The Four Raised Beds & Patio Herbs Journal

March to October Season, 20____

Name: ____________________________________________

Garden location: ____________________________________________

Start date: ____________________________________________

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"Remember what went where, count what came in, and enjoy the time out there."

About This Journal

This journal follows one season, March to October, in four phases: Plan (around March), Plant (around April–May), Grow (around June–August), and Harvest & Wind-down (around September–October). Shift the phases to match your actual weather. Each phase has a checklist and reflection prompts. Photocopy the weekly log page and use it every week. The trackers in the middle cover your three main goals: a Bed Rotation Record for planning next year's beds, a Harvest Log for measuring what you actually pick, and a Zucchini Watch log to help you spot a pattern behind the July wilting.

Assumptions I made:

• The year is left blank so you can fill it in.
• Varieties are left blank for every crop except your three tomatoes. Add them as you go.
• I don't know which bed your garlic is in, so there's a space to record it.
• A seed-starting log is included in case you start any seeds indoors. Skip it if you buy transplants.

My Garden at a Glance

Sun hours, Beds: ____________________________________________

Sun hours, Patio: ____________________________________________

Soil in raised beds (mix, amendments, last refreshed): ____________________________________________

Potting mix for herb pots: ____________________________________________

Water source (hose, rain barrel, drip, watering can): ____________________________________________

Number of raised beds: 4 Bed sizes: ____________________________________________

Number of patio pots: ________ Pot sizes: ____________________________________________

Soil test done? (date and notes): ____________________________________________

My average last frost date: __________ (check your local extension service or a trusted frost-date tool)

My average first fall frost date: __________ (same sources)

Sketch Your Layout Here

Mark north, write each plant's name in the bed where it's growing, and note anything tall that casts shade.

                         N  ↑

   BED 1                         BED 2
 +---------------------------+  +---------------------------+
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 +---------------------------+  +---------------------------+
   Border: ________________       Border: ________________


   BED 3                         BED 4
 +---------------------------+  +---------------------------+
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 |                           |  |                           |
 +---------------------------+  +---------------------------+
   Border: ________________       Border: ________________


   PATIO POTS
   ( Rosemary )   ( Basil )   ( Parsley )   (      )   (      )

   Notes (paths, fence, trees, hose spot):
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

Plant Inventory

Fill in "Where planted" with a bed number or "Patio pot." This table feeds your rotation plan for next year.

Season Planning Spread

My average last frost date: __________ (check your local extension service or a trusted frost-date tool)

My average first fall frost date: __________

Phase 1: Plan (around March)

• Write down what grew in each bed last year (see the Bed Rotation Record)
• Decide which bed gets tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and beans this year
• Note which bed the garlic is in, since it will be occupied until midsummer
• Check your seed stash and note what's left on the Wishlist page
• Order seeds or plan where you'll buy transplants
• Look up your local frost dates and write them above
• Consider a soil test through your local extension service
• Plan to top up the raised beds with compost or fresh soil
• Check on the garlic shoots and pull any early weeds
• Check the overwintered rosemary and note how it looks
• Clean and gather pots, cages, stakes, and trellis for the cucumbers
• Sketch this year's layout on the Garden at a Glance page
• If you start seeds indoors, set up lights and trays and start a seed log

Phase 2: Plant (around April–May)

• Harden off tomato and basil seedlings gradually before transplanting
• Wait until frost danger has passed for tender plants (tomatoes, basil, zucchini, cucumbers, beans)
• Set tomato cages or stakes at planting time, not later
• Put the cucumber trellis in place before sowing or planting
• Direct sow bush beans once the soil has warmed
• Plan to sow more beans every few weeks if you want a longer harvest
• Plant zucchini with room for airflow, and note the spot on the layout
• Plant marigold and nasturtium borders