Use a journal to document soil conditions, plant growth and yield patterns.

Sept. 12, 1915, was the date in the spiral bound notebook found in our home, purchased in 1972 and constructed in 1906.

“Today we planted a pine tree in the front lawn.”

Journal in hand, I walked to the front porch and gazed at the 140-foot pine tree in the front lawn towering over our house. The journal became a historical perspective of landscaping undertaken by the original homeowners 57 years in the past.

Journals provide insight into projects, from idea to completion. Journals can be therapeutic when reflecting on its contents or for thinking a problem through to its solution.

Gardeners keep journals to understand successes and failures with their vegetable gardens, shrubs, perennials, landscapes and other activities. The written word jogs our memories and helps us make wiser choices when starting a new gardening season. Instead of guessing the number and variety of basil plants you purchased in 2020, refer to your garden journal for the answer.

Make your journal the road map of your 2021 gardening season, as well as your wish list of plants, projects or landscapes you want to create.

Journals can be handwritten in notebooks and stored in an accessible area where you can easily make entries.

Electronic journaling is another option. Electronic entries automatically are dated and can be quickly indexed, searched and cross-referenced. Software programs with word and spreadsheet capabilities are useful, as are apps and software for garden design. Photographs downloaded from websites or captured with your smart phone can be saved for future reference.

Start this year’s journal with a drawing or photo of your garden or landscape. Include results of soil tests, as well as the type and frequency of soil amendments. Note seed varieties and their germination rates. Keep or photograph the tags from perennials, shrubs and trees purchased this year, along with their receipts.

Document pests or diseases and the effectiveness of treatment. At harvest time, calculate the vegetable yields.

Store handwritten journals where you can refer to them in the future. Back up electronic journals periodically to prevent loss of data.

Whether you use a handwritten notebook or an electronic spreadsheet, a journal captures the journey of your gardening endeavors that is useful and interesting. Your gardening journal is a legacy of your landscaping choices and practices.

I studied the roots of the grand pine tree that had buckled and damaged the concrete sidewalk. I considered potential damage to our house, children and others should the tree fall or be uprooted. On Sept. 12, 1972, I made the final entry to the journal: “The evergreen in the front lawn is a hazard and needs to be removed.”

If you have questions about keeping garden journals or general gardening practices, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.

Michael D. Pavelek II is a Butler County Master Gardener.