. I must be patient for those perennials that bloom on the second year.
I hope that this may help someone else devise a plan. If you already do this each year pass on your tips to everyone.





21 comments:

April said...

I do not have to wonder where I got my tendency towards compulsive list-making and planning! Like mother, like daughter!

Unknown said...

You are soooooo organized. It all looks good and I'm sure will turn out just like you're planning. I thought I was doing good when I made an index of all my plants, year I bought and needs years ago. So much for that, I changed from a word processor to a computer and the discs weren't compatible. Someday I need to get back to it.
Good luck Becca - I can't wait to see pictures this summer.

Darla said...

You certainly know how to make me feel ashamed! lol!! This is wonderful Becca...writing everything down is the hard part for me. I am getting ready to re-do my entire sun bed.......let me know when your seeds arrive...every now and again, if you get perennial seeds in the ground in winter you'll get a bloom the first year...

Deb said...

wow you are good...I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants gal when it comes to the gardens...

Debbie's Garden said...

Becca this is awesome! I love organizing all these things down on paper. When they're rolling around in your mind its so overwhelming! Making a list (or 10) breaks it all down and helps you see you can do it. I Love It!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I am so envious of your planning and organization!!!! I am hoping to start my first veggie garden this year, Looks like I should be planning NOW!!!

Connie said...

Wow, Becca, it looks like you've thought of everything. I bet your garden will be the best ever this year.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Looks like you have everything covred. Now we just haave to wait for the warmer weather to come and saty with us.

Dirt Princess said...

Goodness! You have been busy making lists! Dang!!!! Thats a lot to keep up with! You lost me on list/chart number 3! LOL!!! I am kidding! Good for you, and a great idea! That will definitely come in handy

Roses and Lilacs said...

Wonderful way to get organized. Also fun to do when the weather keeps us indoors.

I used to use spread sheets but not so much anymore. Getting lazy or just burning out, I'm not sure which.
Marnie

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I'm a planner too, I love making lists and the feeling of accomplishment crossing things off. It looks like you've gotten yourself very organized. I like the idea of having a calender just for gardening, I may have to use that idea. Right now I've just got post it notes stuck onto different pages of the calender with garden chores I don't want to forget to do.

Lona said...

I am a planner too Becca. I have notebooks and list. Cut out the pictures of the seeds and flower I buy from the catalogs and add them to the notebook etc.I never thought of a calendar though. Good idea!I love the way you have organized everything.

Darla said...

YIPPEE!!! So glad you received the seeds.....can't wait to see what you do with them!!

Anonymous said...

I am envious of your organizational skills!!! I cannot wait to see all your pretties this Spring/Summer. Best wishes with all the seeds.

Unknown said...

Oh, Becca, how organized you are ... not my forte! Tho I know exactly what is where & will be mentally in my gardens which are expansive.

Good for you! Anxious to see your presentation this spring/summer.

TY for your sweet thoughts & words .. I am doing better daily now.

Have a beautiful day ~
Hugs, Marydon

Anonymous said...

Do weeds count as gardening?

Jean said...

Great organization! I know better than to even try. If I did start I'd never keep it up. I'm a see it, like it, buy it gardener. I move thing when I shouldn't because I'm inpatient. Wish I could be a better planner. Jean
PS Love the blue sky!!

Teresa~ Gardening with Soule said...

Wow, you are a planner. Lists are the secret to happiness. I am impressed when anyone is so thorough.

Kimberly Wright said...

You are super organized!

Far Side of Fifty said...

You are getting organised!! The Dianthus or Sweet William 'Sooty' should bloom the first year for you. I also noted that you have a rain.drip line problem..I would put a layer of soil and then cover about a six to twelve inch area with small round rocks..it will help disperse the rain fall off the roof and look better..some good old fashioned Lily of the Valley might work well there too..if is it part shade.
Garden On!! :)

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