Gardening organization tip #5 - Six ideas for organizing your garden to-do lists

September 10, 11:51 AMGardening ExaminerRobin Ripley

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Before you rush outdoors on Saturday morning with your Fiskars pruners and your good intentions, take a few minutes to stop and make a list of the things you need to accomplish in the garden. With a plan in hand you’ll stand a better chance of keeping things in order by concentrating on the right things.

Here are six ideas for organizing your work into effective garden to-do lists:

1. Each season brings new garden activities. It’s easy to get caught up with what’s in front of you and to forget seasonal activities, such as ordering bulbs, aerating and seeding the lawn. Invest in a seasonal garden calendar for your zone. I like The Garden Year Planner, by Anne Halpin. It offers a month-by-month checklist for each zone for different areas of your garden, including trees and shrubs, roses, lawns and ground covers, perennials, bulbs, annuals, container gardens, herbs/vegetables and fruit. By making a monthly list and updating it weekly, you won’t forget the seasonal projects that are the underpinnings of a successful garden.
2. Consider the different types of work to be done, such cleanup and weeding, pruning, planting, inspecting or watering. Rotate between activities to ensure that your time is appropriately divided among many types of activities and not just one—such as watering.
3. Allocate time for different areas of the garden. It’s easy to get caught up weeding and planting in the shade. But make sure your time is divided among all the areas of your yard and garden so that some places aren’t wild while others are carefully manicured.
4. Make time for long-term projects. New beds, ponds and hardscaping take thought and planning. Make time to contemplate your ideas, measure, sketch and observe your garden at different times of the day in preparation for new areas or structures. After you’ve planned, make a list of the steps involved in accomplishing a longer-term project. For example, to install a pond steps may include making a sketch and plan materials plan, researching and pricing materials, buying materials, staking out the area, digging, etc. Incorporate those steps into your monthly activities calendar.
5. Estimate and note the time required for each activity. With time estimates noted for each task it’s easier to find an appropriate activity when you find yourself with 20 minutes before dinner or three hours on a Friday afternoon.
6. Make your list visible. I’m all for paperless in the office. But when it comes to gardening, I’m not sitting at my desk looking at the screen, I’m in and out from the garden to the frig for cold water. Put your list where you can see it as you work. And keep a pencil nearby so you can feel the accomplishment of checking off items as they’re completed. If you like, try a chalkboard or whiteboard in your garden shed or garage where you can easily add and remove items.