If the phrase “organized chaos” was in the dictionary, my mug would be next to it.
Organized chaos: the state of trying to be put together, when it ain’t happening below the surface.
Symptoms include:
- Having a place for everything and nothing in its place.
- Having systems for all organization, but nothing simple enough to actually stick to.
- Having paperwork, pay stubs and other materials all over the house, albeit out of sight.
- Having a stash of things that you “just have to get around to filing/putting away,” until you finally just give up and pitch it.
If Ryan asks me where something is, I can never find it -even though I have spent hours and day and weekends organizing drawers, closets and cabinets. The problem is – I have no real method to my madness.
Part of the problem is that I have too many systems and don’t keep track of them very well. But, I’m trying to fix this. I think it’s just something that I need to work on.
When it comes to gardening, I’ve been trying to keep it under control from the beginning. How?
1. Carving out my very own space to garden.
Ryan built me a space in the garage for all my gardening tools. If you know Ryan, you know this was a sacrifice – giving up prime space in his domain. I think this may be the sweetest thing he’s done for his wife. (And that’s really saying something.)
He put in a countertop and I put all my tools in a bucket organizer. The little blue cart was a birthday gift from my inlaws. It’s perfect to tote around the yard. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a perfect height to pot plants and keep everything at hand.
I also painted this little sign for my special area. (Patting myself on the back.)
I also painted this little sign for my special area. (Patting myself on the back.)
2. Label, label and label some more.
In my veggie garden, rain garden and herb pots, I have labeled them right away so I don’t forget what I’ve planted. It makes it look neater as well, which is a plus. Plus – friends and family can easily see what is where.
3. Write it down.
Finally, I knew I needed to find a place to put all the info I’m learning – class handouts, information from the Internet, inspiration photos… So, I started a little gardening journal.
I picked up this handy Five Star hybrid binder. I call it hybrid because it feels like a notebook but it has pockets, lined paper, graph paper, clear sleeves and more.
So, this means I can track all my gardening adventures in one place. (My tabs break up veggie/herb gardening, rain garden, general gardening, miscellaneous and garden inspiration.)
Things I’m keeping track of include:
- Dates that I plant veggies and herbs in the garden.
- Updates on how plants are growing.
- Where plants were purchased (I’d like to track how they fare against each other. Is it worth spending more at an expensive garden center over the supermarket over the farmer’s market?)
- Diagrams of the different garden plots.
- Tags from the plants for specific plant information (species, light preference, etc.)
- Garden inspiration photos from magazines and the Internet.
- The most important information I’m learning from books, classes and online. (It’s not big enough for all of the materials I bring home from classes, so I just keep the best and file the rest in an expanding file for future reference.)
I actually think these are things I can stick to.
Do you have any handy tips for staying organized when gardening?
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Fancy says
I just purchased the hybrid notebook last night, thinking about making a home management binder with it. Might just have to get another one for gardening! <3
Freckles Chick says
LOL, I use the term organized chaos all the time…..to describe my hair. Seriously, it’s like a birds nest on most days.
I need to acquire a green thumb first and then hopefully I can move onto your level of organization. I kinda sorta really really want you to be my life coach. (Was that out loud?)
Jill says
I’ve basically been putting all my info in a file folder, so you are way ahead of me : ) But I do plan on incorporating some of the same things as your journal — mine is just isn’t as cool as yours : ) I finally got most of my stuff planted this weekend so I’ll have to get some more pics up : ) yay!
Amber says
Tony is the one who organizes stuff around here, so I don’t have any tips. Just wanted to say how great everything looks.
Emily says
Um, organized chaos describes my existence to a tee. Only I call it imperfection. Your garden is going to be amazing with all of your plans and things in place!
Kristin says
Wow, I really need some of your organizational mojo for my yard and my house. Everything looks fab!
Katie says
holy crap. You are so organized and on top of stuff. If I looked up ‘mother earth’s mother’ I am sure your picture would be there as her caretaker…amazing.
Melissa says
I don’t have any tips, but wanted to say “go, you!” It looks great- I wish my gardening area was organized!