Gardening is not just about growing plants; it’s also about growing ourselves. Keeping a garden journal can help you connect with nature by documenting gardening activities, observations, and reflections. Garden journaling can foster mindfulness, promote personal growth, and enhance the overall gardening experience.
WHAT IS GARDEN JOURNALING?
Garden journaling involves recording details about your gardening activities, including planting dates, weather conditions, plant growth, pest issues, and successes or challenges. A well-maintained garden journal serves as both a practical resource and a creative outlet. By capturing these details, gardeners create a personalized database that aids in planning future gardening endeavors and troubleshooting problems. Tracking your garden over time is not only helpful, but fun!
WELLNESS BENEFITS OF GARDENING
The wellness benefits of gardening are well-documented, ranging from physical activity to mental health improvements. Research has shown that gardening can lower stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function. Engaging in garden journaling amplifies these benefits by introducing elements of mindfulness and reflection. The process of writing about your gardening experiences encourages you to slow down, connect with nature, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, is a cornerstone of mental well-being. Garden journaling inherently fosters mindfulness by prompting gardeners to document the subtle changes in their plants and surroundings.
Garden journaling is also a space for creativity. Gardeners can sketch plant layouts, design seasonal plans, and record innovative solutions to challenges such as pest management or soil amendments.
A garden journal can also be a tool for connecting with others. Sharing journal insights with local gardening groups or online forums fosters a sense of community and allows gardeners to exchange tips and experiences.
TIPS FOR STARTING A GARDEN JOURNAL
• SELECT A JOURNAL: Whether a traditional notebook or a journal specifically designed for gardens (the “Your Central Florida Yard: a 12 Month Garden Guide and Journal “is a great one to start with), whatever works best for you and your budget is perfect. If you want to incorporate your journal into your garden routine, consider putting it in a plastic bag or sleeve and keep it with your gardening tools so it’s always close by.
• ESTABLISH A ROUTINE: Dedicate time to journal regularly. After your “garden work session” relax in a shady spot with a glass of water and your garden journal. Take this time to rest and reflect.
• INCLUDE KEY DETAILS: Record planting dates, weather observations, pest occurrences, and harvest yields. Jot down insects you see, such as butterflies and what plants they visit. If you have wildflowers that are dormant in the winter, keep track of where they are planted so you can watch as they emerge when the weather warms up. This information is so helpful from year to year!
• INCORPORATE CREATIVITY: Add sketches, photos, or pressed leaves to personalize your journal.
• REFLECT ON WELLNESS: Take note of how gardening makes you feel. This journal is for you, so nothing is off limits!
Garden journaling is more than a tool for tracking horticultural success—it is a practice that can enrich your connection to nature. By merging the science of gardening with the art of selfreflection, garden journaling cultivates a deeper appreciation for nature and a heightened sense of personal well-being. As research continues to affirm the multifaceted benefits of gardening, incorporating journaling into your routine may be the next step in nurturing both your garden and yourself.
For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. If you are interested in purchasing a garden journal, contact the Plant Clinic.
If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.
To learn more about gardening and landscaping in central Florida, listen to the Your Central Florida Yard podcast. You can find the podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard. The January episode is a great listen for anyone interested in learning more about garden journaling. Find the episode here: bit.ly/4hzCrth.
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Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. Please contact her at anneanne@ufl.edu.
