Every fall, I like to take the time to write down everything that went well and didn’t work in my garden. I call it “Garden Reflection”.
This is an exercise you definitely want to do! Instead of trying to remember everything until spring, the best time to do it is at the end of the year, when the gardening season is still fresh in your mind.
Make some hot chocolate, sit down, and take a few minutes to reflect on your gardening season. Next, grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing everything down. Here are some writing prompts you can use to get things moving.
What has worked well in your garden this year?
Start by writing down everything that went well in your garden this year, what you’re most proud of, and what makes you happy. In a nutshell, what is your biggest victory?
example
We had a good harvest of peas this year. The annuals I planted in the front flower bed looked great! Your pumpkins grew better on a trellis than in the ground. The compost you added has made a big difference in your summer vegetable garden.
Don’t skimp on the list. Write down all your wins, no matter how big or small. These are things I want to remember to do next year as well.
What went wrong?
Next, think about what went wrong in your garden this year, or what you wish could have gone better. In a nutshell, what was your biggest struggle?
example:
The potted plants dried out quickly and had to be watered twice a day. Your broccoli didn’t head. You were overwhelmed with so many cucumbers that you didn’t know what to do with them.
Be sure to write down all the challenges you’ve faced in your garden this year, even if they’re “good problems.” These are things I don’t want to do next year or things I want to improve on.
How can you improve your garden next year?
Now that you have a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly (aka: garden reflection), it’s time to make a list of changes or improvements. Here are some writing prompts.
What changes can you make to avoid the biggest problems you faced in your garden this year? Add all your ideas to the list, whether you still know how to make them come true or not Please. In other words, write down what your dream garden would look like.
example:
What can you do to make watering your potted plants easier? Can you add a drip irrigation system, reduce the number of plants in each pot, or simply use larger pots?
If you’re overwhelmed with cucumbers this summer, could the solution be as simple as a note to yourself to plant fewer seeds? Maybe you set a goal to learn how to grow cucumbers in the fall?
Why do you think your broccoli didn’t have any heads? Could you give it more space, better sunlight, or water it more consistently? Oh, and more It’s easy. You may want to not grow it next year and try something new in the area instead.
Write down anything that helps you remember based on your successes and any ideas you have for improvement to solve each problem on your list.
Your garden reflection is pure gold
This may feel like a silly exercise, but trust me, the garden reflections you write will be pure gold. In the spring, you can use this list to plan your gardening season. This way, you can build on your successes and avoid repeating big mistakes.
It’s also a good time to remember everything you’ve learned over the past year, how far you’ve come on your gardening journey, and celebrate all the big wins you’ve had so far.
Oh, and be sure to keep a list. Next year, you can use it to create your next garden reflection. It can also be used as a tool to track your year-to-year progress and see how you continue to improve each season.
Plus, it’s so fun to read previous years’ lists. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
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Leave a comment below and let me know: What was your biggest gardening victory this year, what was your biggest struggle, or what would your dream garden look like?
