Share
In an era where technology is literally at our fingertips, gardeners and landscaping experts are always looking for new and inventive ways to improve their gardens using mobile phones. Gone are the days of guesswork when it comes to nurturing your garden and identifying plants. Whether you’re planning your own landscape, seeking design inspiration, or simply trying to identify that mysterious flora in your backyard, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we will look at the top 11 best garden planning apps and plant identifiers that will revolutionise the way you interact with your green space. From garden planning and 3D design to plant recognition, these digital tools will transform your gardening experience and lifestyle.
Why Use Garden Planning Apps
Even if you are still learning the ropes of gardening, there’s always room for a helping hand, especially when it comes to mobile apps, which are literally accessible at your fingertips. In today’s digital age, where there’s an app for virtually everything, it’s no surprise that gardening has plenty of online tools available too. There are countless garden planning apps at your disposal, each that offer a unique feature to make your gardening experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Design and Plan Your Garden
Garden planning apps make it a breeze to visualise your dream garden in 3D, experiment with different layouts, and schedule planting and care activities. You can tailor your garden to your exact preferences, ensuring that every plant finds its perfect spot.
Effortless Plant Management
Keeping track of your plants’ needs and progress has never been simpler. Landscape gardening design apps offer a convenient way to record vital information about your plants. From the type of soil they prefer to their watering schedule, everything is neatly organised and easy to access.
Now, with these factors in mind, let’s look at the 11 best garden planning apps:
1. Candide
Candide isn’t your typical garden planning app; it’s a digital platform where your love for plants can truly flourish. More than just a plant identifier, Candide invites you into a vibrant community of fellow plant lovers.
Here’s why this app is a must-have for every gardener:
- Community Connection: Candide opens the garden gates to a community of plant lovers. It’s the perfect platform to share your gardening experiences, seek advice from experts, and showcase your personal gardening triumphs and challenges.
- Extensive Plant Library: Candide has an extensive plant library that can answer your every botanical query, from identifying rare species to understanding their unique care requirements.
- Garden Exploration: What truly sets Candide apart from other garden planning apps on this list is its ability to transport you into a world of breathtaking gardens. Use the app’s garden map feature to discover an array of public and private gardens in the UK.
Visit Candide.
2. Moon and Garden
For the eco-conscious gardener, Moon and Garden is a great tool to use. This app balances your gardening activities with the phases of the moon.
Here’s why it’s a gardener’s best friend:
- Lunar Calendar: Moon and Garden’s standout feature is its lunar calendar. It guides you on when to sow, transplant, or harvest based on the moon’s cycles.
- Weather Insights: Get precise weather and humidity information tailored to your location, making it easier to plan and adapt your gardening tasks accordingly.
- Community and Tips: Connect with a community of like-minded gardeners, and participate in a forum to share your lunar gardening experiences.
Available on iOS and Android
3. myGarden
Are you eager to enhance your gardening skills? myGarden may be the perfect (online) gardening tool for you.
Here’s why myGarden is your perfect gardening mentor:
- Step-by-Step Tutorials: myGarden offers free, easy-to-follow gardening tutorials, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- Progress Tracking: Keep tabs on your garden’s development with the journal area. Record your observations, add tasks, and set reminders to ensure your plants are never neglected.
- Flora Library: Access a complete library of flora to diversify your garden.
With myGarden by your side, you’ll gain knowledge, track your garden’s journey, and create a thriving, vibrant outdoor space.
Explore myGarden.
4. Plantnet
Have you ever encountered an unfamiliar plant and wished you could identify it instantly? Plantnet is your global botanical encyclopaedia, available in over 27 languages.
Here’s why it’s your passport to the world of plants:
- Global Plant Database: Plantnet offers immediate access to a vast database of plants from around the world. You can easily snap a photo of any plant from any location, and the app will work its magic.
- Invasive Species Identification: This app isn’t just for plant experts; it’s also a valuable tool for conservation. Plantnet’s community of plant lovers has contributed to identifying invasive species, aiding in vital conservation efforts.
Every picture you upload to Plantnet contributes to a better understanding of plant biodiversity. So, if you spot a fascinating plant during your travels, snap a photo, and let Plantnet unravel the botanical mysteries.
Discover Plantnet
Birds can bring many benefits to your garden, but they can also cause problems too. Find out about the top bird deterrents to keep birds out of your garden naturally.
5. Google Lens
Google Lens is great when it comes to quick and effortless plant identification.
Here’s why it’s a game-changer for plant lovers:
- Instant Recognition: Google Lens lets you identify plants with a snap. Simply right-click on a photo, and let Google work its magic. For Apple users, this feature is seamlessly integrated into the latest products.
- Mobile App Convenience: If you’re not using an Apple device, you can download the Google Lens app, which extends the plant identification capabilities to photos in your phone’s gallery.
Google Lens is your on-the-go plant identification platform, simplifying the process of recognising flora and fauna effortlessly.
Explore Google Lens today.
6. Garden Journal
Experience is sometimes the best teacher when it comes to gardening, and the Garden Journal ensures you learn and grow with every planting. Here’s why this app is a valuable gardening tool for you:
- Complete Record Tracking: Use this free app to keep complete records of what you’ve planted, when you planted it, and crucial care details such as watering and fertilisation.
- Disease and Pest Database: The app also provides a valuable resource to identify and address common garden issues, helping you tackle pests and diseases effectively.
- Climate-Based Advice: The app utilises climate data to provide personalised planting advice specific to your location, ensuring your gardening activities are well-suited to your region.
- Garden Planner Upgrade: For those looking to take their gardening to the next level, there’s an optional package available on the app for an annual fee. It allows you to draw garden plans of any size, receive planting reminders via email, and connect with fellow gardeners.
Explore Garden Journal today.
7. Garden Manager
If you’re creating an edible garden, the Garden Manager app is your virtual gardening coach. Here’s why it’s a must-have for those growing their own produce:
- Guided Gardening: Garden Manager takes you from planting to harvest with ease. It guides you through a series of questions, ensuring you’re on the right track throughout the season.
- Subscriptions: The app offers three subscriptions that cater to your gardening needs. Get reminders about essential tasks and stay informed about when to cover tender plants in case of frost.
- Progress Tracking: Monitor your gardening progress with precision. The app allows you to track your plants’ measurements on a graph, providing valuable insights into their growth.
Garden Manager is your dedicated companion for maximising the productivity of your edible garden.
Discover Garden Manager now.
In order to do landscaping the right way, check out our recommendations for the best lawn edging ideas.
8. GrowIt!
For those who prefer a community-centric approach to gardening, GrowIt! is the ideal mobile app. Here’s why it’s a favourite among plant lovers:
- Interactive Community: Connect with fellow plant lovers by uploading images of your plants and seeking identification, troubleshooting advice, or answers to garden design questions.
- Local Resources: Discover local botanical gardens and nurseries in your area, making it easier to find inspiration and source plants for your garden projects.
- Plant Giveaways: Participate in periodic plant giveaways, adding a delightful element of surprise to your gardening.
GrowIt! thrives on the wisdom of its community, making it the perfect app for those who value shared knowledge.
Explore GrowIt!
9. Garden Tags
Garden Tags is more than just an app; it’s your opportunity to visit a vibrant gardening community and a vast encyclopaedia of plant knowledge.
Here’s why it’s an indispensable tool for any gardener:
- Plant Image Repository: With over 20,000 plants registered on the platform, Garden Tags offers plenty of plant information. You can not only access complete plant profiles but also contribute by sharing your own plant photos too.
- Visual Plant Diary: Keep a visual record of your gardening journey by capturing images of your plants and gardens.
- Plant Care Task List: Never forget a gardening task again. Garden Tags enables you to set up a task list based on the specific plants growing in your garden.
- Communal Knowledge: Engage with a supportive gardening community. Seek advice, identify unknown plants with the help of fellow plant lovers, and gain insightful knowledge from the experts.
Garden Tags is available on both iOS and Android, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Discover Garden Tags today.
10. iScape
Transform your landscaping dreams into reality with iScape. Here’s why this landscaping gardening app is a game-changer for landscape design:
- Visualised Design: iScape allows you to design your landscape using augmented reality. Simply take a photo of your yard, and watch as the app overlays various landscaping features such as flower beds, walkways, driveways, and your favourite plants.
- No More Guesswork: Say goodbye to the uncertainty of design choices. With iScape, you can see exactly how your home and yard will look with different landscaping elements, helping you make the right decision for your garden.
- User-Friendly Interface: The app offers a user-friendly design, ensuring that even those new to landscaping can easily navigate and create stunning designs.
- Free Demo and Pro Version: iScape provides a free demo version for you to try out its features.
iScape can help you to visualise your dream landscape and make the right design choices for landscaping and gardening.
Check out iScape.
11. LeafSnap
LeafSnap is the go-to garden planning app for accurate and high-tech plant identification, boasting an impressive 95% accuracy rate.
Here’s why it’s a must-have for every plant lover:
- Snap and Identify: With a simple photo snap, LeafSnap grants you access to a detailed database of plant information.
- Create Collections: Organise your favourite plants into unique collections, making it easy to revisit and share your insights.
- Global Exploration: LeafSnap doesn’t limit itself to one region. You can explore pictures of plants from around the world, expanding your gardening knowledge and appreciation.
- More Than Just Plants: LeafSnap isn’t confined to just plants; it works seamlessly with mushrooms and cacti as well, making it a versatile tool for nature experts and amateurs.
Available on both iOS and Android, LeafSnap puts a world of botanical knowledge in the palm of your hand.
Discover what LeafSnap can do.
Choose the Right Garden Planning App For You
These gardening and plant identification apps are a testament to how technology can reinvent your relationship with nature, making gardening and plant discovery more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Feel free to check out and download any (or all) of these apps and see which one is right for you. Of course, there is still plenty of (free) gardening advice that you can explore from our blog as well. You can use these apps on your phone from the comfort of our wooden benches and banana benches.
As we near darker nights, learn how to attract bats to your garden in time for Halloween.
FAQs
Start by assessing your space and its conditions. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, drainage, and the size of the area. Determine your gardening goals, such as growing vegetables, creating a flower garden, or establishing a relaxation space. Research plants suitable for your region and conditions. Sketch a rough layout, keeping in mind plant heights, colours, and growth patterns. Finally, gather the necessary tools and materials to begin your gardening journey.
Begin with understanding the purpose of your garden. Do you want a functional space, a decorative one, or a mix of both? Observe the natural elements of your space, like sunlight patterns, wind direction, and existing vegetation. Take measurements and create a scaled drawing or use garden design software. Consider incorporating focal points, pathways, wooden garden chairs and seating areas. Choose plants and design elements that complement each other and suit the garden’s purpose. Remember to factor in maintenance needs and budget constraints.
Dividing a garden into sections can be based on various factors:
Purpose: Different areas for vegetables, herbs, flowers, relaxation, or play.
Sunlight: Separate sections for sun-loving plants and those that prefer shade.
Plant type: Group similar plants together, such as perennials, annuals, or shrubs.
Theme: Different sections can have themes like tropical, cottage, or rock gardens.
Maintenance: Group plants with similar water and care needs.
Sources
Candide. (n.d.). Candide. [online] Available at: https://candide.com/GB [accessed 18/10/23]
Moon and Garden. (n.d.). Moon and Garden. [online] Available at: https://www.moonandgarden.com/ [accessed 18/10/23]
myGarden by Gardena. (n.d.). Gardena. [online] Available at: https://www.gardena.com/uk/garden-life/garden-planner/mygarden-app/ [accessed 18/10/23]
PlantNet. (n.d.). PlantNet. [online] Available at: https://plantnet.org/en/ [accessed 18/10/23]
Google Lens. (n.d.). Google Lens. [online] Available at: https://lens.google/ [accessed 18/10/23]
Garden Planner at Territorial Seed. (n.d.). Territorial Seed. [online] Available at: https://gardenplanner.territorialseed.com/journal.aspx [accessed 18/10/23]
Garden Manager. (n.d.). Garden Manager. [online] Available at: https://www.gardenmanager.com/ [accessed 18/10/23]
GrowIt! (n.d.). GrowIt!. [online] Available at: https://www.growitmobile.com/ [accessed 18/10/23]
Garden Tags. (n.d.). Garden Tags. [online] Available at: https://www.gardentags.com/ [accessed 18/10/23]
iScape. (n.d.). iScape. [online] Available at: https://www.iscapeit.com/ [accessed 18/10/23]
LeafSnap. (n.d.). LeafSnap. [online] Available at: https://plantidentifier.info/ [accessed 18/10/23]
