Does anyone use a computer program to help with organization

I was wonerding how does one organize all this info about harvest time, time to plant, seeds, right conditions... Is there anything that can be helpful? Do you write a journal?

Thanks,
Michelle

I write a vegetable diary yearly. I use excell as a database for all you mentioned with tabbed pages. MSOffice is good.

I designede a complete gardening database in MS Access. It was great for some things. However, I don't really want to drag my laptop out to the garden and use it with muddy hands. I know juste use it to print out lists of my plants and then use the paper system in the field.

I definitely do a garden journal.....helps to remember peak planting times from years past; espiecially if I do something like fall carrots this year and I haven't done them for the last 4 or 5 years. Sounds like old age (poor memory) is gaining on me! I'm with Jefe on the laptop outside in the dirt!

This is an excellent resource for keeping records of seed etc.
SeedPlanner is a growing season planning program, designed to help you become a better grower of plants from seed. You can Download an evaluation version of the software; the evaluation version, which has some disabled functionality, can be used as long as you wish.
Gary/Louisville

http://www.seedplanner.com/

Thanks, Gary! I think I can use this one.

Thanks everyone. I will try that also Gary. I have been using the paper system and a big calendar. But i had to replant a lot of things and had to go through it all again.
I will tell you how it works out.

Michelle

DG provides a free journal (where you can inventory each plant and keep up with it) and a free diary/blog, where you can record daily notes: http://davesgarden.com/journal/

Here's a list of garden software vendors: http://davesgarden.com/gwd/advanced.php?category=86&submit=Go

And here's a list of actual software and journals you can buy: http://davesgarden.com/gbw/advanced.php?category=90&submit=Go

I just use a regular Excel spreadsheet on my computer.

I also use an excel spreadsheet to track what I planted, the conditions and the outcome. It helps me keep track of the different varieties over the years.

I've used Excel in the past but prefer a notebook type journal. Nothing fancy, but it keeps track of when I start my plants, when I set them out, high temps, etc., as shown below. You just have to remember to write them down every time you work in the garden.

BigRed--
I have to admit I use the same type of system!
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Works great for me, I can go back and count days to how long it takes for first ripe tomato, etc. It also lets me look back to last year to see when I started plants inside, set them out, first and last frosts, and so on.

I write the variety name on the plastic seedling pot when I sow the seeds. Then I draw a plot map in a note book for tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes noting where each is transplanted. I have many varieties of each so I want to know what they are. Everything else is in my head....many many years of experience in seasonal dates.