With access to Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy, Twitter, Instagram, and countless other social and entertainment networks in the palm of my hand, it’s easy to get lost in all the tech. But, with warmer weather upon much of the country I’ve found myself ditching the soft glow of my smartphone for some time in the sun. Here are some great apps that will help turn your texting thumbs green.
Herbs+ ($2.99 iOS)
Last year I started my own herb garden, because it was such a waste to have to go buy fresh herbs every time I wanted to try a new recipe that called for them. Unfortunately, at the end of the growing season I had no idea how to preserve them. Not this year! Herbs+ gives you all the info you need to know on what to plant, how to care for it and how to preserve your herbs, along with some great recipes. This app has everything you would want to know about herbs, including medicinal uses, but if that isn’t enough there’s a direct link to each herb’s Wikipedia page as well. The Herb Grower’s Handbook ($0.99) is a great Android alternative app with lots of the same information.
Home Depot (Free, iOS/Android)
The app is free and they have some helpful videos on gardening basics, like how to create a garden path or landscape around your mailbox. Plus, you can check for product availability at your local store if you find yourself needing a new pair of gardening gloves, fertilizer, etc.
Organic Gardening Planting Planner (Free, iOS)
This app is the ultimate garden planner. It includes a large catalog of plant varieties including veggies, flowers, and herbs. It utilizes your GPS location and estimates the growing season for your area, from seedlings to harvest. There’s also a plethora of information about things like seed spacing, proper soil pH, and days before you’ll yield a harvestable crop. Gardener (Free) is a great Android alternative with similar information and layout.
Lawn Mower Forum (Free, iOS/Android)
The lawn is one of the most overlooked parts of gardening, but if your yard looks like the everglades because your mower broke down and you don’t happen to own any cows, this app may be of help. Get answers to all of your mowing equipment and lawn care questions.
Soil pH ($0.99 iOS)
If buying a house is all about location, then you should know that successful gardening begins with great soil. This app does NOT claim to measure your soil’s pH, so please do not start affixing your smartphones in the dirt in your backyard. Instead, it shows you how to properly test your garden’s natural soil pH. Most of the other gardening apps I reviewed include a recommended level of soil pH for planting
Gardening Mama (Lite version Free, iOS)
I can’t say gardening virtual plants is quite as gratifying as the real thing, but Gardening Mama is worth the download if you want the experience without actually getting your hands dirty.