The Fruit and Vegetable Garden Planner

Black & White Version

Plan, grow, and harvest with ease using this comprehensive garden planner!

Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, this undated, budget-friendly garden planner is designed to help you stay organized, set achievable goals, and create a thriving edible garden that suits your lifestyle.

Packed with over 100 pages of helpful worksheets, this planner allows you to efficiently track your gardening tools, seeds, and supplies. Plan out your garden layout with dedicated spaces for raised beds, high tunnels, and row gardens, ensuring you make the most of your growing area. Stay on top of your planting and harvesting schedule with easy-to-use planning pages that help you maximize productivity throughout the seasons.

This planner also includes a full year of month-at-a-glance calendars, perfect for scheduling key gardening tasks and keeping notes on seasonal changes. You'll find pages dedicated to recording pest and disease control methods, helping you track what works best for your garden. Additionally, reference guides for companion planting and seed viability make it easy to plan successful plant pairings and ensure your seeds are fresh and ready for sowing.

Beyond planning and tracking, this all-in-one gardening resource includes project planning pages, space for notes, and much more to keep your gardening journey organized and stress-free. Whether you're growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, this planner is your ultimate tool for a productive and rewarding garden!

Notes on How To Use:

How to Use This Garden Planner

Firstly, I want to thank you so much for choosing to purchase my vegetable garden planner. I welcome feedback and suggestions for ways to make it more useful for future editions.

I'm going to offer some suggestions to make the best use of this planner, but you should use it in whatever way makes the most sense to you. Add stickers, doodle in the margins, add tabs, make notes. Planning your garden should be fun!

As much as I love colored gel pens, I'm going to suggest that you use a pencil, or at least erasable pens for this planner. Nature does what nature wants to do despite your best plans, and life happens to everyone. I've intentionally left this planner undated so that when plans must change, you can erase and make adjustments. If necessary, you can set it down for days, weeks or months without wasting your investment. Even if that means that you can't pick it up again until it's time to plan next year's garden.

As you fill out each planning page, don't forget to transfer the dates to your monthly planning calendar. Remember that this is the place to record your plans, which will probably be quite different from what happens once you get started. Life is funny like that. That's why I have created a planner that is separate from the journal/record book.

If you are forced to start seeds a week later than you planned, you can change the expected germination date for them (and make a note of why you made the change). If your tomato seeds fail to germinate on the first try, you'll be able to adjust your expected harvest date to account for that. Maybe a late frost killed the blossoms on your peach trees, so there won't be a harvest this year.

Make sure to save this year's planner to use along with this year's record book when planning for next year's garden. You'll be able to use your planned/vs. actual data to make better decisions when planning for the upcoming garden season.

Brainstorming and Mind Maps

You probably have all kinds of plans, ideas and concerns floating around in your head--classes you want to take, research you want to do, a new potato cultivar you are dying to grow. All of that stuff will serve you better written down so that it isn't cluttering up your brain.

Important Dates & Data

Record your USDA growing zone, average and observed frost dates, average annual rainfall, soil type and pH here. This information allows you to choose plants that will be most likely to do well in your climate. Most seed packets, plant labels and catalog listings will tell you what zone the plant will grow in, ideal planting time

{based on your growing zone) and the number of days to harvest.

Knowing your average first and last frost dates will help you to schedule appropriate shipping dates when purchasing live plants and trees online. It will also help you to schedule when to start seeds indoors, when it is (probably) safe to transplant outdoors, and when you will need to have raised beds and garden plots prepared for Spring and Fall planting.

Keeping in mind your annual average precipitation (snow and rain) will help you to choose what plants to grow based on your desired amount of time spent in the garden (and how big of a water bill you can afford). If you are a lazy gardener like me, or just don't have time in for your schedule for frequent watering, then choosing plants that can thrive with only rainfall (most of the time) makes sense.

Your soil type and pH will determine what amendments you may need, what gardening methods will be most successful for you, and what plants will and won't do well for you in the garden. A bit of quick internet research will tell you whether a plant likes your type of soil and whether your soil pH is in the right range for it to thrive. Knowing this can save you a lot of money and work.

Goals:

Before you start planning (or planting), it really helps to be clear and realistic about what your gardening goals are. Goals that are too big will doom you to frustration, discouragement and failure. They might just blow your budget too. Why are you planting a garden? Are you doing a homeschool project with your kids? Maybe you want to get closer to nature? Are you trying to make your grocery budget go farther? Are you hoping to grow all the fruits and vegetables you eat? Learning a new skill? Looking for stress relief? Trying to reduce exposure to environmental toxins?

Whatever your big goal is, you need to keep it in mind as you plan, budget and make decisions. Take an honest look at your available free time, tools, funds and skills. Some goals will cost you a lot more in time and money than others. Some goals are more forgiving of mistakes, changes of plans or delays than others. You might want to build raised beds, but if you don't have the skills, materials or time to do it, you'll either need to make do with a different method, find a creative alternative, or be willing to pay or barter for someone else to do the building for you (and there's nothing wrong with that).

Your smaller goals might be things like:

• Can salsa and spaghetti sauce for a year, made only from your own garden produce

• Grow herbs to create your own herbal tea blends

• Experiment with sweet potatoes

• Grow cherry tomatoes on your patio from seed

Before making any big decisions (and some of the small ones too) such as the purchase of a tool, the size of your garden, or how many tomato plants you need to buy, always ask yourself: "Does this help me to achieve my big goal?"

Inventories

Before you start making plans and shopping from the seed catalogs, it's best to take stock of what you already have to work with. The planner begins with pages for you to record what perennials and trees you already have planted, what tools, books, soil amendments, seeds and seed trays you already have squirreled away, and what garden suppliers you prefer to do business with. This isn't nearly as much fun as planning and dreaming, but it is necessary, because it will save you a lot of time and money.

A Note on Plant Types:

Annuals, Herbs, Perennials, Fruits & Nuts--Some edible plants fall into more than one category. Lavender is a flowering, perennial herb. You might include blueberries in your orchard if they're planted with your apple trees, or you might put them with perennials if they're planted near your rhubarb and asparagus beds. It just needs to make sense to you.

Containers:

Many gardeners grow some or all of their plants in containers. This page will allow you to keep track of what plants you have growing in containers. Examples of container-grown plants might be cilantro on your kitchen windowsill, invasive perennials (like mint), dwarf fruit trees and shrubs, or tender perennials like lemon verbena that can spend summer outdoors but need protection from the cold of winter.

Perennials:

Some herbs and vegetables (and fruits) are perennials depending on your growing zone. Examples include asparagus, strawberries, multiplier onions, elephant garlic, walking onions, horseradish, rhubarb, rosemary, mint, lavender, oregano and thyme. This page is a place to record what you already have growing in your garden.

Herbs:

Same as vegetables.

Fruit & Nut Orchard:

This page is for recording the fruit trees, nut trees, bushes (like blueberries and currants) and brambles (raspberries and blackberries) that you already have in your orchard. There is space to record tree types, root stock, how many you have planted, where they are located, year planted, pruning notes, and when you might reasonably expect to see your first harvest. It's also a good place to note any problems such as disease or pest problems that you may have noticed, as well as how you prefer to deal with those problems.

Seed Inventory:

These pages are for recording what seeds you have on hand, where they came from, how old they are, how much you have, and whether you are willing to trade those seeds with other gardeners.

1. Take the time to gather up your seed stash from the 4 corners of your home and sort them. You'll likely discover that you are drowning in some, and completely lacking in others.

2. Next, grab the seed viability chart to determine which seeds are still likely to germinate and which ones are too old. You will probably need to throw a whole bunch of expired seeds onto the compost pile. Don’t despair though, you might just be surprised by what “expired” seeds germinate in the compost pile.

3. Once you've sorted out what you are keeping, record it all on your inventory and then take a photo of it with your phone. The next time you are out shopping and are tempted by the beautiful displays of seeds at the store, you can check your phone before you spend money on seeds you don't need.

Garden Tools:

After you've inventoried your seeds, it's time to look over your garden tools. If you're anything like me, they're scattered between the garage, the barn, the shed, the basement and against ran dom trees in the yard. Gather up what you have, maybe take a little time for cleaning and maintenance, and then make a list.

You'll likely find that you have multiples of some tools, some that are broken beyond repair, and others that you wish you had multiples of. This inventory will allow you to keep track of what you have, where you got it, and what you like to use it for. Anything that you write down, you don't have to remember. Don’t forget to list pest traps, trellises, tomato cages, fencing, watering cans, garden hose, spray bottles etc.

Books Inventory:

More than likely, you have at least a few books in your library that cover the topic of gardening. Whether they are located on your Kindle or on your bookshelf, take the time to record a list of what you own. This way, you won't make the mistake of purchasing a book you already own. I own multiple copies of several gardening books because I didn't do an inventory. It is sometimes nice to have an extra copy to loan/give to a friend, but it probably wasn't the wisest use of my dollars.

Garden Supply Inventory:

This is where you record what you have on hand for fertilizers, fungicides, pest control, plant tags, twine, seed starting trays and any other supplies you regularly use (and use up) in the garden. There is also room to note if you need to go shopping for more.

Whether you are using conventional products, organics or kitchen sink products, it's good to keep track.

Important Information At-A-Glance

Here, you will be able to record your favorite gardening recipes, websites, apps, online and local garden suppliers. I've also included some quick-reference pages about companion planting and seed viability.

Garden Chemicals:

Most gardeners use some type of chemicals in the garden, even if it's simple things like dish soap, Epsom salt and vinegar. These pages allow you to record product names, safety information, purposes, application instructions and sources. This information is printed on the label of conventional and organic chemicals, but over time labels can be torn off, faded by the sun or destroyed by rain or spilled chemicals. By taking the time to record this information in the planner, you'll save yourself a headache later.

Garden Recipes:

Very often, a garden problem can be remedied with a kitchen sink concoction. This is the place to record the ingredients, application instructions and purpose for each recipe so you don't have to try to find the website for it later.

Websites and Apps:

Keep a list of your favorite websites (usernames and passwords too) for gardening advice and know-how, online groups or forums you belong to. Any apps you use for plant and pest identification, expense tracking, scheduling etc. can be listed here as well.

Garden Suppliers:

Take a moment to look through old receipts and online transactions (if you have them) as well as the gardening catalogs you receive in the mail. Make a list of the suppliers you use, their websites (and your passwords) what you buy from them, and why you prefer those vendors. Human memory can be a fickle thing, and it's frustrating to waste time trying to remember things that would have been easy to just write down in the moment. Don’t forget to list local garden centers, hardware stores, farm supply stores etc.

Companion Groups:

There are dozens of books and countless online articles available that cover the subject of companion planting. I find it saves a lot of time and mental energy to have a list of groups of garden plants that grow well together as I plan out garden beds, so I've included that information here.

Helper Plants:

These are plants that provide some benefit to the plants around them. This help often comes in the form of repelling pests, but some plants might enhance the flavor of others. Basil enhances the flavor of tomatoes, for example.

Trap Crops:

Some plants are so attractive to garden pests that they are planted for the sole purpose of luring pests away from other plants. Examples are blue Hubbard squash, and radishes.

Diseases and Pests:

Sooner or later, every gardener will deal with diseases and pests. If you’ve never gardened before, talk to gardening friends, the local Extension office, or do an internet search to find out what diseases and insect pests are common in your area. Make a list of each potential problem, what plants are typically affected, when the problem shows up, and how you plan to handle it. Then make sure you have the necessary supplies on hand.

• Make a note on your planning calendar to be watching for those problems a week or two before they typically appear. If you’re watching, you can handle diseases and pests before they destroy all of your hard work.

• Don’t forget the 2- and 4-legged varieties of pests. Deer, cats, rabbits, birds and dogs can be garden pests too.

Seed Viability Chart:

As you gather up your seed inventory from the 4 corners of your home (maybe that's just me'?), it is helpful to have some guidance about which seeds are likely too old to count on germinating for you. It still might be worthwhile to test germinate them before you throw them out, but it's probably a good idea to replace anything that is nearing or past its prime. Especially if the seeds haven't been stored under ideal conditions.

Expected Harvest Times:

These pages are for you to note the anticipated harvest dates of the plants that you already have in the ground (these will likely include fruit and nut trees and perennials like strawberries, asparagus, over-wintering garlic etc.) This information will come from online sources, your memory of last year's harvest, your old journal entries, notes on your calendar etc.

After you've written in what you already grow, you'll be able to see where you have harvests that overlap, and when you have gaps in the harvest schedule. That should help you to make better decisions about what else you might want to grow.

Some examples:

• All of your strawberries are early-season varieties, and you'd like to extend the harvest. This spring, you can add some mid-and late-season varieties to your garden.

• You have nothing that ripens in late July, so you decide that is the time to schedule a family vacation.

• You were picking a bazillion tomatoes on your anniversary last year, so you decide to plant a variety that ripens earlier or later (or maybe just fewer tomatoes) this year.

Once you've written in all of your harvest times for your permanent edible plants, you'll be able to go back in and add estimated harvest dates for the annuals that you plan to grow this year, and any perennials that you plan to add to your garden. Those dates can be calculated from the information on seed packets and plant tags, once you've purchased started plants or started your own seed. Write lightly here.

Remember that nature does its own thing despite your best plans. As you go along, you may find that you have planned to plant too many crops that will need to be harvested at the same time. If you write lightly, you can more easily erase and adjust your planting schedule to spread out the harvest.

Let the Planning Begin!

Now that you've got your goals in mind, your inventories are done, and you have an idea of your harvest schedule, it's time to use that information to help you plan your garden.

As you begin planning, it's really tempting to bite off more than you can chew. I do it every single year. Try to keep a few things in mind as you go along:

• Keep your big goals at the front of your mind.

• Know yourself--If you're a lazy gardener, own it. Don't plan a big, high­ maintenance garden. If you're a perfectionist, give yourself and your garden permission to be imperfect. Perfect is the enemy of finished.

• Know your backyard pests-If you have a dog, will it dig or run amuck through your garden? If you have outdoor cats (or your neighbors do), how will you keep them from using your vegetable patch for their very own luxury toilet'? How about poultry? Do you know that you can have free-ranging chickens OR mulch, but not both?

• Be realistic about your available time. If you're juggling a full-time work schedule, you travel a lot, or are the primary caregiver for small children, you may not have a ton of free time to spend in the garden. Keep it small, low­ maintenance and manageable. Maybe you can only grow some windowsill herb s in self-watering pots. You're still developing skills and learning.

What Does Your Garden Grow?

What do you want to grow this year (refer back to your goals). How much space do you want to cultivate, what plants will you grow, what will you start from seed, what bedding plants will you purchase? When do you need to sow your seeds, and are there ordering deadlines for plants you want to purchase online?

Annual Fruits & Vegetables:

These pages allow you to record what (annual) vegetable varieties you plan to start from seed vs. started plants, as well as where you will purchase them, seed starting dates, direct sowing dates, transplanting dates, quantity needed, where you will plant them and why you chose each cultivar.

Herbs:

Same as annual fruits & vegetables (even though some are perennials)

Perennial Fruits and Vegetables:

What perennial food plants will you plant this year? These might include asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, comfrey or horseradish. Will you buy them bare-root or already potted? Will you dig up and divide plants you already have? Note your plans here.

Fruit & Nut Orchard:

This page is for recording the fruit trees, nut trees, vines, brambles and bushes that you would like to add to your garden. What type and size of tree, how many, where you will plant the m, and where you will get them. There is also room to record cost and shipping/planting date.

Where Does Your Garden Grow?

This section starts with layouts for raised beds, garden rows and/or high tunnel rows, and container gardens. Once you have your available space mapped out, you'll be able to decide how best to use it.

Raised Beds:

The raised bed pages are to be used for listing what you want to grow in each bed, and how you plan to manage watering, pests, disease and weeds. You can record your plans for fertilizers, pest control, mulch, planned planting date and expected harvest date, and even what companion groups you wish to try. There is space to record the name/location, size and type of soil used in each raised bed.

Raised Bed Graphs:

Square-foot grid layouts have been included for both a 4'x8' and a 3'x9' raised layout. These are the more commonly used sizes for raised beds, as they make best use of 12' lumber and are easy to reach into from both sides. The grid layout allows you to practice square-foot gardening if you choose, as well as planning how many plants of each type you'll need for each raised bed.

Garden Rows & High Tunnels:

There are a wide variety of philosophies for how to lay out a garden (high tunnel, raised beds, long rows, square-foot, raised rows, mini beds, grocery rows etc.). Several grid pages are included to allow you to draw your existing garden layout(s) and any new layouts you want to try. It could be your high tunnel, it could be a map

of your backyard and all the raised beds therein, it could be your orchard.

Container Garden:

Even gardeners with lots of yard space tend to also grow some of their plants in containers. This is the spot to record what containers you have, and what you will grow in them.

How Much Does Your Garden Cost?

There is a cost that comes with gardening. It takes up space, it takes some of your time, it takes work, it takes water, and it usually takes some money. It pays to plan for the cost of your garden so you don't bite off more than you can chew.

Project Pages:

We all have projects that we'd like to accomplish in the garden, whether it's something as small as putting in a bird bath or as large as building a greenhouse. These pages help you to plan costs, timelines, materials, suppliers and any help you'll need to complete the projects.

Shopping Lists:

Now that you've inventoried your seeds (and thrown out the ones that are past their prime) and planned what you want to grow this season, it's time to start some shopping lists. You'll need to assess have vs. need for seeds, bedding plants, bare-root trees, potted shrubs, books, tools, soil amendments etc. Ideally, you can find a lot of the things that you don't have by thrifting, trading with other gardeners, shopping clearance and checking the buy/sell/trade boards. In reality, some things you'll probably have to pay full retail for--just remember that prices can vary widely between local sources. The big box store that has bargain blueberries might have very expensive apple trees. Shop around.

You may want to highlight or rank items by priority so that you don't go over budget.

Gardening Year Calendars:

Regardless of where in the world you live, there is potential to be doing some kind of work on your garden year-round. Whether that is planting, tending, harvesting, planning, or building projects for the upcoming season. For this reason, there is a double-page calendar for each month of the year. It's meant to keep track of important dates such as frost dates, shipping dates for plant orders, seed starting and germination dates, pruning and applying pest control measures, and deadlines for starting seeds and completing projects.

Once you’ve got the planning handled, the doing can begin. That’s where a Garden Journal comes in handy.

If you've purchased the Black & White Garden Planner, I'd love to hear your feedback. I'm always looking to improve my gardening books.

You can download 6 FREE additional Seed Inventory worksheets by joining our email list:

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