Bring the great outdoors home during the heatwave with our top gardening apps.
We’ve never spent more time at home than we are right now, so there’s never been a better time to make our homes a much brighter, happier and more relaxing place to be. While it might be tricky to get away this year or go exploring, a peaceful, colourful garden makes the perfect place to chill out at home. And your phone can help you.
There are plenty of apps out there that’ll help design your outdoor space, identify the plants in your garden and work out which plants are likely to grow tall and strong. Here are our favourites:
SmartPlant
This app is the ultimate companion on that garden centre plant-buying spree. Just use the SmartPlant app to scan the code on new plants when you buy them, and it’ll tell you exactly what they are and how best to look after them.
It’s not just for starting from scratch. The SmartPlant app lets you chat with experts who can help identify the plants in your garden. From there, the app will give you reminders to water them at the right time, and even help you identify pests and diseases to keep them looking vibrant and healthy.
PlantSnap
Free with in-app purchases on iOS & Android
If you’re looking to find out a little more about the plants that are already in your garden, PlantSnap is the app for you. Just hover your phone’s camera over your plants, and the app will automatically detect them and tell you everything you want to know.
It’s a great way to engage with the beautiful nature around you, and makes a long country walk educational and fun. With over 35 million users all over the globe, there’s no better tool to learn learn about rare species of plants and flowers. It’s also a great place to share and receive handy gardening tips from green-fingered experts that know their stuff.
GardenTags
Free with in-app purchases on iOS & Android
GardenTags is an all-in-one Insta-style app that can do more than just identify your plants. Set up your profile, upload your plants to your photographic journal and connect with other gardeners.
You can receive plant care notifications for up to 10 plants, which is handy if you’re a little forgetful with the watering can! The app is super easy to use, and a great way to get the inspiration you need to transform your outdoor space into the perfect relaxation zone.
iScape
Free on iOS
Looking to completely transform your garden? There’s no need to fork out loads on home improvement, only to realise you don’t like the end result. With iScape, you can design your outdoor space and see how it’ll look before you’ve spent a penny.
With clever augmented reality, the app lets you choose from thousands of plants and features and add them to your garden in real time to see how it all looks. Whether you’re planning a colourful new flowerbed or sharing your vision with a landscape gardener, this app makes it much easier to plan and visualise your new outdoor space.
Have you given your garden an upgrade this summer?
If so, have you turned to an app to help achieve your vision? Let us know below!
