Was the garden a success?

Colleagues,

Spring is here, and I’m thinking about all of the things I want to do in my garden. It is really tempting to just start planting things, but before I begin this season, I need to reflect on last season. This process of reflection is a form of evaluation.
 
In its simplest form, evaluation is determining if things went the way you had planned.
 
In order to evaluate, we need two things:

1. Criteria to decide how things went
2. Data (information) to determine if we met the criteria

 
When I’m thinking about last year’s garden, and whether or not it was a success, I need to first identify the criteria for success. What did I want from my garden?

1. Spending time outdoors?
2. Eating my own food?
3. Saving money?
4. Therapy?

 
Understanding my own expectations allows me to identify what data I need.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick