It's spring and I'm so excited to be in my garden again. We aren't past the last average frost date so I haven't started planting anything in the ground yet. I did buy a few plants and potted them up in containers which can be easily moved inside if the temperature drops.
March is the perfect time to start a garden journal.
I purchased a small (girly) journal at Michaels in the half price bin. It's the perfect way to keep track of my plants, purchases and future plans.
Here is a picture of one I 've had since 1995!! It has withstood 20 garden seasons. It's where I have kept plant labels and valuable information about the plants in my garden. It's nice to go back and look at what variety of rose or clematis I planted. The horticulture department at OSU sold these and it includes growing information specific to Oklahoma for each month. OSU also produces a weekly show on gardening that can be viewed on You tube.
I would be lost without my trusty old garden journal and it's bursting at the seams and that's what prompted me to buy a new and "girlier" one for garden season.
These are the plant tags from last year that I need to
file in my new journal. Most of these plants were purchased late in the summer when nurseries and garden centers discount their stock significantly. I have landscaped my yard with many "fixer-upper" plants and after one season they look great and the savings is at least 50-75%.
I also write down when butterflies, cardinals and hummingbirds arrive each year so I know when to start looking for them so I can put up feeders.
I jot down garden plans and chores for each month. When I purchase plants I staple the plant tags on the pages so I can remember how to care for any new plant varieties I try.
I also write down where I purchased the plant as well. I've even kept a envelope with receipts for new plants I've not grown before because most nurseries have a one year guarantee on their plants.
If I go to the effort of taking care of something all year and it is labeled for my zone then I don't feel bad when I take it back for a refund or store credit if it dies.
I think it also allows the nurserymen to know what not to order next year so we don't waste our time growing something that isn't appropriate for our zone.
You can get really fancy with your journals with pretty stickers on the pages too. I think Susan Branch's garden journals are the most beautiful! I had received the Susan Branch garden journal as a gift several years ago and it came with extra garden stickers. Since I've purchased a new journal I thought this would be the
perfect place to use them.
Susan Branch's journal is more of a scrapbook and photo album of my garden than a day to day journal. I think it's out of print now and if she ever reprints them they are the perfect gift for any gardener!
I just love all her works. The quote on the cover says
"God has given us our memories that we might
have roses in December",
isn't that lovely?
In addition to planning my garden I have been getting out my Easter decorations. Before I placed them throughout the house I thought I'd gather them together and share some of my favorite spring pieces.
Some are at least 20 years old
but if you love a piece so what if it's not in "style".
This large bunny has hopped on many of my tablescapes and vignettes for 20 years. He hasn't aged a bit.
This 'Carrots for Sale' sign is from a very long time ago when my home was decorated in a very country theme. I just loved it and couldn't get rid of it when I redecorated
so I bring it out every spring.
A few moss covered pots and an antique frog are some of my favs too. Birdhouses and nests are also some of my favorite things to decorate the house with for Easter.
I collect garden and nature themed accessories mostly from our travels and they bring back lovely memories
of the places we've been.
These are sweet love birds given to me by a
special garden friend. I think they are cast concrete
and then aged.
I love this garden mug. I purchased a set at an antique mall in Austin years ago and love that they are English bone china. They are labeled 'The Royal Horticultural Society' on the inside rim of each mug and are perfect for a spring tea.
Pansy faces are the cutest... a closeup of the mug.
April is almost here so I'll finally be able to start planting in the garden but until then I'll be planning and preparing my garden journal for this growing season.
Happy Spring!
