Great gardens don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of observation, adjustment, and care. July is a perfect time to start or strengthen your garden monitoring and journaling habits.

1. Why Monitor Your Garden Weekly? Regular check-ins help you spot early signs of:

• Pests or disease (like chewed leaves or powdery mildew)
• Over- or under-watering
• Nutrient deficiencies (yellowing leaves, stunted growth)
• Overcrowding or shading issues

What to Do:

• Walk your garden at least once a week, ideally in the morning.
• Look under leaves, check soil moisture, and note any changes.

2. The Power of a Garden Journal Writing things down transforms observations into insight. A simple notebook or digital log helps track what works (and what doesn’t).

Log Ideas:

• Planting dates
• Weather notes and rainfall
• Fertilizer or treatment applications
• Bloom/harvest times
• Pest issues and solutions
• Photos of progress

3. Benefits of Journaling

• Better planning for next season
• Early problem detection
• Smarter plant selection
• Greater appreciation for your garden’s growth cycle

4. Keep It Simple You don’t need to write daily. Weekly notes or even quick bullet lists are enough.

Tips:

• Use your phone’s camera and notes app
• Keep a small notebook near your gardening tools
• Print a basic journal template to fill in each week

Stop by Thomas Greenhouse & Gardens We offer journals, waterproof tags, garden markers, and expert advice to help you get started. Bring in photos or notes—we love helping you troubleshoot and plan ahead.

Track your garden, grow your knowledge!

Ready to Grow Smarter This July?
This article is part of our Thomas Greenhouse & Gardens July Gardening Series designed to help you keep your garden thriving all summer long. We invite you to explore the entire series:

• Identifying Common Garden Pests
• Pruning and Deadheading for a Healthier Garden
• Weather-Proofing Your Garden for July Extremes
• Smart Summer Watering Techniques
• Fertilizing Your Garden in July
• Monitoring and Journaling Your Garden in July

✨ Click here to read all articles in the series and keep your garden healthy, productive, and beautiful all season long.

Have questions or need help with your garden? Visit Thomas Greenhouse & Gardens for expert advice, quality tools, and locally grown plants that flourish in southeastern Wisconsin.