Good gardening diary

[Alison]

I always prefer a simple pad and pencil for up the plot (like to leave behind all modern techie stuff) although do take photos from time to time. My main records are then a huge spreadsheet that records what I sowed etc and when and any notes that I want to remember. It's not perfect but the info I put on there is from the pad I've marked up on the plot. I like the spreadsheet as you can search it and put filters on, a blog is far too wordy for me (to be honest I get bored with them and have never read more than the odd paragraph before getting bored) but it does depend on what and how you intend to use the information.

[rosiepumpkin]

I have a simple notebook and publish photos to a Tumblr to keep records over a longer period.

[Kristen]

I always prefer a simple pad and pencil for up the plot

Seems that I never have a suitable pencil & pad available, but I do have my phone, so I tap the notes [when on the plot] into the phone. Benefit (or so it seems to me!) is that I can then Cut & Paste to spreadsheet when back at base. I cut & paste a list of all crops on the plot from Spreadsheet to Phone Notes, and then I can just record date/action against them (I'd be very slow typing on a phone if I had to type the whole variety name!) and cut & paste that back again when I next get to my desk.

I use the APP "Evernote" (because it auto-syncs between my Phone, PC and Laptop)

https://evernote.com/

[Noosner]

This has made me think about what I intend to do with the info once I've recorded it. Mainly, I think I'd like to be able to look back at dates of sowing, feeding, mulching and observations about weather, predators, weeds etc, to try and develop my knowledge. At the moment I'm quite haphazard and rely totally on memory and that makes it impossible to draw conclusions when things go right or wrong.

But a 2015 gardening diary, with tips and pics, appeals - so that gardening is coming with me everywhere I go. A leap to a really detailed record, might be like trying to run before I can walk.

Will continue to mull it over. I did find the perfect thing online. It was in French, but I thought that might be a plus, as giving me a chance to refresh my French comprehension. But the postage cost more than the diary, and that really put me off.

[veggiechicken]

I used to use a 5 Year diary with short notes each day about weather, sowing/picking etc. Useful to look back over 5 years and see the similarities. Note the "Used to" bit as every year ran out of entries round about April.
Another way I tried was with a loose leaf binder. The theory was that I'd file the days I'd written up - and wouldn't feel guilty if I had done nothing!! Also, that I could store pages for various years as reminders. That worked for a few months too.
Another tactic I've tried - which still works - was to buy one of those "Birthday books" that is like a diary but doesn't show the days of the week, just the dates. I wrote in that jobs to be done throughout the year - info that I took from books I trusted or advice from locals or on here. I can pick up the book at any time and see what I should be doing each week - when I can find the book
You need to find a system that works for you. Don't make it too complex or you'll give up - believe me, I do every year

[Noosner]

That sounds good, VC. I can so identify with good intentions that somehow get taken over by 'life'! It's one of my problems with gardening in general, especially at the allotment. I always resolve to feed the veggies down there regularly over summer, but because water is a bit of a problem on the plot, I rarely manage it. Whereas I tend to almost overdo it in the garden, because it's so easy, being just outside the back door and in reach of a tap, and can be done while I drink my first cup of tea of the day, to boot!

[Alison]

Seems that I never have a suitable pencil & pad available, but I do have my phone, so I tap the notes [when on the plot] into the phone. Benefit (or so it seems to me!) is that I can then Cut & Paste to spreadsheet when back at base. I cut & paste a list of all crops on the plot from Spreadsheet to Phone Notes, and then I can just record date/action against them (I'd be very slow typing on a phone if I had to type the whole variety name!) and cut & paste that back again when I next get to my desk.

I use the APP "Evernote" (because it auto-syncs between my Phone, PC and Laptop)

https://evernote.com/

In theory the idea of being able to copy and paste would be great but I find it very time consuming to type on my phone (and with predictive text, heaven only knows what I'd end up writing!) and I'd worry about getting it mucky as I usually have pretty mucky hands by the time I've been up to the plot all day. However the big reason for me for keeping it off the electronic front is that I use gardening to help my mental health and one of the biggest stresses that has made me ill before is the pressures of being in demand all the time via mobile technology. If I start using my phone for things then I just check my e-mail and then start that never ending cycle of stress, I really find it hard not go get dragged into it and so make sure I'm separated from the ability quite a bit at weekends / evenings. I've found that the best thing for me is the peace and quiet of the plot doing things in the same way my grandad used to do. Plus I'm quite particular about how I want to record things and nobody else does it quite like I do so apps never quite work for me

[Kristen]

In theory the idea of being able to copy and paste would be great but I find it very time consuming to type on my phone (and with predictive text, heaven only knows what I'd end up writing!) and I'd worry about getting it mucky as I usually have pretty mucky hands by the time I've been up to the plot all day.

Yup I have those issues, but on balance I find the Cut & Paste opportunity wins out. If my Mobile Phone had a full sized keyboard, and a little desk, I'd be a lot better off though!

If I start using my phone for things then I just check my e-mail and then start that never ending cycle of stress, I really find it hard not go get dragged into it and so make sure I'm separated from the ability quite a bit at weekends / evenings.

I have a solution for that I don't have email on my phone, and none of my clients have my mobile number. If I am needed the office can get in touch with me ...

... otherwise every client we have ever had would think it was perfectly acceptable to call my mobile Willy Nilly ! Never understood why people give out their mobile number to clients ... particularly if they don't have a specific work mobile, i.e. they are giving out the number of the phone they will be taking on holiday.

[Alison]

I have a solution for that I don't have email on my phone, and none of my clients have my mobile number. If I am needed the office can get in touch with me ...

... otherwise every client we have ever had would think it was perfectly acceptable to call my mobile Willy Nilly ! Never understood why people give out their mobile number to clients ... particularly if they don't have a specific work mobile, i.e. they are giving out the number of the phone they will be taking on holiday.

I do have separate phones for work and home so turn my work one off when I'm not on duty but am so used to being in constant connection that I find all phones can be stressful even when it's personal emails. Not sure I've explained it well but I find areas of the country with no reception to be wonderful havens as there can be no beeping and interruptions and I don't have to rely on my will power not to look. Sad I know but a break of even a few hours sets me up for the next onslaught

[Kristen]

Yes, I did understand, and feel for you. I'm lucky that I am in the country and it is tranquil around here Plenty of noises and smells that outrage "Townies" though!

[Scarlet]

Plenty of noises and smells that outrage "Townies" though!

that's so true! My friends from London came to visit on a weekend when they were muck spreading on the fields behind me - they were disgusted and didn't stop moaning about it.

[veggiechicken]

Is this the stuff of nightmares? - Two phones As Scarlet will confirm, I never let mobile phones interrupt my peace..........

[Kristen]

Is this the stuff of nightmares? - Two phones

That's the solution though, isn't it?

One for all the work stuff that should not be allowed to intrude into quality time, and the other for just those few people that are allowed to know it, with the work phone being left in a drawer during "quality time" ...

[Guest]

What is strange is that there are lots of 'used' copies on Amazon for 1p. I might go for one of those - assuming 'used' just means it has been previously read.

Just received my 1p diary and it is mint with just an inscription to the front. From world of books via amazon. I am not convinced how much I will use it hence the 'used' option. Hope this helps

[Noosner]

Just received my 1p diary and it is mint with just an inscription to the front. From world of books via amazon. I am not convinced how much I will use it hence the 'used' option. Hope this helps

Thank you NG. it does help!