1. Preserving Food

Preserving food is a necessary homesteading skill. While your produce may be fresh during the summer months, preserving food can help you save money and stay healthy during the winter months.

There are many different preservation methods available to homesteaders, including freezing, freeze drying, pickling, dehydrating, or canning. Depending on what type of food you are looking to preserve (and how much work you want to do), you might find that one method is easier than another.

For example, if you want to can chicken and green beans, it’s important to invest in a high-quality pressure canner that meets safety standards. On the other hand, if you are looking for a simple sugar-free way to preserve strawberries or blueberries over the long term, freezing is likely the best option.

Ultimately, preserving food can help you reduce your grocery bill and stay healthy throughout the year – it just takes a bit of planning, organization, and patience.

2. Bread Making

Nothing tastes as good as freshly baked bread, and it is a skill that anyone can learn with a little practice. Baking your own bread comes with many nutritional benefits. One of the biggest benefits, much like gardening, is you are giving yourself control over what you eat. Many commercial bakeries use chemicals and preservatives that can be potentially harmful to your health. You also eliminate the worry about pesticides when baking your own bread.

Making your own bread is also a cheap alternative to eating out or buying prepared foods from the grocery store. Making your own bread costs just pennies compared with buying loaf after loaf at the supermarket. As long as you have flour, yeast, and water, you can make fresh loaves every day using minimal ingredients and effort.

When learning how to bake artisanal-style sourdough bread, it’s important to note that you should use local flour. You’ll be eliminating the risk of cross-contamination from other flours or grains by using your own regional ingredients.

3. Foraging

Foraging is the act of searching for food in the wild and is a great/free way to supplement your pantry. This skill was once essential for survival, and it can still be useful today. Many grocery stores and farmers’ markets sell wild plants, but they can be expensive. Foraging involves more than just picking random berries or leafy greens off the side of the road. It requires a certain level of expertise to know which plants are edible and how to prepare them for consumption.

Wildcrafting is another form of foraging that entails finding, harvesting, and using edible wild species. This form of foraging is not only useful in a survival situation but also beneficial when looking to add some new flavors to your cooking repertoire. Many chefs around the world use various wild species in their dishes to create unique flavors.

It’s important to take time cultivating knowledge about which plants are potentially toxic and what precautions need to be taken when foraging. For example, you should avoid eating mushrooms unless you are absolutely sure about their identification. While foraging can be a fun and exciting hobby, it’s important that you always take safety precautions to ensure your personal health and well-being.

4. Fishing

Fishing is another old-fashioned homesteading skill that can be useful today. Whether you are fishing for sport or as a means of adding to your family’s food supply, it can be an enjoyable pursuit that requires very little equipment and can be done almost anywhere.

One of the main benefits of fishing is that it provides you with access to fresh, healthy protein. Many commercial fish farms rely on antibiotics or other chemicals that can have negative effects on your health. When comparing farmed fish to wild fish, in many cases, wild fish contain higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fishing can also save you money in the long run. If you have access to a body of water, a fishing pole, and bait, it is a relatively inexpensive way to supplement your pantry. In addition, there are many budget-friendly online platforms where you can find quality used rods and reels at great prices. If you live near a body of water (or have your own), learning how to fish is a great way to become more self-sufficient.

5. Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the care and management of animals, which in the case of homesteading, includes chickens, cows, rabbits, quail, sheep, and goats. There are many benefits to raising animals on your property, including access to fresh and nutritious meat, eggs, and milk.

Animal husbandry can require a great deal of time and effort, but it can also be a very rewarding activity. If you have any experience on a homestead, you know many veterinarians are not able to make house calls for large herd animals, and, in many cases, animals such as chickens are considered “exotic” and cannot be serviced at all. Learning how to take care of minor wounds and illnesses can save you the hassle of loading up an animal while also reducing your livestock bills.

If you’re serious about becoming self-sufficient by practicing animal husbandry, it’s important to build relationships with local farmers and ranchers who can provide guidance along the way. Additionally, you will need to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies for your animals. While animal husbandry can be a time-consuming activity, it is well worth the effort if you are looking to become more independent and self-sufficient.

6. Beekeeping

Beekeeping is another old-fashioned homesteading skill that is especially useful today. Bees are incredibly useful creatures, as they pollinate many types of plants and vegetables, leading to higher crop yields.

When it comes to beekeeping, there are a few important considerations. First, you should make sure that your property is the right environment for bees – this includes having adequate space for hives and enough sun exposure. Secondly, if you are interested in harvesting honey from your hives, it’s important to understand how much work goes into extraction – leaving some extra honey behind ensures that your bees have access to food during the colder months when flowers aren’t blooming as frequently.

Beekeeping can be a great way to supplement your grocery budget while also benefiting from quality crops produced by your bees. If you are interested in learning more about beekeeping, there are a number of resources available online, including books and instructional videos. With the right equipment, knowledge, and patience, beekeeping can be an easy way to become more self-sufficient and independent.

7. Gardening

Gardening is not only an essential skill when homesteading, but it is a great way to become more self-sufficient. Not only will you be able to grow your own food, but you’ll also save money on groceries. There is a lot more to gardening than simply planting some seeds and letting them grow. You should learn about different techniques, such as the back to Eden method, companion planting, succession sowing, and crop rotation.

Growing your own food eliminates the need to ingest harmful chemicals that can be found in many pre-packaged store-bought meals. While they may serve the purpose of preserving your food long enough for it to get to you, many of these chemicals can be potentially harmful to your health. Bisphenol A and phthalates are two chemicals that are commonly found in foods and food packaging. They’ve been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental problems.

Another advantage to gardening is that you can make it fit into your budget. Whether you have money to blow or less than $100 to spare, there are many ways to get started with gardening. Keeping a garden doesn’t have to break the bank. If you find that growing your own food is too expensive for your budget, try starting smaller. You can optimize how much space and money you put into gardening by growing crops that yield more such as potatoes, tomatoes, or squash.

8. Soap Making

Soap making is a useful homesteading skill that can save you money and provide you with natural, healthy soap products. While soap-making can seem like a daunting task, there are many simple tutorials available online that make the process accessible to any homesteader.

One key consideration when it comes to soap making is which oils you want to use in your recipe – olive oil or coconut oil are both popular options. While olive oil is thought to be gentler on skin and better for dry skin, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and can help kill bacteria. Ultimately, the choice depends on what type of soap you’re looking for – whether it’s for cleaning dishes, your hands, or the body.

Over time, you may find that your homemade soap lasts longer than store-bought options and provides a better experience overall.

9. Herbalism

Herbalism is another useful homesteading skill for anyone interested in staying healthy and self-sufficient. There are many herbs that can be grown at home, including popular options like lavender, roselle, lemon balm, and mint. These herbs can aid in everything from managing stress and anxiety to improving digestion.

Once you have started growing your own herbs, the next step is learning how to use them effectively. Many herbal remedies can be made simply by combining dried or fresh herbs with water, oil, or honey. If you want to make more complex herbal remedies, it’s important to learn about different extraction methods and what types of ailments each remedy can treat.

With some research and experimentation, you may find that herbalism is a great way to stay healthy without relying on doctor’s visits or expensive prescription medications.

10. Building

Last but certainly not least, every homesteader should have at least a basic understanding of building techniques and materials. Whether you want to build a deck or start constructing your own barn, having the right tools and knowledge is essential for success.

To get started on your building journey, it’s important to invest in the right tools – including hammers, nails, levels, saws, and jigsaws – as well as safety equipment like goggles and work gloves. You should also explore different materials that could be used in your projects – from wood and metal to plastic and glass.

Once you have gathered all of your materials and supplies, take some time to learn about basic building techniques – things like framing structures or working with concrete. With a bit of practice and dedication, you will soon find yourself developing new skills that can help you create your own homestead.

Learning Old-fashioned Homesteading Skills

Whether you are looking to become more self-sufficient or simply want to learn something new, there are many old-fashioned homesteading skills to study. From preserving food and practicing herbalism to building your own structures, these skills will allow you to take control of your life and live a healthier, more satisfying life.

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Using Chickens for Pest Control

One of the main ways chickens can help is by controlling pests in your garden. Chickens love to eat bugs and other crawly critters, including many that can damage or destroy your plants. If you are having issues with heavy pest infestation, placing chickens around the perimeter of your garden can help lessen the damage that they can do.

Chickens enjoy a variety of garden pests including slugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, worms, and beetle larvae. They especially enjoy eating the larvae of mosquitoes, which can help to reduce the mosquito population in your area. Chickens will also eat spiders, ants, and other insects that can damage the young, tender vegetables in your garden. If you have a problem with garden pests, chickens can help take care of that.

One way to utilize chickens is to let them have free range of your garden beds in the fall and/or winter. They do an excellent job of finding larvae and eating any bugs that remain in your garden beds.

For help during your planting season, simply create a run around the perimeter of your garden. While this won’t eradicate your bug population, it will lessen the damage to your vegetables.

Chickens and Composting

Chickens are, hands-down, the best composters. They scratch around in the dirt, turning over the soil and mixing in organic matter from their droppings. This helps create a richer compost that can be used in your in-ground garden or raised beds. In addition, chicken manure is an excellent source of nutrients for your plants. When used as fertilizer, it can help increase the yields of many different types of vegetables.

The easiest way to have your chickens work for you is to physically put them in with your compost. Years ago, we started a pile in our yard and added grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, and old, depleted soil. Instead of turning over these materials ourselves, our chickens scratch and dig through the pile, mixing it in and making a rich, dark, compost.

Chicken Waste as Fertilizer

Another way chickens can help your garden is by providing fertilizer for your plants. Chickens produce nitrogen-rich manure that makes excellent plant food. Their droppings will help to fertilize your soil, making it more diverse as well as productive.

One thing to note is that chicken manure is considered a “hot” compost. To put it simply, chicken waste will burn your plants if it goes directly into your garden.  Chicken waste is naturally high in nitrogen. While this is great if you have nitrogen-deficient soil, it may cause young seedlings to wither and die as it “burns” them.

Chicken compost works best if it is aged for, at minimum, four months. Six is optimal. Adding in wood shavings can help with odor while allowing your compost to decompose more quickly. A popular coop maintenance method, known as the “deep litter method,” is an easy way to ensure that your coop is clean, your chickens are healthy, and that you can use your chicken waste safely.

Using Chickens to Weed the Garden

Another way chickens can help control pests is by eating the weeds that grow in your garden. Chickens will eat just about anything, including the leaves and stems of weeds. This can help keep your garden weed-free, making it easier for you to grow the plants you want.

Chickens particularly enjoy nettles, purslane, clover, plantain, and dandelions.

Since they love to eat, well, pretty much anything, they can help to reduce the amount of weeding that you must do. Since they ingest the plant as well as the seeds, they can help cut down on weeds in seasons to come. In addition, as they scratch around in the dirt, they loosen the soil and make it easier for you to pull up any remaining or stubborn plants that you don’t want in your garden

Do keep in mind that giving chickens free range of your beds is something you want to do before planting your garden. Chickens do not discriminate, and any plant is fair game. Letting your chickens roam your garden in either early spring or late fall is the best way to put them to work.

Chickens and Aerating Soil

If you let your chickens free-range, you may have noticed that the soil in and by their run is often light and fluffy. One last way chickens can be helpful in the garden is by aerating your soil. As they scratch around looking for bugs, they loosen up the compacted dirt and allow air and water to penetrate more easily. This helps improve drainage, mixes various layers of soil, and can help prevent root rot. It also makes it easier for you to till your garden in the spring.

Other Ways Chickens Can Help in Your Garden

While not a traditional tool, eggs are a chicken by-product that is handy to use in your garden. If your soil is deficient in calcium, ground eggshells are a simple amendment that is easy and free to use. To prepare, bake eggshells at approximately 250 degrees for sixty minutes. Baking will dry them out and ensure that they will not grow mold. Additionally, it makes crushing them much more manageable. Add to your soil before planting and use as needed throughout the gardening season.

Chickens in the Garden

Chickens are an asset to your homestead and to your garden. Not only do they provide eggs and meat, but they also pull double-duty by being garden helpers. Chickens love to eat bugs, making them natural pest control. They will also help aerate the soil and distribute nutrients as they scratch around looking for food. In addition, their manure is an excellent source of fertilizer, providing essential nutrients that will help your garden grow. So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your garden’s productivity, consider adding some chickens to the mix. You’ll be glad you did!

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The Health Benefits of Cooking From Scratch 

When you cook from scratch, you have more control over the kind of food that you are feeding your family. While this may not seem like it needs to be a priority NOW, many of the health problems we come across today are caused by our food quality and our diets. Many store-bought foods that we consume, along with their packaging, can contain damaging chemicals such as phthalates, trans fats, sodium nitrate, aspartame, and Bisphenol A.  By cooking from scratch, you can be sure that your food is chemical-free. This leads to better overall health, as well as a reduced risk of developing conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Cooking whole foods and using ingredients that you have grown or sourced yourself typically means that your ingredients have maintained their integrity. Fresh foods often have more vitamins and minerals than ingredients bought in stores. A good example of this is bread. Store-bought bread often contains preservatives and additives to keep it fresh for longer. You may notice a loaf bought from Wal-Mart doesn’t mold, even though you’ve had it out for three weeks. A loaf you make at home may mold within a few days. The loaf you bought from Wal-Mart isn’t better. Rather, it has been treated with preservatives to make it last longer.

Many foods that are offered at popular chains, such as Aldi and Publix, have their vegetables shipped in from several states away. These foods are often treated with chemicals or waxes to preserve their shelf life and maintain the color of their produce. When you cook from scratch, you know that your food is as fresh as possible, giving you the best nutritional benefits possible. Not only does this make your meals healthier for yourself and your family, but it also reduces the risk of weight gain or obesity.

Additionally, you have the option of choosing healthier cooking methods, such as baking or steaming. You can also avoid adding unnecessary sodium, fats, and preservatives to your food by making your own sauces, dressings, and marinades. And, because you are preparing your own meals at home, you don’t need to wonder about what kinds of additives might be in the pre-packaged foods that you consume on a regular basis.

Saving Money by Cooking From Scratch 

If you are working from a tight budget or looking for ways to save, cooking from scratch gives you the flexibility to be creative. When you cook meals at home, rather than buying pre-packaged foods or eating out every night, you save money on groceries while also reducing food waste by only purchasing or growing what you need.

Many pre-packaged foods contain an added level of convenience, such as premade salads or pre-cut vegetables. But this convenience comes at a cost, with many meals from popular chains costing upwards of $20. By cooking your own meals, you can reduce your grocery bill and have more control over the ingredients that are included in each dish. This allows you to stock up on pantry staples when they go on sale rather than being tied to expensive items that may need to be replaced every few days or weeks.

When you cook from scratch, it also gives you complete control over portion sizes for yourself and your family. You can choose how much protein is included in each meal and avoid loading up on extra carbs and fats. This can help you to make healthier choices and maintain a better weight while also saving money on groceries each month.

Finally, cooking from scratch can also be a great way to save money when working from a tight budget. If you grow your own fruits and vegetables or raise your own animals for meat, eggs, or dairy products, then you’ll be able to save even more money on your grocery bill each month.

The Emotional Benefits of Cooking From Scratch 

Cooking from scratch can also be a very emotionally fulfilling experience. There’s something satisfying about taking raw ingredients and turning them into a finished product. This is especially true if you grow your own fruits and vegetables or raise your own chickens for eggs. When you cook with ingredients that you have grown or raised yourself, you’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that is hard to match.

Cooking from scratch also provides emotional benefits that are often overlooked. In today’s busy world, it can be easy to feel disconnected from loved ones. After all, when we’re separated by our work and day-to-day activities for long periods of time, it’s sometimes hard to find common ground with the people around us. By cooking from scratch, however, you are forced to do something together as a family unit. Whether it’s deciding what meals to make, shopping for ingredients, or even simply cleaning up after the meal, you are engaging in a shared activity that promotes positive family interaction.

In addition, scratch cooking gives you a chance to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to take time for ourselves. But when we take the time to cook a meal from scratch, we can relax and enjoy the process without worrying about the deadlines we have to meet or the emails we need to respond to.

The Overall Benefits of Cooking From Scratch

Cooking from scratch offers many benefits over buying pre-packaged or prepared foods at the grocery store or eating out. Making your own meals allows you to control what ingredients are included in your food, reducing the risk of developing health problems later in life. It also gives you more flexibility to choose healthier cooking methods and save on groceries by using sale items and stocking up on pantry staples when they are available. Most importantly, it gives us a way to connect with our family. Overall, cooking from scratch is a great way to improve your well-being and take control of your diet for better health.

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Compost biodegradable materials to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. 

Composting biodegradable materials to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden is a great way to create sustainability. Composting is simply the process of breaking down organic matter into a form that can be used as fertilizer. There are plenty of ways to do it, from simple backyard bins to large-scale commercial operations.

But why bother composting in the first place? For one thing, it’s a great way to reduce your waste output. Instead of sending yard waste and food scraps to the landfill, you can recycle them. This not only saves resources but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Besides that, it results in nutrient-rich soil, which can improve the health of your plants and help you save money on expensive fertilizers.

So if you’re looking for ways to green up your homestead, composting is a great place to start. It’s easy, efficient, and beneficial for the environment.

Raise chickens for eggs and meat. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your homestead more sustainable, raising chickens for eggs and meat is the way to go. This is a great way to get organic, hormone-free food at a fraction of the price you’d pay for a commercially raised product. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re raising healthy animals in kind and humane conditions.

Chickens have the benefit of being relatively easy to care for, and they provide a valuable source of protein and other nutrients. While feed costs have risen along with grocery costs, there are ways to reduce your bill by implementing approaches such as fermentation and using your own table/garden scraps.

In addition, the manure from chickens can be used as fertilizer for your garden. While it does have to age, poultry manure is an excellent way to add nutrients back into the soil. So not only will you be getting fresh eggs and meat, but you could also be potentially helping your garden to thrive.

Use rainwater to water your plants and garden. 

One of the easiest ways to make your homestead more sustainable is to use rainwater to water your garden. This free resource is abundant in many parts of the country, and it can help you save money on your water bill.

There are a few different ways to collect rainwater, such as using a rain barrel or installing a rainwater catchment system. The only catch: it is illegal in some states. There are resources you can check (such as this website) that can tell you if it is legal or restricted.

Once you’ve collected the water, you can store it to use until you need it. By using rainwater to water your plants, you can reduce your reliance on treated water and help to conserve this valuable resource.

Additionally, you can also use a rainwater catchment system to water your animals. Not only will this eradicate one of the many costs of animal ownership, but it also lessens your workload on the homestead.

Plant a garden.

The modern homestead is a little different than it used to be. Mere decades ago, most people relied on their gardens for much of their food. Now, the opposite is true. While grocery stores are full of cheap and convenient options, rising food costs and shortages have made many people question their reliability.

If you’re looking for ways to make your homestead more sustainable, look no further than your own backyard… or front yard or patio. Planting a garden is a great way to reduce your reliance on grocery stores and get fresh produce to eat. You don’t need much space to get started; even a few pots on a sunny windowsill can yield a bounty of fresh herbs or vegetables. And if you want to go all out, you can start planning for next year’s vegetable garden now. Just think: in a few short months, you could be eating produce that you grew yourself.

Buy used furniture and appliances instead of new ones. 

One of the best ways to make your homestead more sustainable is to buy used furniture and appliances instead of new ones. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. There are a few ways to find used furniture and appliances:

• Check out garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. You never know what treasures you’ll find!
• Look for classified ads or marketplaces dedicated to selling used goods.
• Check with family and friends to see if they have any gently used items that they no longer need or want.

When it comes to sustainability, every little bit counts. So next time you need a new couch or refrigerator, consider giving a secondhand item a new home.

Install solar panels or invest in solar lights to generate your own electricity. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your homestead more sustainable, installing solar panels is a great place to start. Solar panels generate electricity from the sun and can provide power for everything from lights to appliances. Moreover, solar panels can save you money on your energy bill over time. While the initial cost of installing solar panels may be high, the long-term savings will more than compensate for it. If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint and saving money, solar panels are a great option.

Can’t invest in something so pricey at the moment? Use solar lights instead of electric (you can find cheap ones at the dollar store or even Amazon).  We place them by our coops and garden to make night chores easier.

Making your homestead more sustainable can be easy. In addition to the tips discussed above, you can also recycle, create natural cleaning products, or focus on using green building materials when assembling your infrastructure. Whatever route you choose, there are numerous ways to cut costs and make your homestead a more sustainable place.

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If you’re a gardener, you know that no season is the same, and each one brings new challenges as well as opportunities. Keeping a garden journal is an easy way to keep track of your successes and failures.

Here are some of the primary reasons you should start keeping a garden journal to make sure your season is successful.

Keep track of what plants you’ve sown.

Have you ever been outside weeding, only to realize that you’ve actually pulled up one of your transplants? If you garden, chances are good that this has happened to you at least once. Even the most experienced gardeners can have a difficult time keeping track of what they’ve planted and where they’ve put things. One way to avoid this problem is to keep a garden journal. Not only can you map out each garden bed, but keeping a garden journal can give you a visual that makes crop rotation, companion planting, and even a square-foot garden that much easier to plan.

Make notes in your garden journal of when your plants bloom.

By notating when certain plants start blooming, you can get an idea of when to expect fruit in future seasons. In turn, you can use this to help you create a planting schedule. While it is necessary to know what zone you’re in to keep track of your season length and frost dates, a journal can help you identify any weather patterns in your area and how your garden may react.

If it’s too hot, your tomatoes may struggle to blossom. If it’s too cold, pollinators may be scarce, and your squash won’t get fertilized. A garden journal can be a tool you use to track which plants are blooming at the same time or which ones may be stressed. This is especially important if you are looking to use succession planting as you will not want all of your harvest to come in simultaneously.

Keep track of what pests or diseases affect your vegetation.

As any gardener knows, pests and diseases can quickly damage or destroy both young and mature plants alike. Whether it’s aphids infesting your peppers, wilt damaging your squash, or hornworms eating your tomatoes, garden pests can be a major headache. Keeping a garden journal can help you track what pests and diseases affect your plants and more easily identify problems when they arise.

It is easier to keep a record in the present that can help you take steps to prevent similar issues in the future. Keeping a written record can also help you track what works and what doesn’t when it comes to pest and disease control.

Note the weather conditions and how it affects your garden.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you know that the weather can make or break your garden. A garden journal is a perfect place to document what conditions were like when your plants thrived… or didn’t. Did they wilt in the heat? Did they survive a late frost? Make notes of these events so you can plan accordingly in future years. And don’t forget to document the amount of rainfall (or lack thereof) as well!

Record how much water and fertilizer you used on each plant throughout the season.

If you’re new to gardening, keeping track of how much water and fertilizer you use on each plant can help you understand what they need to thrive. By recording this information in your garden journal, you can look back on previous seasons to see what worked best and adjust accordingly. Additionally, this can be helpful if you experience a problem with one of your plants—by knowing how much water and fertilizer it was receiving, you can narrow down the possible causes and take steps to correct the issue.

Documenting what you use can help save money by avoiding over-watering, under-watering, and using the wrong types of fertilizers. If you do decide to experiment with a new type of fertilizer or watering system, thorough records will help identify any successes or failures.

Make sketches of your garden layouts and note which plants perform well in each spot.

Soil is essential for growing healthy plants. It provides nutrients and support for roots, but it also helps to regulate moisture levels and prevent weed growth. However, soil can also be quickly eroded by wind and water, damaging plant life and can make it difficult for new seedlings to take root. One tool in your toolbox is to use your garden journal to map out your layout. Are there any hills, low spots, or drainage issues? Is there a high area where you can do in-ground gardening and a low area that would work with raised beds?

Maybe you aren’t sure where you want to put all the plants you started. Mapping out your layout in a garden journal helps provide an illustration that can be re-arranged to fit your specific needs and will very quickly let you know if you have more plants than space or if an arrangement is not the most optimal use of your space.

Jot down ideas for new plants to try in your garden next year.

If you’ve heard of chicken math, plant math is very similar. You may go to the garden center, see something new and interesting, and think, “I have to have that.” Once you get home, you realize that your garden is already overflowing with plants, and you don’t have room to squeeze anything else in. That’s where keeping a garden journal can come in handy. I like to keep a list of seeds that I already have and make a new list of varieties that I would like to try in my garden next year. Then, when it’s time to replant, you know exactly what you want to add to your garden.

Write about your gardening success and failures.

A garden journal is a great place to track the progress/failures of your plants. You can record when you sow them, when they sprout, and how they grow over time. This information can be invaluable when it comes time to replant your garden. It is invaluable to be able to look back and note which plants did well and which ones didn’t. Keeping track of what works and what doesn’t enables you to learn from your mistakes and take steps to prevent them in the future.

One of the greatest things I ever did for myself was to take notes on all of the vegetables I chose to grow during the first two seasons that I gardened. This allowed me to not only adopt the method of crop rotation but I was able to compare how the same plants did in different areas. For example, I thought my tomatoes would do better in our high tunnel, but they actually performed best in a raised bed where they received access to rainwater.

Reasons to keep a garden journal.

Garden journals can be a great resource to help you track your progress, keep notes on what works and what doesn’t, and plan for future seasons. If you’re not already keeping one, we hope this article has convinced you of the benefits of garden journaling and given you some ideas of what you need to be paying attention to. So roll up your sleeves, get out your notebook, and get ready to make this the best gardening season you’ve ever had.

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