If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years in my edible & herbal backyard food forest, it’s this: never, ever give up. Some seasons will surprise you with abundance, and others will humble you with lessons. But every single year—the good, the bad, and the buggy—brings experience, growth, and wisdom that you can build on.

Here’s the secret that separates those who struggle from those who thrive: JOURNAL, JOURNAL, JOURNAL!

Why Journaling Is an Absolute Must

Your garden is alive. It changes every year—the weather, the soil, the pests, even you. If you don’t write things down, you’ll forget what worked and what didn’t. Journaling is like keeping a personal gardening blueprint that gets more valuable with each passing season.

When you jot down your planting dates, harvest times, pest problems, weather patterns, and even your emotions about how things went—you’re giving yourself a gift. Next year, when you look back, you’ll remember exactly what to tweak, what to repeat, and what to change. Invest in yourself!

Instead of starting from scratch each season, you’ll be building from experience—your own hard-earned, homegrown wisdom.

Draw It Out—Every Inch Counts

One of the best things you can add to your garden journal is a hand-drawn map of your land. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just take a piece of paper and sketch the outline of your space. Include trees, garden beds, paths, compost areas, water spigots, and even shaded spots.

Be as specific as you can. Write down which plants are where, what direction the sun hits each area, and where you notice wind or water drainage issues. I have included an entire chapter about SUN PLACEMENT, and the importance of THINKING AHEAD in my Edible & Herbal Food Forest Guide, because it's THAT IMPORTANT!

This visual record becomes gold later on. When you go back to plant next season, you’ll see exactly how everything played out—where plants thrived, where they struggled, and what spaces need improvement.

Over time, your map evolves into a living story of your land. You’ll see how it’s changed, how it’s grown, and how you’ve transformed it year after year.

This process helps you make smarter choices too—like not planting sun-loving herbs in last year’s shaded corner or remembering which spot gets too soggy after heavy rains. It’s like your food forest is talking to you through your notes and sketches!

Mistakes Are the Best Teachers

We all make mistakes in the garden—I’ve made plenty! Maybe you planted too close, watered too much, or forgot to prune. But here’s the truth: mistakes are not failures. They’re how we learn.

Each “oops” moment becomes a stepping stone when you write it down. You’ll look back and say, “Ah, that’s why that didn’t work!” And just like that, your next year’s garden improves.

JUST REMEMBER: There’s Always Next Year

The beauty of gardening is that it gives us a fresh start every single season. Nature forgives. The soil renews. Seeds sprout again. So don’t be discouraged if your garden didn’t turn out exactly how you hoped this year—because there’s always next year!

And when next year comes, your journal will be your roadmap—a record of your growth, your creativity, and your determination to keep going.

So grab a notebook (or start a digital one), and make journaling part of your gardening ritual. Record your triumphs, your troubles, your surprises, and your secrets. Over time, it becomes more than a log—it becomes the story of your Edible and Herbal Food Forest journey.

Because the real harvest isn’t just the food you grow—it’s the wisdom you gain along the way. 

Speaking of wisdom, I've compiled all of mine on this topic and MANY more chapters in my Edible and Herbal Food Forest Guide! Let me give you a helping hand by avoiding the typical pitfalls I've seen others go through time and again!

Always remember:

The Future Is Worth The Patience Of The Present

-Michele

The Homemade Gardener