workflow

Spring here and I have a long list of things to do. Too long to manage, I think. But I also want to keep track of what I do to serve as a guide for next year. Obviously, I want to know when I planted what and how many and where I planted it.

Right now, I have a master spreadsheet with all my planting dates, varieties, etc. I also have a journal where I try to keep track of what I do each day. I also have a to do list app. I know it's too many systems, but I'm trying to figure out a good workflow to be able to use the assets about each methods.

How do y'all keep track of your planting information?

I use raised beds and mark on the raised bed what is planted in it is case my paper record gets lost.   And, of course, I keep a paper record.   I don’t bother with electronic records.

I use a biodynamic almanac and follow the dates and times noted in it for when to sow, transplant and harvest for storage. To keep track of things I make a simple hand drawn map of my garden and listing what is planted where. This helps me identify a variety that did well, as I am continually thinning the herd so to speak and selecting for whatever variety of tomato or squash for examples that grow better than others. I do save some seed and replant and select for a landrace variety acclimated and performing well for my sunny hilltop garden here in Tennessee.

I use Google Sheets to keep a log of interesting plant species and details collected over time, and a large Pinterest account with visual plant pictures.  I refer to these when I'm planning my garden or at a nursery picking out plants.  

Then I also have a Google Doc for my community garden plot with a section per year noting exact cultivars, when and where planted, and notes on the yields and taste.  I also take photos over time from the same vantage point so I can swipe through and see my garden grow during the year, as well as a lot of detail photos for reference.  My Instagram contains a much smaller set of my favorite moments so I can scroll back through the years and share with family & friends.  

I'm not happy with my current scattered workflow, so if you found a better way I'd love to hear a better solution!

I don't keep a written record of what I plant or when I plant, however I do keep a spiral bound notebook on my hen house and I record the weather everyday. Sometimes if something important happens I will make a note of it. But it is listed each day on one line. Like so:
Eggs/Time|Temp/Conditions|Wind Speed|Rain|Date

I simply use my finger as a gauge and run a line down the page from top to bottom to segment the descriptions. If you'd like I can take a picture..

I also keep a journal on an every other day sorta basis to track events.