Permanent garden
Manage your long-term garden plants including fruit trees, perennial flowers, shrubs, and other plants that return year after year. Track their health, seasonal changes, and care needs to keep your permanent garden thriving.
Your permanent plant collection
Keep records for all your long-term plants:
- Fruit trees and berry bushes
- Perennial flowers and ornamental grasses
- Shrubs and hedges
- Herbs that return each year
- Other plants that live for multiple seasons
Caring for permanent plants
Monitor plant health
Track each plant’s condition throughout the seasons:
- Spring growth and flowering times
- Summer health and vigor
- Fall preparation and changes
- Winter protection and dormancy
Add notes about any problems like pests, diseases, or weather damage so you can spot patterns and provide better care.
Record seasonal care
Log important care activities:
- Pruning dates and what you removed
- Feeding and fertilizer applications
- Pest treatments and their effectiveness
- Watering adjustments during dry periods
- Protection measures for extreme weather
Plant growth and development
Watch your plants mature over time:
- Record height and spread measurements
- Note flowering and fruiting patterns
- Document when plants reach maturity
- Track changes in growing habits
Managing your plant collection
Add new plants
When you plant new permanent additions, record:
- Plant type and variety information
- Planting date and location details
- Initial size and condition
- Special care requirements
- Expected mature size and timeline
Track plant locations
Know exactly where each plant is growing:
- Map bed and garden locations
- Record container placements
- Note sun exposure and soil conditions
- Update locations when you move plants
Review plant performance
Assess how each plant does in your garden:
- Flowering and fruiting success
- Growth rate and health
- Problem patterns and solutions
- Suitability for your climate and soil
Learning from experience
Build your garden knowledge
Your permanent garden records create valuable information:
- See which varieties thrive in your conditions
- Understand seasonal care timing for your climate
- Learn how plants respond to your care routines
- Identify the most successful growing locations
Improve care routines
Use historical data to provide better care:
- Time pruning and feeding for optimal results
- Anticipate problems based on past years
- Adjust care based on weather patterns
- Plan seasonal maintenance schedules
Plan garden changes
Make informed decisions about your garden:
- Replace plants that consistently struggle
- Add more of varieties that perform well
- Expand successful growing areas
- Plan for future plant maturity
Seasonal garden walkthroughs
Spring awakening
Check plants as they break dormancy:
- Note bud break timing
- Record new growth emergence
- Identify winter damage
- Plan spring feeding and pruning
Summer maintenance
Monitor plants during peak growing season:
- Track watering needs during dry spells
- Watch for pest and disease problems
- Record flowering and fruiting success
- Note heat stress or weather impacts
Fall preparation
Help plants prepare for winter:
- Record fall color and leaf drop
- Note pruning needs for winter structure
- Plan winter protection measures
- Document end-of-season condition
Winter protection
Protect plants during cold months:
- Record winter damage when it occurs
- Note protection measures and effectiveness
- Monitor snow load impacts
- Plan spring recovery tasks
The more you track your permanent garden plants, the better you can provide the right care at the right time, leading to healthier, more beautiful plants that reward you year after year.