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Keeping organised in the garden

wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
in The potting shed
I see a lot of threads from people asking for plant IDs as they've forgotten what they bought or what they planted. I thought it might be helpful to have a discussion about how people keep organised and keep track of this sort of thing.

My memory is terrible so whenever I buy a plant I take a photo of it next to the ID tag and another next to the care instructions. I keep all these together in a file on the computer so I can easily refer back to them. I can also add notes to the file name such as see X book page Y or whatever to give me more care instructions. I keep the file backed up so I don't lose anything if the computer dies (again).


If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I've got a box full of labels that came with the plants. That's about as far as my organisation goes.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    edited May 2018
    I second that B3.. only mine is a large pot on the garage shelf full of labels...
    Utah, USA.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I've got label everywhere - in the greenhouse, in the g/h bin, in empty plant pots, in pockets etc etc. I used to be organised but no more. Taking a photo next to the label is an excellent idea!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I am not at all organised like that, I hardly buy any plants , mine are what I’ve swapped or broken bits of other peoples.  I write labels for most at the time, but by the end of winter they’re usually blank, ink’s gone!
    I do keep the Clematis labels, but in the drawer, with writing of where they’re planted. 
    I only buy form Morrison, £1,79 and they come with a nice big card label. Can’t lose those😀

    There’s always Internet to identify. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    The only things I have taken any care over are the fruit trees, I drew a little plan with what type they were.. I think I have probably lost the plan however!

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    From this year I have been keeping a full plant list, organised by bed. I also have been doing mapping to help me plan and keep track. The plant advent calender!



  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Very impressive!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Thanks
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Many years ago I did a garden plan but it was soon out of date as I moved plants and revamped some areas. I keep labels of new plants unless they are common ones.
    SW Scotland
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Yes, it's pretty much like that.
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