It's pouring with rain today, so instead of walking through the garden, I'm walking through my garden journals. This is my favourite. It's called "Garden Dreams":
This is the title page. I started this journal in 2008.
It's the place to store all my future plans, wishes, ideas and inspirations. Some pages are coloured and pretty. These are usually the ones I wrote in the dead of winter, when I had more time for dreaming and less for actual gardening:
Others are plain and just have the information, not very neat or organised. These were scribbled after coming in from the garden for a cool drink, with dirt on my hands and ideas buzzing in my head:
The Thyme garden and the Mediterranean garden described above, on a page from 2009, are realities now, but there are plenty of other ideas that never made it off the page. Some never will, like the White Garden that I've decided is not for me. Others, like the tiny copse of three Silver Birches underplanted with Bluebells, are dreams that I hope will still come true.
Reading through this journal has reminded me of plans I had made and then forgotten, and also of desires that have been achieved. Finally, it's inspired me to pick up the pen and add some more hopes for the future. With the wind and the rain lashing the windows, and a mug of coffee steaming on the desk in front of me, I'm garden dreaming ...
Love, love, love your lists! I too am a prolific list maker (makes my kids roll their eyes), and some are elaborate plant databases on the computer and others are scribbles and loose notes. But neither my high tech nor penciled efforts match your delightfully colorful and creative notes.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to go over them and see what came to life and what was a silly idea even at the time! Enjoy your cup of coffee and your walk through the lists. It's raining up here too today.
Wow! What a great idea this is!! x
ReplyDeleteHow nice and organized! Want to trade some seeds? I see by your wish lists that you like bold colors. You've seen what I've got, go back and go shopping! I'll happily share :) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLyn, You're a constant inspiration to me. Not only did I go out and buy some nice pots this weekend (although for houseplants rather than outdoors), but I think this may inspire me to start a journal for garden ideas. I usually keep notes in a spreadsheet, and that is very good for reminding me of things I need to do, but it's not good for ideas that are in an earlier, dreamy stage. -Jean
ReplyDeleteLadyfern - thanks so much for the offer! Unfortunately, I don't think it would be legal for me to accept seeds from you. There are restrictions on any plant material coming into Australia because of diseases or pests that might hitch a ride. I know lots of people do it, but I'd hate to be responsible for introducing something that could have a bad impact on our native flora. Or sending something that could affect yours. If you were in Australia I'd jump at the chance to grow some of your lovely plants, believe me.
ReplyDeleteJean - what a lovely comment! I have lots of different ways of making notes about the garden and some are computerised, like you say, because that's efficient. But for others I like to keep real journals with actual pages that I can scribble in or paste things into. Sometimes I suspect that gardening is just an excuse for lots of stationery!