As fall draws to a close and all the beds are cleared and all the harvest is stored and all the fields are ready for the long winters sleep, you would think it’s time for folks with garden dirt under their nails to be heading for the sofa and remote . Not so says Larry Shea, CEO of This Old Garden, avid gardener and author of this article.

Swap the remote for the calendar and you’re on your way to a great looking garden come spring.

With nearly every successful undertaking, the planning stage is by far the most important part. Without a plan, things can get out of hand in a hurry. Not knowing when to make arrangements for all the activities to come will insure some of the crucial deadlines are going to be missed and the intended outcome compromised.

I strongly advise that every gardener have a detailed calendar and notes where all of the suggested times and deadlines are listed for things like:

1. Seed starting dates.
2. Splitting, dividing or transplanting plants in the garden so the primary time for these activities is not missed.
3. Purchase of stock, materials and supplies is scheduled.
4. All of your specific activities in your unique garden are scheduled on your calendar to ensure they are completed in a timely manner.

We grow a large number of hanging baskets around the patio each year and the cuttings we use have to be started in early February in order for them to be ready for the May opening of our garden. Compost, mulch and early fertilizer are applied to the beds in mid April insuring a good start for the perennials. Trim your trees in Nov/Dec and in July and August, be the faithful water boy your outdoor potted plants rely on.

Plan and schedule, schedule and plan. Our part in successful gardening can get off track so easily. Our plants have no such distraction. They will pop their heads up, show their gorgeous flowers and drop their leaves on time, every time and never be a moment late.

Don’t ya love it?

Larry Shea, This Old Garden