
Log books are the backbone of a flourishing garden. Most of gardening involves trial and error. The log book is the means of making lemons from lemonade. When things go very badly, redeem the time by writing it down. Next year, as you plan out your garden again, you will have a rich resource at your fingertips. We divide our Log Book into five sections:
Map
In this section, draw a map, number the beds, and indicate what will be growing in each bed. Consult the previous two years’ log books when creating the map so that no plant family (see list below) repeats itself in the same bed. When you indicate location in other parts of the log book, just refer to the bed number.
Crop
The purpose of this section is to record all the actions you perform that affect your plants. Use the Crop Codes to denote the action taken. Label the heading like this:
Date | Location | Variety | Action |
Example:
Date | Location | Variety | Action |
10/12 | Bed 1 | Pigeon F1 | Spinach DS |
Soil
When you till the soil, turn under a crop, amend the soil, or add compost, record the action. Record approx. amounts of amendments and compost added.
Date | Location | Action | Amount |
10/12 | Bed 1 | TL | Bed 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Pest
When pests or disease symptoms are noticed, try to identify the pest or disease. Record what action is taken.
Date | Crop | Pest/Symptom | Action |
10/12 | Tomato | Tomato Hornworm | HP |
Notes
In this section, take notes on whether weeding, watering, trellising, and harvesting are happening. Make note if a system is working particularly well or if there are any problems.
Crop Codes
Code | Description |
TP | Transplant |
DS | Direct Seed |
RS | Row Seed |
BC | Broadcast |
TH | Thin |
DV | Divide |
PR | Prune |
ST | Stake |
RC | Install Row Cover |
MU | Mulch |
RM | Remove Soil |
Soil Codes
Code | Description |
TL | Till/Turn Under |
AM | Amend (Revita, Lime, Greensand, Phosphate) |
CO | Spread Compost |
Pest Codes
Code | Description |
HP | Hand Pick |
AP | Application (Blood Meal, Pesticidal Soap, Diatomaceous) |
RM | Remove |
Download a printable PDF: Log Book