Keeping organised in the garden

wild edges

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).

B3

I've got a box full of labels that came with the plants. That's about as far as my organisation goes.

Blue Onion

I second that B3.. only mine is a large pot on the garage shelf full of labels...

hogweed

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!

Lyn

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. 

Skandi

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!

Fire

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!

hogweed

Very impressive!

Fire

Thanks

pansyface

Crumbs, quite terrifyingly organised. May I ask, does it bear any resemblence to the real thing?

Here is an approximation of my notes on planting in the garden.

Joyce21

Many years ago I did a garden plan but it was soon out of date as I moved plants and revamped some areas.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.