The gardening journal is perhaps the best kept secret of all time. Irrespective of size or shape, you would have to be insane not to scribble down some notes of what, when, where, how it grew and/or what was a complete nightmare those artichokes were!

I have been accused of many things in my lifetime. However, call me what you may, when the season resumes in a few short months you will be beside yourself with joy having the previous years plan before you, clear and concise.

Yes, you could go out and spend what you choose on an inspirational museum piece. I have no problem with that. However, for me, it is simply an old looseleaf, some graph paper, a pencil and eraser. It's in my genes. My father, a rather successful architect, sketched on the back of a napkin. He taught me life can be so simple if you simply choose it to be.

And so, as the catalogs pile up, tempted as I might be, I sit at the old oak table and sketch. Simple and childlike I seem to always know where something has been and where it should go before I become immersed within the new news of the day. Crop rotation is imperative, no matter how small the garden might be. Without these primitive stick figures I have not a clue.

Just remember...

1. Red for tomatoes

2. Orange for carrots

3. Green for peppers

4. Light green for beans

5. Pink and red for radish

6. Lettuce....a psychedelic palatte

Crop rotation is essential. Start drawing and coloring. Just be a kid again. It works!