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The Garden Journal: a free digital download made with your home printer. Easily assembled in a binder or it can be spiral-bound at your local copy center.
Up today is a project I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, and I’m so glad this garden journal is finished. This journal is a free digital download that’s easy to print and assemble. Any kind of journal is a personal thing…and a garden journal is no different. This one is designed so you can customize it to suit your own needs. For example, if you don’t start or plant seeds, just leave that section out. If you don’t garden in the winter, leave that section out as well. This journal is simple to use, and appropriate for both seasoned and new gardeners.
You can find detailed tips for printing and assembling your journal below. If you’ve never used a garden journal, I invite you to try this one. I had never used a garden journal before last year…and what I used was a tattered legal pad! I wish I had a record of everything I have ever planted, and the fact that I don’t is a huge regret. I plan on recording everything from now on.
Update: There are now two cover pages to choose from! Both covers are at the beginning of the PDF. Also added are divider pages for “fruits” and “trees & shrubs.”
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The Garden Journal Printing Tips
- The final three lined pages in the PDF should be printed on regular copy paper.
- This file can be easily printed on your home computer, or save it to a flash drive and have a copy center print it for you.
- Copies needed for a five year journal:
- Print front and back covers (and notebook spine if desired) on white card stock
- Print Table of Contents on white card stock
- Pages 6 – 19: Divider Pages – 1 copy each on white card stock
- Page 20: “Year” lined page – 60 copies on regular copy paper
- Page 21: “Budget” lined page – 5 copies on regular copy paper
- Page 22: “Notes” lined page – 10 copies on regular copy paper
Adobe Acrobat Borderless Printing
- Install the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking HERE. Make sure to uncheck the optional McAfee offers.
- Download The Garden Journal.
- Find the file in your downloads and open. (It will automatically open in Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
- Click the printer icon at the top of the page.
- Click PROPERTIES.
- Under ADDITIONAL FEATURES click Borderless Printing.
- A dropdown menu will appear. Choose card stock.
- Click OK.
- Under Page Size & Handling, choose FIT.
- Under Orientation choose PORTRAIT.
- Your final window should look like the image below. Click PRINT.
The Garden Journal Assembly
I thought for a long time about how to make the garden journal assembly easy and quick. Of course, you can assemble your journal any way you like. That is the beauty of a digital download. There are 14 sections. Each section is marked by a pretty divider page. Between the dividers, are lined pages for your notes and thoughts. If you would like assembly guidance, see the list below.
Five Year Garden Journal
- Cover (There are 2 choices.)
- Table of Contents
- Garden Goals
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Annuals
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Perennials
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Vegetables
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Fruits
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Herbs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Seeds
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Trees & Shrubs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Budget Tracker
- “Budget” lined page – five copies
- Spring Jobs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Summer Jobs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Autumn Jobs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Winter Jobs
- “Year” lined page – five copies
- Notes
- “Notes” lined page – ten copies
- Back Cover
Once assembled, your garden journal can be placed in a 3-ring binder. (The binder spine is included in the PDF.) Another option is to have it spiral-bound at a copy center. I took mine to Staples and had it bound for just over $5.00. They placed a thin plastic cover on the front and back, which will help with wear over a five year time period.
To get your own free digital download of The Garden Journal, simply fill out the form below. The PDF file will be emailed straight to your inbox. **Please note: if you are already an OSP email subscriber, go ahead and fill out the form below. I will send the journal straight to your inbox. My email company makes sure you won’t have duplicate subscriptions.
Journal download! Thank you :)
I would like to get a copy of the PDF. Thank you!
Thank you
Thank you!!!!
Please send me the download of your garden planner. It looks very pretty and just what I need. Thanks!
Kindly email a garden organizer journal. Thank you.
Hi Elaine…do you see the form at the end of the post? Just fill out that form and the PDF will be sent to your email. Let me know if you have any further questions!
Thank you so much for this garden journal, Although I only have a very small space, I have a neighbor who allows me to help her out in her garden, it gives me such peace.
@tisonlyme143
Thank you for a wonderful presentation this AM. I certainly have enjoyed your blog for many years. I too have had Schnauzers. Currently, my last one Kirbs! They are almost human.
Thank you for your information and inspiration.
Jerry Kirby
The Garden Journal. I’m looking forward to setting up my own journal.
Thanks!
I would love a copy of the gardening journal
Thank you!!! For sharing your Beautiful Work.
Hi! I am trying to find the form for the digital journal. Thanks so much!
Hi, just wondering how long it takes to receive the gardening journal, I’ve filled out the form twice now, and nothing happened? Can’t wait to get started!
I sent you a private email!
Hi, I cant seem to find the form for this lovely digital :). Can you pont me in the right direction please
I’ve always grown a bit in a haphazard manner but plan on growing much larger amounts from next year as I’m planning on retiring; so I now need to organise myself much better and this looks like a lovely way in which to do that.
This is so awesome! My gardening “stuff” is just crammed into a notebook and I’ve struggled how to organize it. Thank you for sharing this with us! Reading everyone’s comments has also given me inspiration! ♥️
I printed and used your garden planner last year and will continue to do so this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was so helpful, as I was starting a new garden. The previous fall our garage burned to the ground from a fallen electric line and the fire damaged much of my landscape. I was able to record what and where I planted and this year (if the weather ever changes, I’m in Michigan) I will be able to pick up from last year. Honestly, these planners are so nice you could certainly charge for them…but I’m glad you don’t.
It’s beautiful Ann!! Thank you so much. Can’t wait to get it printed out and in use!
Love this and it will help me keep track of what works in my garden and how much I spend to get the look.
You are so creative Ann!!
Thank you
Ann – Such beautiful printables. Thank you sooo much. The kraft paper look adds so much character to the overall look. But then you always present so many lovely ideas. We can already plant annuals in our gardens and it is such a salvation to have the garden to work in.
My. Name. Is. Tammy. Weiland
I. Never. Had. This
Book. Before. And
This. Book. Will. Help
Me. Out. A lot. And
It. Will.help. Me. With
My. Plants.
This is so awesome Ann! I’m going to print several of this to give as Mother’s Day Gifts along with some seed packs and gardening gloves. Thank you so much!
Such a great idea. Hope you don’t mike if I steal it from you.
Thank You for the Lovely garden Journal. Here in the North… gardening is still in planning stages!
I intend to have this printed up for my Daughter, who is just beginning her garden journey. I have nearly finished my journy down the garden path, so to speak, but can vicariously enjoy it still, through her adventures and trials in the garden
Thank You
May you have a Joyful Easter
Thank you so much for your Garden Journal – it’s just beautiful! I appreciate your instructions on how to put it together, and I’m looking forward to using it to make our garden one that I love to spend time in!
How pretty! I kept a map when I was beginning to plan things out— it was a wonderful occupation for me during the winter when I couldn’t plant yet.
Ann,
This is a beautiful work of art and a boon for any gardener to use. I have already printed mine out and will punch in the holes and put it in my binder. You did an excellent job on designing this. I love the front cover and the “contents” pages! Love the whole thing! I did plant some perennials last fall and have more to go into the ground now. I will look forward to journaling my escapades this summer and into next winter. Thanks so much.
Thank you so very much for this beautiful Garden Journal. Perfect timing. I appreciate all the hard work you put into making this gorgeous book. So very generous of you to share it with your subbies.
Hugs! 👩🌾🌷🦜🤗🦋
This is absolutely wonderful. Thank you! I too would write about my garden on pieces of paper or on my calendar. You have provided a perfect tool to keep me on track and “garden organized.”
Dear Ann, the Gardening Journal is beautiful. What a lot of work it must have been to create it!
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Wow! That journal is amazing. I can’t wait until planting season, coming soon I hope. Thanks for sharing.
What a generous gift you have given all of us gardeners. I can hardly wait to print and assemble the journal. Our last frost date here in central NJ is May 15th then I can start buying plants and journaling like crazy. You’re a Sweetheart and I thank you.
What a beautiful idea! I’m hoping to do more in the garden this year so this will be perfect!
Oh, Ann! What a gem you have offered us today! I’m sure it was a labor of love for you. I’ve never kept a garden journal, but now that I am retired and can put more time into my garden, I think it might be time to do so. I’m know it would be something that I would enjoy and would refer to time and again. Thank you so much.
Oh! Thank you so much for beautiful journal! My grandchildren and I are starting a Monarch butterfly garden this year. We got our first few plants yesterday! Your gift came just at the right moment! I will think of you every time I make an entry! Thank you, again. Naomi Starkey and The Littles❤️
Your journal cover is just beautiful. I have very little experience with printables, but I always save yours because if I ever do get around to using my printer I will have lots of projects waiting for me. Thanks for the step by step instructions, I will need them!
Oh how lovely! I don’t have a garden but this beautiful journal makes me want to get started as soon as possible! Thank you!
Thank you for this, it is lovely. I have kept a Garden Journal for years. Not as well organized as this I’m afraid. I have divided my large property into “room” to manage the work. Now, at 71, I am clearing some rooms! Can’t do it all any more. May your garden season be full of beautiful blooms, hearty tomatoes and no bugs! Well, except for pollinating bees!
What a lovely friendship gift you have created for all of us. Thank you so much, Ann.
Absolutely gorgeous resource. I can’t wait to to download this fabulous resource. It is just what I needed to keep track of our new landscaping plants, follow pruning and feeding schedules. Thank you so much, Ann. Love your blog and your decorating style.
The Garden Journal is fabulous. Had one years ago, even tracked weather with it but after 5 years could not find another so did not continue and really missed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love all the other printables you added to the end of the blog. You are truly the best and look forward to reading your blog. Sending a hug.