In the Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic (PIDC), we get samples every year of sick plants for which I always wish I had more information. My patients, the plants, can't talk to me to tell me about what has been happening in the garden. I rely on information from clients. And when it comes to information on plants regarding plant health, there is no such thing as too much information.
Why recordkeeping matters
Monitoring and keeping track of your garden will help you detect small irregularities before they become major. Having notes and photos to reference provides for present-year comparisons to help track the development of plant health problems, should they arise. Symptom onset and progression are two key clues that aid in plant health problem assessment.
Garden Journaling
Recordkeeping through notes and photos goes by another name- garden journaling. Whether you're using a designated notebook or using your smartphone to take photos and add captions, the following is a list of things you might consider documenting for your records or journal:
- Planting details: dates, cultivars, garden location
- Weather: rainfall amounts, dates, temperature extremes, drought periods, etc.
- Soil: fertilizer type and date, compost additions and source, etc.
- Care: watering schedule, changes for weather, pesticides (active ingredient, rate, date)
- Plant health: when the problem first appeared, symptom description, progression, etc.
- See our Yard and Garden write-up about garden journaling for a more detailed list of ideas for a garden journal.
Photos- Invaluable Clues
As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Why get frustrated trying to describe something in writing when you can show what is happening in pictures? Of course, pictures are only useful if you take them.
The most common time to take pictures in the garden is when plants are looking particularly beautiful or tasty. I'm now encouraging you to pull out your camera and start taking photos whenever you notice something gone awry, no matter how seemingly minor. And take progress photos over time to document any changes in the observed issue. See our guide to taking photos of plant problems!
Photos are invaluable clues for plant diagnosticians, helping identify patterns, progression, and other environmental factors that can contribute to plant health problems. Think of your camera as an additional gardening tool to use for recordkeeping!
Be a Garden Detective
In the PIDC, our ability to solve plant health problems is limited by the quality of the plant sample and the accompanying information we receive. By keeping notes on your garden and snapping pictures to document both beauty and blemish, you will be well-equipped with clues to bridge the knowledge gap for diagnosticians in the lab. You are your garden's best detective. We are counting on you to collect clues!
P.S. Be sure to follow the guidelines on sample collection, preparation, and submission! And when in doubt, reach out! pidc@iastate.edu
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