Where did 2005 go? Can you believe we&8217;re into another year already?

Once again, I am trying to remember all of the great things that happened in my garden last year. I realize that, as usual, I will forget much of what goes on in my landscape if I don&8217;t get better organized. Unfortunately many of my so called &8220;mental notes&8221; seem to get placed in file 13 of my brain.

I know from past experiences that the key to having a successful and beautiful garden is doing the right tasks at the right time of year.

The easiest way to keep track of gardening events is to have a calendar dedicated for notes and reminders on the subject.

I know that computers have fancy calendar programs on them, but for gardening, I prefer to use the type that simply hangs on a wall.

Every year, one of my resolutions is to be more organized. I know that being so would result in more efficiency in my garden.

This year, I will note certain dates, such as when I sow seeds, how long they take to germinate and flower or fruit. I&8217;m also going to keep records of types and timings of fertilizers that I apply.

Keeping track of when disease or insects appear on certain plants and when they really became a problem will surely be helpful the following year as far as prevention.

Some diseases are highly predictable when correlated with bloom dates. My husband (a golf course greenkeeper) always says that one particular disease attacks bentgrass greens when the dogwoods have been blooming for one week. Believe me; he noted the flowering dates of dogwoods every year on his calendar when he grew that type of turfgrass, in anticipation of the problem.

Taking the time to note any special occasions planned for the New Year is also important as far as the landscape is concerned. A birthday party, special dinner or holiday event will all be enhanced by making landscape plans well beforehand. If you&8217;ve got any events like these scheduled at your residence in the next few months, trust me, it is not too early to start planning for them.

Needless to say, much more money is spent on last minute fix ups (and the results are rarely as nice) than when events are planned for in advance.

A flowerbed full of tiny, newly watered periwinkle transplants in April will never look as lovely as a garden full of the many plants that grow through the winter in the Miss-Lou and really put on a show in spring.

Likewise, an early September garden planted with small pansy plants never looks as beautiful as bed full of mature, heat-loving periwinkle.

Growing plants to use for cut flowers, edible flowers, culinary herbs, garnishes or other uses takes time, but the results are well worth it.

Often it&8217;s what&8217;s perceived as the little things that make events the most special. With a little foresight and a calendar, I know I&8217;ve got a much better chance at success all the way around.

I&8217;m sure that my garden will reap the benefits of my note taking and planning ahead this year. I hope yours will too.

Happy New Year!

Traci maier

writes a weekly column about gardening in the Miss-Lou.