Free Garden Planner

Download our Free Garden Planner to organize your raised beds! Track seed sowing, soil health, and plan for loofahs, pumpkins, and flowers. Get your copy now!

I don’t know about you, but as soon as the sun starts peaking out a little longer each day, my brain immediately goes to one place: the backyard. I can already see the raised beds overflowing, the smell of fresh soil, and that first morning walk with a cup of coffee to see what sprouted overnight.

This year, I am leaning hard into being intentional. In the past, I’ve definitely been guilty of “impulse planting”—buying whatever looks cute at the nursery and then wondering where to put it. But for 2026? We are getting organized! My goal is to cover all the basics for my family’s dinner table, but I’m adding some “fun” projects that I am honestly giddy about.

The “Must-Haves” on My List

First off, we’re focusing on what we actually eat. There’s nothing like walking out to the backyard to grab ingredients for a fresh sauce or a side dish. But beyond the tomatoes and peppers, I have a few special projects:

• Loofah Plants: Yes, you can actually grow your own sponges! I am so excited to trellis these. They take a while to grow, but the payoff of having natural, homemade loofahs for the kitchen and shower is going to be so worth the wait.
• Baby Pumpkins: I’m already dreaming of fall. I want vines full of those adorable little pumpkins for the granddaughters to pick and for us to use as decor around the house.
• All the Flowers: A garden isn’t just about food; it’s about the soul! I’m planning on tucking flowers into every corner of my raised beds to help the pollinators and just to have fresh bouquets on the table every single day.

How I’m Keeping My Sanity (The Free Planner!)

As excited as I am, I know how quickly “excited” can turn into “overwhelmed” once the weeds start showing up. That’s why I finally sat down and put together a system to keep us all on track.

I created a Comprehensive Garden Planner that covers everything I realized I was missing in years past. It has a Seed Sowing Log (so I don’t forget when I started those loofahs!), a Soil Status tracker, and even a Seed Purchase Log so I don’t buy five packets of the same zinnias (guilty!). It even has a spot for Garden Goals so you can map out your raised bed layout before you ever get your hands dirty.

And because we’re friends, I want you to have it for free.

I’m giving this away to everyone who joins our Grounded in Thyme community newsletter. I want us to be able to swap stories, share what’s working, and maybe troubleshoot those tricky crops together.

Let’s Get Growing!

Whether you’re a pro or this is your very first raised bed, let’s make this the year we actually enjoy the process instead of just chasing the harvest.

Click right here to grab your free planner! Just pop in your email, and it’ll head straight to your inbox.

I can’t wait to hear what you’re planning to grow this year. Are you doing pumpkins too? Maybe some herbs for DIY mixes? Hit me up and let me know—I’ll be over here sketching out my raised bed grids and counting down the days until planting!

Beyond the planner, our gardening library is constantly growing with practical advice to help you cultivate a thriving homestead. Whether you are looking to master the art of growing bushy, fragrant basil
for your kitchen or need a step-by-step guide to starting seeds indoors
during the cooler months, we have you covered. We also dive deep into seasonal projects like winter sowing and creating functional herb gardens that serve both your family and the local pollinators. You can explore all of our gardening tips and tutorials here to find exactly what you need for your next backyard project!

Be sure and follow us on Pinterest for more inspiring ideas!

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