How do you keep track of what is planted where?

[MsFogi]

This is probably a ridiculous question but I am a rookie seed planter! Can any green fingered mners give me any tips on how you stay 'organised' about knowing what you have planted and where so that you don't end up planting something else on top of it (particularly where the thing you have planted won't flower for at least another year)? Do you simply have a map of the garden - if so, any tips on this remaining legible!!

You can get little labels to stick in the ground

I'm a novice too, I label everything! I use wooden lolly sticks, they are 150 for £4.99 on Amazon. No matter how much I think I will remember what something is, I won't.

Labels.

It's the only way.

I use the little black ones you write in with white ink.

(it makes the garden look like a garden centre, though )

Thanks all - lolly sticks ordered

I have 100s of the little plastic pots plants come in, so I’ve started carving the tops off and using them as ‘frames’ in the soil. Helps me with spacing and layout too.

I always manage to lose the label sticks (either the cats knock them out or I do and forget to put them back in)

Memory, luck and regular photos so I can see where perennials and bulbs were last year.

I can't use labels as I have a naughty dog who steals them.

I find it also helps to have a box where you throw all the plant labels that come with the plant when (if) you buy it. They are often not suitable for popping in the ground (too big etc) but it is useful to have them to refer back to.

Largely I don't, at home, and rely on knowing what seedlings look like having been gardening for a while.
Work garden, still getting to know what's in it as haven't had a full year yet./