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Last Christmas, Santa left a little gem of a digital camera under my tree. I must have been a very good girl that year, or a name tag got mixed. Now I carry it everywhere, especially when I go for walks on trails or in other gardens. I snap away at any plant I wish to research or remember. Today I caught my favorite garden view with a miraculous dusting of snow. As soon as there was a break in the falling flakes, I grabbed my heavy coat and hat and went out to snap a few shots. Snow in Texas is definitely worth recording.

The best is when I need that one photo for my garden journal.  To preserve that one perfect boom that comes along.  With a digital camera I can immediately see the image, and if it is not what I want, I just snap another.   
Photo December 2004 - Scarlet Sage planted earlier this year

I have always made a photo record of my gardens.  I love to look through and remind myself just how small of frail some plants are at the start.  It is a great way of reminding yourself that the shade tree you are patiently waiting for is really growing quite well.  I use photos during the quiet winter months to help me plan adjustments to the garden.

This year’s winter project is to organize all the information and photos I have judiciously gathered for the past three years about the building of our Texas garden.  This will be a gift to my grandchildren.  Often I hear people talk about their childhood memories in their grandparent’s garden.  I loved teaching my children, and theirs, how to garden.  Working as an intern at the Children’s Vegetable Garden this past year brought back many fond memories.  It is so wonderful to see the sense of accomplishment on the children’s faces when their seed start to grow and produce.

When we first moved here, my son brought his children and we had lots of adventures in the yard and by the lake.  I made a small story book for them to take to school and share.  It had pictures of the plants, birds and insects they encountered in Texas.  It was a big hit with their Massachusetts friends.  

  Joanne, Shady Shores