Gardening Grace Notes, My Garden Journal

This quote called to me – every word and every sentence. It has all the grace notes of gardening.

“I love to grow plants inside and out. Furthermore, gardening brings me peace. My mind eases as I weed. I can get lost in a seed catalog. Reading an old book on gardening or flower arranging is a favorite way to spend a rainy afternoon. In short, I record all gardening-grace-notes-my-garden-journal.”

And sadly, wink, I tell my husband I will cook dinner any night when it rains; otherwise, there are sandwich fixings in the refrigerator. He takes it in strides and eats it on the porch while I finish deadheading.

What is a Garden Grace Note to you?

Gardening means different things to different people. That is what I love about it, as well as its many garden styles. Exploring the various varieties of plants can lead me to the perfect fit for a bare spot. I dream nostalgic about the perennial gardens of my grandmothers, great-grandmother, and the older neighbors of my youth. Lastly, herbs’ novelty, lore, use, and versatility are a constant source of education for me. And how I learned so much about herbs from great ladies I met when I was a young newlywed. Visiting a garden – backyard or public – is a pleasure, as is seeing how someone else creates it. Gardens mean possibilities to me – change, growth, beauty.

Where do I keep all my ideas?

With all the inspiration surrounding us, I take notes and sketch things I see. I take photos on my phone as I walk the dogs. I tear out pictures from magazines that inspire me. With all these ideas and plant-envy notes, I had a problem keeping all those items in one place. So, I started keeping notebooks and journals as a place for all my pieces of paper. I call them my Gardening Grace Notes. Here’s another blog, End of Summer Notes, discussing this idea.

Then, I came up with these layouts for my garden. (I have them on our Facebook Group Gardening Units, so jump over there to download them.) I still keep a 3-ring binder notebook, so I can leave it with the house if we move again. Then my curated journal keeps notes so I can have notes with me for the next year and the next home.

What Garden Notes to track?

• Existing plants
• Plants just planted – this helps if the seeds do not germinate or are beautiful!
• Blooming times – if nothing is blooming, this helps when ordering plants.
• Bare spots in the garden that need a plant, focal point, chair to sit and have tea
• Ideas and gardens you stumbled across
• Garden centers you visited or someone recommended
• Garden tools and pots that need replacing – helps if you come across a sale.
• A place to keep pictures and plant tags
• Recollections and reflects on gardens and gardeners – blog inspiration Gardening Recollections

This list seems extensive, but it isn’t full-time work. These are notes I have kept for some months. In other months, I may not keep as many notes; I just want to remember details. I love my journal because I like writing, sketching, and collaging. Loving these things makes journaling my garden fun. The reason for calling it my Gardening Grace Notes is that there is a simple charm, a grace to enjoying the blessings of nature.

Simplified Garden Grace Notes

Photographing the garden every Saturday is the simplest way to work on garden journaling. That takes care of half the boxes. Photos of ideas and garden center signs also work. Take a picture of a tool that needs replacing. Then, to have everything in one place, just put them in a digital folder. Don’t be overwhelmed by the process of keeping garden notes; please start simply keeping some. It is fun to see what ideas bring you joy.

Whatever the way you choose to document your garden, be sure it is pleasurable. And if you decide this year, you will just enjoy the flowers, sit back, and enjoy, no judgment. Take care of what you need at this moment. That truly is what this is all about: fun, peace, and gardening. I have a Pinterest Board Garden Grace Notes, if you need ideas. So please grab a drink, sit down, and enjoy seeing your flowers grow. If you want to learn more about creative journaling, I have other blogs about a Summer Journal and a Creative Journal. Along with a course and membership to create your own Curated Life Journal.