Spring into your garden with these four apps
With the cold wintry weather finally beginning to subside for another year, people finally have a chance to put the box sets away and end their indoor hibernation. For many, it’s time to tackle that garden after a prolonged period of necessary neglect. Fear not! We have 4 gardening app suggestions to help everyone from a gardening greenhorn to the horticultural aficionado. Flip the information cards below for more information
The Vegetable Grower's Handbook
by
Klaus Laitenberger
"Extremely detailed app - great pictures and descriptions of exactly how to sow and harvest tons of vegetables, with an emphasis on how much to grow to feed a family. Very useful."
User Review
Horticulturalist Rooted in Irish Soil
What Klaus Laitenberger doesn't know about gardening probably isn't worth knowing. Writer of three critically-acclaimed books, lecturer at UCC and owner of a seed company specializing in seeds best suited for the Irish climate, Klaus' app brings the user through the gardening process in an easily understood and beneficial manner.
Its comprehensive gardeners' guide to growing over 50 vegetables is ideal for enthusiastic amateur gardeners, and experienced professionals alike.
"This app," Klaus tells us, "is ideal for any keen vegetable grower and everything you need to know about sowing, planting, growing and harvesting vegetables is available step by step at your fingertips."
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=com.ticktockdesign.gvs&hl=en
Klaus is also Ireland's People4Soil spokesperson. The People4Soil campaign aims to raise awareness about the danger and lack of protection our soil faces. A petition to raise 8,250 Irish signatures has been set up to make the EU put a directive in place to protect our land. 1,000,000 signatures are required across seven member states for a directive to be considered and implemented.
A Vegetable Grower's Handbook
by Klaus Laitenberger
"Extremely detailed app - great pictures and descriptions of exactly how to sow and harvest tons of vegetables, with an emphasis on how much to grow to feed a family. Very useful."
User Review
Horticulturalist Rooted in Irish Soil
This is where the text for the back of your card should go.
Click her to learn more about the People4Soil campaign and petition
Growmatic
by
Kyra McKenna and
Quickcrop, Ballymote, Sligo.
"I found this app really useful in my garden. Really helped me keep track and an eye on my plants. Recommended"
User Review
A Timeline to Perfect Fruit and Veg
Quickcrop have been offering their produce and expertise to a growing market since 2008. Set up by Andrew Davidson and Niall Mc Allister in response to the growing interest people had in growing their own food, Quickcrop started giving professional advice and offering organic produce. Their website has helpful videos, blogs and tutorials for all types of gardening enthusiasts.
"We believe the healthiest and best tasting food grow in the best soils, it is the key to successful organic growing. We can help you improve your gardens so you can grow strong and vigourous plants which aren't prone to attack from pests and diseases," say Andrew and Niall. Fore more about Quickcrop follow the link. https://www.quickcrop.ie/about-us
Growmatic, available for iPhone customers, gives the user a timeline on a number of plants that thrive in the Irish climate. It takes you from seed to dinner plate, offering advice and tips along the way.
Click here to download Growmatic
Plantifier
by
TrendsCo. Solutions
"I uploaded a photo and had multiple people identify my cut down bush/tree when it was barely blooming. Now that spring has hit and it started sprouting I can tell they were all correct. Hopefully will be helpful with my others. "
User Review
Picture Perfect Plants
If you are like me and don't know a weed from a plant or are a more astute gardener but struggle to differentiate between your hydrangea and Impatiens bequaertii, Plantifier is the app for you.
It can identify photos you take of garden plants, shrubs, trees and bulbs. The user adds a short description with each recognition request after taking a picture of the whole plant, tree or shrub.
The users of the MyGarden.org community behind this free tool will try to recognise the plant photo as soon as possible and give you an answer to your question.
As a user, it also lets you make suggestions on what the name of plants might be.
Admittedly, it is not an Irish-specific app and may struggle identifying some of our indigenous plants but could still be useful.
Click here to download Plantifier
Garden Design Ideas
by
Naixious Lifestyle
"Lovely photos Just what I wanted, garden photos I could save on my phone and browse at my leisure."
User Review
Seeing is Believing
The old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand" rings true with this garden design app. It contains a plethora of images and ideas for the user to explore. If your green fingers have a good grasp on planting and you're worried about your garden's aesthetics this is the app for you. You won't need to wait for Bloom or catch a plane to the Chelsea Flower Show to get inspired.
It provides various types of garden design ideas and decorating advice. It covers a variety of garden types, gardens with patio, balcony garden ideas, decorative bridge design, modern or classic pathways and herb garden design ideas. The images come with descriptions and tips on how best to go about using them in your own green space.
Similarly to Plantifier, you can share ideas and pictures you like with friends and fellow downloaders.
Click here to download Garden Designs Ideas
How About You?
Know of any useful gardening websites or apps to help out in the garden? Drop your suggestions into the comments section below. Follow the link to sign the People4Soil petition.
About the Author
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