GARDENING PLANNER ourhappyplace.ca
GARDENING PLANNER Contents PLANTING CALENDAR CROP PLANNING PLANNING GRID PLANNING LEGEND NATURAL PEST CONTROL COMPANION PLANTING KID- FRIENDLY IDEAS TIPS NOTES PRINTABLES RESOURCES ourhappyplace.ca
Garden Planner: Planting Calendar Print as many of these pages as needed to track what you want to plant and when. Month:
Print as many of these pages as needed to help you stay organized throughout the growing season Plant & Variety Garden Planner: Crop Planning Planting Date (Indoor/ Outdoor) Est Harvesting Date Notes
Garden Planner: Planning Grid Use this grid to plan which plants you want to grow and where. Tip: leave space for walkways for in- ground gardens so you have room to walk through the plants for watering, weeding, and harvesting.
Garden Planner: Planning Legend Once you've decided what to plant, use the Planning Grid to help map out where specific plants will go and how many. Use this legend to make notes and colour- code the grid for easy reference. Print multiple copies of the Planning Grid and Planning Legend if you plan on a second or third planting. Tips: Use a pen or fine- tip permanent marker to map- out where the plants will go Use pencil crayons or highlighters to colour- code the Planning Grid and Planning Legend To make the most of planting space, use the square- foot gardening method and/ or companion planting to maximize yield and deter pests Select plants that you will enjoy/ consume the most as your jumping- off point for what to plant/ give priority to (you can always grow more in a second or third planting) Decide which varieties you will include in a second(and possibly third) planting throughout the growing season and plan accordingly
Garden Planner: Natural Pest Control There are a variety of ways to reduce pests in an organic home garden. If you want to avoid using chemicals here are some simple methods to try. Floating row cover- a light material that you can lay over plants to protect from pests. It also holds in warmth in the cooler Spring and Fall months Companion Planting (see next page for more information)- strategic planting method to grow plants that support each other's growth/ aid in pest control (for example certain flowers, such as marigolds help repel pests) Homemade sprays- there are several different options you can make at home to deter pests that don't contain chemicals Vinegar Spray: Combine 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water + 1 tsp natural dish soap and mix well. Spray on plants once a week (a mist setting is ideal). Tip: don't spray more than once a week as the acidity in vinegar can harm plants (ie the plants you're growing for food). To make an effective weed/ grass killer, mix equal parts vinegar and water and spray directly onto plants. Use either white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Lemon Spray: Combine equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spray directly on bugs or use a barrier such as a piece of cardboard to protect plants while you spray around them (similar to vinegar, the acidity in lemon juice can harm some plants). You can also cover plants with a bucket or bowl while spraying with lemon solution to protect them. Essential Oil Spray: Combine equal parts of rosemary, peppermint, thyme, and clove oil (5-10 drops of each) in a spray bottle filled with water. Spray in the area you want to ward- off pests. Other options include using chilli and garlic, among other natural ingredients. If you have a specific pest you are trying to eliminate, do some research online for other suggestions.
Garden Planner: Companion Planting Companion planting is the gardening method whereby you plant varieties near each other to help each other grow and ward off pests. Some plants grow better together, while others can inhibit each other's growth. This is especially helpful if you have a small space to plant in and want to maximize yield. Fruits & Vegetables Beets- plant with broccoli, onions, Swiss chard, cabbages, Brussels sprouts Cabbage- plant with kale, Swiss chard, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts Carrots- plant with basil, asparagus, garlic, broccoli, cabbages, lettuce, peas, onions, leeks Cucumber- plant with beans, radishes, cabbages, corn Beans- plant with potatoes, squash, radishes, beets, spinach, cucumber Garlic- raspberries, carrots, peas, tomatoes Kale- dill, mint, sage, cabbages, rosemary Leeks- carrots, onions, spinach, sage, thyme Lettuce- plant with beets, radishes, broccoli, onion, dill Onions- plant with carrots, lettuce, beets, cabbage, parsnips Peas- plant with garlic, turnips, cauliflower, potatoes, radishes Peppers- tomatoes, basil, carrots, onions Potatoes- cabbages, peas, squash, beans, corn Radishes- lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, peas, parsnips, spinach Spinach- strawberries, beans, peas Strawberries- beans, garlic, lettuce, onions, peas, spinach, thyme Tomatoes- plant with garlic, basil, broccoli, asparagus, onions, carrots, cabbages
Garden Planner: Companion Planting Herbs Basil- plant with tomatoes, peppers, mint, rosemary, thyme Chives- plant with carrots, tomatoes, dill, thyme, broccoli, parsley Coriander- plant with mint, oregano, chives, sage, thyme, spinach Dill- plant with chives, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, corn Mint- basil, rosemary Oregano- plant with carrots, tomatoes, onions, chervil, coriander, lavender, peppers Parsley- plant with carrots, chives, corn, onion, peas, peppers, tomatoes, sage, thyme, oregano, basil, lemon balm Rosemary- plant with carrots, cabbage, sage, beans, thyme, basil, mint, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers Sage- plant with rosemary, basil, oregano Thyme- plant with cabbage, rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme
Garden Planner: Kid- Friendly Ideas Want to get your kids involved in gardening? Here are some suggestions that are easy to grow and are a great way to get your kids digging in the dirt and learning about how plants grow. Sunflowers Marigolds Pansies Geraniums Fruits & Vegetables Carrots Radishes Strawberries Lettuce Peas Beans (plant a few in a clear glass jar and watch the beans sprout and grow Potatoes Sprouts (great to grow in a jar on the kitchen counter) Wheatgrass (another great option to grow inside on a windowsill) Mint Chives Herbs Flowers
Garden Planner: Tips Need help planning? Limited space? Or lots of shade? See below for some tips to make the most of what you've got to work with and the information in this Gardening Planner. Small Spaces If you have limited space, you can still enjoy a great output if you make the most of the space you have. Here are a few suggestions: Containers- perfect for patios/ balconies and other small spaces. - Look for stackable pots so you can grow multiple plants in a small area - Hang containers from deck railings and other secure places - Maximize planter space by growing the shortest plants near the front, midheight plants in the centre, and the tallest/ climbing plants (such as peas/ beans) at the back - Use a trellis or other frame to help plants grow against the perimeter of the space you're growing in Vertical Gardens- great to maximize vertical space when square footage on the ground is limited. Here are a few ideas for creating a vertical garden: - Hang pots from a trellis or chicken wire stapled to a frame; these can e free- standing in a planter or attached to a wall/ other vertical surface - Hang rods horizontally in a bookshelf- style frame or attach to a secure structure and hang pots for tiered vertical gardens - Use a narrow shelf or old ladder against a wall to place pots on for a tiered option - Create a door or wall- mounted pocket planter (think of a shoe organizer) out of natural material such as burlap or canvas. Line with food- grade cheese cloth to help prevent water draining too quickly from the bottom of the pockets - Some plants that grow well in a vertical- garden format: strawberries, salad greens, thyme, sage, tomatoes, radishes, parsley
Garden Planner: Tips Lots of Shade Just because you don't have plenty of sunshine where you have room to plant, doesn't mean you're out of luck. If you get limited or no sun, here are some suggestions for plants that grow well in the shade: - Beans - Beets - Broccoli - Brussels Sprouts - Carrots - Cauliflower - Celery - Kale - Lettuce and other salad greens such as arugula and endive) - Parsnips - Peas - Radishes - Spinach - Swiss Chard - Spinach
Garden Planner: Tips Growing Indoors No room outside? You can still enjoy fresh edibles grown inside. Just find a sunny spot and create an indoor gardening space. Just make sure to use containers deep/ wide enough for the plants you intend to grow. Here are a few options: - Carrots - Potatoes - Beans - Kale - Tomatoes - Beets - Salad greens - Radishes - Sprouts (grow on your counter in a glass jar!) - Wheatgrass - Herbs (Tip: windowsill herb gardens are a great indoor option)
Garden Planner: Notes Use this page to make notes as you plan and throughout the gardening season. Brainstorm which plants you want to grow, how certain varieties do, notes for next year, etc. Print as many of these pages as needed and bring with you when you shop.
Garden Planner: Printables Now that you're all ready to garden, here are some fun printables to help! Simply print as many pages as you need and cut out when ready to use. Plant Labels
Garden Planner: Printables If you plan to save seeds or want to keep your seeds organized, print these labels to identify them. Seed Labels
Garden Planner: Printables Kids Garden Sign Have a proud little gardener? Print this page and have them colour it in and add their name. Attach to a wooden dowel or stick and place in the garden where they helped. This Garden Planted By
Garden Planner: Resources The following titles were used as reference for my own garden and for this Garden Planner. All contain a wealth of information and make for great continued reading. Pinterest and Google are also great references for gardening ideas. From Seed to Table, A Practical Guide to Eating and Growing Green- By Janette Haase, Insomniac Press Tiny Garden, Huge Harvest- By Caleb Warnock, Familius DIY Garden Projects, Easy Activities and Edible Gardening and Backyard Fun- By Mat Pember & Dillon Seitchik- Reardon, Hardie Grant Books Herbs + Flowers- By Pip McCormac, Quadrille This Garden Planner written and produced by ourhappyplace.ca