Organizing Seeds and Mapping Garden Space

Chapter Views:

• 00:00 🚗 Plans for seed organization stressing cost-effectiveness.
• 03:24 📦 Importance of Michaels’ photo boxes for organized seed storage; reflecting on past disorganization.
• 05:11 🗂️ Challenges with insufficient seed boxes; purchase of additional boxes for better organization; plan to use a legal pad for notes.
• 09:07 📚 Encouragement for gardening; personal experience with horticulture classes; insights from landscape design class.
• 11:00 🌳 Showcase of master garden plan; importance of crop rotation and companion planting; personal journey from a small bed to a larger garden.
• 20:09 📈 Discussion on expanded garden, future plans, and dreams; mention of potential small market share or garden ministry.
• 21:03 🖊️ Practical tips for garden planning; importance of drawing a master copy for each season; recommendation of square foot gardening.
• 22:15 🌱 Caution about challenges in maintaining expanded garden space; advice to start small and gradually expand based on success.
• 23:51 📏 Stress on keeping records of gardening activities; suggestions for beginners with flowers or small beds; encouragement to learn from both successes and failures.

Ok. That’s the TL;DR.

Here is from my video. Watch and read and let me know if you have better ideas. Or, if you just want to share.

Getting Organized for a Bountiful Gardening Season 🌱📦

Hi Everybody,

I hope this day finds you well and full of excitement for the upcoming gardening season! 🌼🍅 As someone who shares a passion for gardening, I wanted to reach out and share a recent experience that might spark some inspiration for your own garden planning.

In this video I share my insights on seed organization and garden planning. I went to Michaels to snag some discounted photo boxes for seed packets to the importance of keeping records of planting successes and failures.

How to Organize Seeds and Plan the Garden (briefly, then more detailed)

To organize seeds, consider using archival-safe photo boxes, as shown in the video. These boxes are available at Michaels and are commonly used by gardeners (like you and me). Label and categorize the boxes based on the type of seeds or plants you intend to grow. It’s recommended to separate vegetable, fruit, flower, and herb seeds to keep things organized. Additionally, create a master plan or drawing of your garden layout, marking where each type of seed will be planted. This plan helps with crop rotation and efficient use of space. Regularly review and update your seed organization, making notes on successes and failures for future reference.

How About Drawing the Garden Space?

I know this is long, but it is worth it. I wanted to bullet this out, so it is easy to follow. I honestly hope it helps you, and you can see what I’ve done with it myself in the video.

Remember, this is for a small raised bed to a larger space, and highlights the significance of planning, record-keeping, and adapting based on previous experiences. As in, you kept a record and know what happened last year. You will forget! I promise. “Hey, what was that tomato we liked,” said John. “I think it was xyz,” I said, but I really had only a vague idea. You don’t have to forget like I have.

Also you must take into consideration factors like space, sunlight, and plant varieties. Just remember whether this is the first garden or tenth, you can benefit from these easy to follow steps on gardening.

To draw your garden, follow these steps:

Gather Supplies

• Get a good-quality pencil with a reliable eraser.
• Use card stock or thicker paper to draw on for durability.
• Consider using a drafting ruler for straight lines.

Choose a Scale

• Decide on a scale for your drawing. For example, each square on your paper could represent one square foot of your actual garden.

Start with an Outline

• Begin by drawing the outline of your garden space. Include any existing structures, like fences, walls, or buildings.

Add Existing Features:

• Mark the location of any permanent features, such as trees, shrubs, or existing flower beds.

Plot Planting Areas:

• Use symbols or labels to represent different planting areas for vegetables, fruits, flowers, or herbs.

Consider Sunlight and Shade:

• Take note of the sunlight patterns throughout the day. Indicate areas of full sun, partial shade, or full shade.

Include Pathways:

• Draw pathways or walkways between planting areas. Consider their width based on how you plan to navigate through the garden.

Label Plants:

• Label specific plants or groups of plants within each planting area. This will help with crop rotation planning.

Use Colors or Shading:

• If you like, use colors or shading to differentiate between different types of plants or features.

Create a Legend:

• Include a legend or key to explain the symbols, colors, or labels you’ve used in your drawing.

Plan for Growth:

• Anticipate the growth of plants over time. Consider spacing requirements and potential size of mature plants.

Photograph or Scan:

• Take a photograph or scan your garden drawing for digital records or future reference.
• John actually took the aerial photos from our county and used it as a reference for some things.
  • Google maps might also help.

Remember that your garden drawing doesn’t need to be elaborate; the goal is to create a practical and useful visual representation. Update the drawing each season to reflect changes and learn from your gardening experiences.

If you got this far, you’re dedicated. Let me know what you end up doing with the drawings. I’d love to see them and share with everyone.

Happy gardening!
Brandy