What is the best gardening app?

• Garden Answers
Still don’t know what kind of tree is planted in your backyard? Want to specify a flower you love in your neighbour’s yard? Download and open this free app and take its picture with your smartphone.
The app will compare your picture to those in its database to identify the plant in question and share essential care tips. You can also ask horticulturalists detailed questions about pests and diseases for a small fee.

• Garden Journal at Territorial Seed
The most effective method to learn about gardening is through experience. Use this free app to keep an eye on what you’ve planted and when, as well as how frequently you’ve watered, fertilized, and harvested. There is also a disease and pest database to assist you in identifying issues.
The system also uses weather data to send detailed planting advice for your location. You can upgrade for an annual fee to the Garden Planner, which lets you draw vegetable garden plans of any size, receive email reminders, and engage with other gardeners.

• Garden Manager
This app helps you get the most out of your edible garden. This virtual gardening coach takes you from planting to harvest by guiding you through a series of questions. It has three classes of subscription services to navigate you through the season and sends reminders regarding what to do and when. It’s also tied into weather stations, so it can warn you when to cover tender plants if frost is on the way.

• iNaturalist
If you have ever seen a bizarre bug in your garden or wondered what type of bird comes to sing to you each morning, you need this free app! While it’s not explicitly designed for gardening, there’s a ton of data that’s incredibly helpful for anyone interested in nature on any level.
Designed jointly by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic, this social network lets you take a picture and get instant identification of plants, birds, and animals from other nature enthusiasts. It’s a terrific tool to get kids more connected to nature, too.

• GrowIt!
If you prefer to interact with other plant lovers for information, this free mobile app is made for you. You can upload your pictures and have community members specify plants, troubleshoot pests, ask questions about garden structures, or find a local botanical garden nearby. There is also a bonus! Periodic plant giveaways make it even sweeter!