I use a spiral bound notebook, with a pen attached with a length of cord. The information is written in my own code/shorthand, along with planting maps of individual beds (garden is a collection of raised beds). The date goes left of the margin. I record any gardening activity I may wish to remember, what is planted where, rainfall, unusual weather trends, and nature observations of interest (e.g., "first Japanese beetles arrive.") I do a "note to self" section each year, which I keep on the last pages of the notebook. Here I record action points that I want to remember next season, e.g., grow more or less of this or that, this variety was terrible and that variety was spectacular, start the eggplants sooner, etc. I find it very helpful to distill these points out from the main narrative pages and record them separately as the season progresses and while I am thinking of them - then I have the "lessons" of that season compiled in a neat list, without having to wade through the main pages searching for them. In my experience my note taking is much more reliable and complete if the notebook is always in a special spot in the garden (once we start growing outside, of course). Currently that means my notebook lives in the glove box of my golf cart, since I always take the golf cart to the garden (being far from the house). In gardens past it has meant leaving it in a special spot in the garden shed, or in one garden with no building, installing a mailbox in the garden to keep the journal in.

Last night before being dragged off to bed by DH I looked at Sue's, Anita's, Eric's and Jeri's gardens. The pictures that were there were wonderful, but the really surprising thing was how it made me feel to "see" all the different roses (via the the listings) that each was growing. It was almost like walking through the garden. It was a really neat connection. Some were ones that I grow which made me want to email to see how they were doing! Plus there were many that I had never heard of that I want to look into further. This is really a wonderful asset that allows us to browse through photos and gardens whenever we want to. I never realized there were so many gardens on HMF. It's really fantastic. I'm looking forward to taking more tours tonight and maybe every night! Thanks, Anita, for being so nice. Sherry

Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

I recently got the Flowers software from Plantstep, I have been messing with computers since the 80's and this without a doubt is the one nicest programs I have ever bought at any price. Anyone should look at getting it whether you use it for crosses or not, as it has so many other features and is constantly updated FREE. I use it for all my plants and am in the process of loading pictures in which is very easy. The to do and diary features are handy as well. There are a lot of features I haven't even explored yet. I can't imagine trying to use Excel when there is something like this out there for 29.95 I have never been happier with a purchase EVER! And in case you wonder I am not affliated with it in any way,I just like to speak up when I find a Great product as it seems to be harder to do anymore.