I have a ballpark figure of how much we spent on seeds, plants, tools and other necessities, but I didn't capture the true costs, nor the true yields that we've had so far.
We love to eat, preserve, and share pepper with our friends and family so we planted a ton. But I didn't bother to document which plants were which. When someone asks for sweet pepper, or hot banana pepper, I have to go through our garden munching on pepper until I find the right ones.
I also haven't documented things like my fertilizing schedule. I've fertilized, but I'm not sure when I should fertilize again.
I could lay blame for this on the fact that I've worked a really demanding day job for many years, and I could probably convince myself that I didn't have time to plant the garden properly. And to some extent, I WAS really pressed for time.
But the thing is, proper planning actually saves time not to mention increasing the yield. I'm certain of that.
As I stood outside watering the garden which is beginning to parch after weeks of no rain, I made a commitment to myself that I would start a garden journal - today.
I plan to apply the skills I learned in business school to the task at hand. Plan, implement, measure, adjust as necessary. So there! I fessed up. I hope you are happy now! :)
All that planning and cataloging sounds like more work than putting in and weeding the garden. I like statistice about things, but I'm not well suited to document every day of a long term project, like a garden.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for even HAVING a garden. I am lucky to get a load of laundry in on a consistent schedule! Keep on planting and watering and musing in your garden, it is very inspirational. Please keep in mind that I am a slug and you are lucky that I cannot nibble those greens from the internet, they look delicious. Come on over to Slug's Rest if you need a giggle or a break from the action!
ReplyDeleteI am at "Adventures of Mr. Slug and Friends" if you care to visit between the tomoatoes and the spinich pruning. Please bring some with you!
Love, Mrs. Slug
I can attest to the benefit of keeping even a simple spreadsheet. Nothing elaborate...just a date and activity and a note. That way I can keep track of fertilizer, water, bug activity, first harvest, etc. I find referring to previous years' sheets helps a lot too.
ReplyDeleteAs for pepper foraging? I use plant tags made out of old mini blinds. *munch*