Photo archives are interesting, and informative in ways that you might not think about. Those masses of shots that are stored on your hard drive have valuable information hiding in them.
Especially if you are a gardener, lurking in ever blurry, or beautiful shot, is a date, and a record of what size that plant was last year, or the year before, or the years before that. A visual recording of when it bloomed, when it turned color with the changing season, and when it popped out green shoots in spring.
Of course this can only happen if you actually take the photos of your garden, and store them in your archives.
Plants that didn't make it through the winter will jog your memory next summer when you glance at the previous years photos, and realize that there truly is a blank spot at that end of the garden.
Wondering if your pyracantha's brilliant orange berries were more prolific last year? Or did the birds already eat them this year? Check the archives. When did the daffs first come up last spring? Check the archives. What color was the hanging basket at the front door, two years ago? Blue, purple, pink?
Make it a habit to record your garden as the seasons change, you might be very glad that you took a few minutes to record the beautiful blossoms in the dead of winter.
So grab the camera, and make today, one for next year.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
One for next year....
Photo archives are interesting, and informative in ways that you might not think about. Those masses of shots that are stored on your hard drive have valuable information hiding in them.
Especially if you are a gardener, lurking in ever blurry, or beautiful shot, is a date, and a record of what size that plant was last year, or the year before, or the years before that. A visual recording of when it bloomed, when it turned color with the changing season, and when it popped out green shoots in spring.
Of course this can only happen if you actually take the photos of your garden, and store them in your archives.
Plants that didn't make it through the winter will jog your memory next summer when you glance at the previous years photos, and realize that there truly is a blank spot at that end of the garden.
Wondering if your pyracantha's brilliant orange berries were more prolific last year? Or did the birds already eat them this year? Check the archives. When did the daffs first come up last spring? Check the archives. What color was the hanging basket at the front door, two years ago? Blue, purple, pink?
Make it a habit to record your garden as the seasons change, you might be very glad that you took a few minutes to record the beautiful blossoms in the dead of winter.
So grab the camera, and make today, one for next year.
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Hmmm yup, same stuff that didn't get watered last year didn't get watered this year. That's what I thought.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I know this is a good idea. I recently looked at some garden photos from quite a few years back and realized I liked the less full version to the overgrown way it was now and cleared out a whole area.
I've been doing the same visiting my iphoto library and thinking about them, Jen...and have learned a huge amount of information about when plants bloomed....etc. What a record keeping system. gail
ReplyDeleteI do need to organize my photos......it is a great tool for jogging the old memory!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Jen, I love your photo collage - the greens and oranges are so pretty together. I always think my shrubs especially are slow growing until I look at previous years' photos and realize just how much they have grown. Hope you are having a good week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful Fall collage Jen!
ReplyDeleteJust love this one.
Photos are as you stated a wonderful way to keep a records of your garden.
That is great advise.
ReplyDeletePatsy
I live in a place with LONG winters and my photos really help me to not be depressed. I can look at my garden in an album and remember that my garden will not always be sleeping.
ReplyDeleteThis colllage is nice! Very good colors. I am going to have to make one, I haven't in a while. thanks
Rosey
Love the autumn collage! We don't have much of a garden, but I do like taking photos of the glorious countryside around us.
ReplyDeleteI don't organize my photos nearly as much as I should. I even started a gardening scrapbook but haven't been keeping up with it. I should though because it does save time for the following year. -Jackie
ReplyDeleteI think it is very helpful to look at even current photos of your garden in order to be objective. For example, I am realizing from photos that I like some breathing space in the areas where there are architectural plants such as topiaries. However, when I am out there, I just want to fill the empty spaces. A little distance that the photos offer may give me the perspective I need in my planning. (And maybe some discipline! :))
ReplyDeleteThat collage is breathtaking. I absolutely love the colors in it...subtle, muted shades... so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and you do not have to worry about labels on stakes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder! It's always a great idea to keep records. I'm always amazed at how quickly our gardens change! Loved your collage of photos!
ReplyDeleteI love keeping track of one year to the next..it is one of those things that I am very compulsive about! :)
ReplyDeletethat's so true. I used to keep a diary documenting blooming times, frosts, and all sort of things though stopped doing that about 3 or 4 years ago. But when we look back either in print or in photo, it's amazing to see the previous years' progression.
ReplyDelete