January is all about garden planning!
If you’re like me, your head is brimming with ideas and projects for your dream garden. But sometimes, those ideas stay stuck in your head. You get overwhelmed by the cost, the steps involved, or where to even begin. Trust me, I’ve been there!
The key is to take that first small step to turn your dreams into reality. Here’s how to get started:
1. Brainstorm and Dream Big!
Take 5 minutes to brainstorm all your garden dreams onto paper. Don’t hold back! Write down anything and everything you can imagine, no matter how big or seemingly impossible. This is your chance to dream big! You can download the brainstorming sheet shown below or use a notebook to capture all of your ideas in one place. You can always prioritize later.
2. Capture Inspiration Visually
As gardeners, we’re visual creatures. We think in colors, textures, and images. Pinterest, magazines, and even photos you tear out of old catalogs are great resources for sparking creativity. Visit garden centers for inspiration.
3. Get Your Ideas on Paper
I’m not a big fan of checklists, so I created a downloadable worksheet specifically for garden planning:
- Garden Project Planner: This planner helps you break your project down into actionable steps.
Let’s Use the Worksheets in Action!
I filled up all the circles on my brainstorming sheet, but I know I won’t be able to tackle everything at once. That’s why it’s important to prioritize!
Choosing My Projects
I’ve chosen one project to focus on for this spring. My project is finally completing the interior of my garden shed, which has been sitting unfinished for six years! It has accumulated garden tools, chicken feed, lumbar, garden fertilizer and soil, seed starting supplies…..and pieces of furniture and tables I have accumulated to furnish it. What was originally purchased to be a peaceful place for relaxing has turned into a big storage unit for everything.
Planning with the Garden Project Planner
Here’s how I’m using the Garden Project Planner to tackle this project:
Name My Project:
- Complete Inside of Garden Shed
List Steps Of Everything You Need to Do to Complete:
- Gather pictures from magazines, Pinterest, and online to get ideas for interior of shed.
- Clean out shed
- Move furniture and paint it
- Paint the inside walls and floor
- Install electrical wiring, switches, plugs, and connect to a solar panel.
- Remove the loft to open up the space.
- Replace broken window.
- Get organizing options for tools, soil, chicken needs.
Budget:
- Determine the cost of paint, wiring, solar panel, electrical switches, plugs, furnishings etc.
To Buy:
- Paint, wiring, solar panel, switches, outlets
Notes:
- List places to purchase materials and their prices.
- Identify who can help you with tasks you can’t do yourself (e.g., my son will do the electrical wiring).
- Specify quantities for materials (e.g., number of switches, gallons of paint).
- If you’re building something, include lumber sizes. If you’re planting, include the types and quantities of plants.
Turning Your Plans into Action
With your project planner in hand, create a notebook to jot down additional ideas as they come to you. Take both your notebook and planner with you when you visit home improvement stores or nurseries. It’s easy to get distracted with all of the options!
Don’t Forget the Deadlines!
Finally, set deadlines for each step in your project planner to hold yourself accountable and keep the momentum going. This project has been on my “to do” list for 2 years now. This is the year I am determined to complete it. I have taken the first step and removed all the Christmas decorations and stored them in an unused closet downstairs. It’s a small step, but it has gotten the momentum started.
By following these steps and using the downloadable worksheets, you can transform your garden dreams into a beautiful reality. So grab a pen, unleash your creativity, and get ready to make your garden dreams a reality.
I would love to hear your garden plans this spring. Please add yours to the comments below.
Download your Garden Project Brainstorm Sheet: Here
Happy Gardening!
Karen
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