Yes you could certainly buy a journal to use, but that’s not the point here, is it? By making your own, you can make it exactly how you want it—from the size, the type of paper, and so on—it is your very own creation. You can decorate the cover using objects from your garden; maybe some pressed leaves after you complete Lab 47?
MATERIALS
Garden magazines or plant and seed catalogs
Foam brush
Water-based sealant (Mod Podge works well)
1 tab file folder
15 sheets of 11" x 8 1/2" (28 x 22 cm) graph paper
Scratch awl
Tapestry needle
Ribbon
1. Rip out strips from the gardening magazines and plant catalogs. Use the foam brush to cover the strips of paper with the water-based sealant and stick them on the file folder, front and back. Let this dry overnight. (Fig. 1)
2. Fold the graph paper in half as shown. Cut the tab file folder so that it is just a bit bigger than the folded graph paper. (Fig. 2)
Fig. 2: Cut the file folder slightly larger than the graph paper.
3. Place the folded sheets of paper into the file folder. Use the awl to punch four holes through all of the sheets and the folder. (Fig. 3)
4. From the outside of the folder, use the tapestry needle to thread the ribbon through one of the holes, pushing it back out through the next one. Tie a knot. Do the same with the other two holes. (Fig. 4)
Who’s got a super cool journal now? You do. And the piece cut from the file folder becomes two super cool bookmarkers. You’re welcome.
DOCUMENT YOUR GARDEN HAPPENINGS
Your garden journal is going to be beautiful and so very creative. But its purpose is very important. Documenting what happens in your garden is important so you remember what you’ve done, what grew well, and especially in northern climes, what is planted underneath all of that snow! In addition to the date of each entry, include the following information in your journal:
• What you plant
• What you cut back
• What is growing well and not so well
• What bugs or other wildlife you see
• Ideas or changes you want to make
• New plants you find out about and might want to try growing
Including pictures in your journal is valuable, too. You can make a sketch or take a picture to remind you of what is blooming, where a bare spot might be next year, and so on.
DIG DEEPER!