An August challenge to all DG members

The heat index is up, the humidity is up, and we're entering the "dog days" of summer for sure. As we all find ourselves spending a little less time in the garden, and a little more time inside, I'm proposing a fun challenge that won't cause anyone to break out a sweat.

I hope that everyone, from "gasbags" (you know who you are) to lurkers will join in. Ready?

Step 1. Look through the plants database (the link is on the right-hand side for those who haven't been there);

Step 2. Find a favorite plant that isn't already there; and

Step 3. Add it to the database. It is incredibly easy; just add the common name, and Latin name, and any other information you feel like sharing.

If all your favorite plants are already there, add a photo or a propagation tip to an existing entry. If you are a contributor to the photo forum, add one of those beautiful photos to the database instead of the forum, and link to it; you'll accomplish two things instead of one.

If we each do this very simple activity, the database will have 3,000 more plants, descriptions and/or photos by August 31. And that would make it a very useful tool to all of us as we trade seeds and begin planning our 2002 gardens. (Then we'd really never have to leave Dave's Garden, LOL!) Will you take the challenge?

I've asked Dave if we can get a grand total when he publishes the August statistics, so we can see just how much we accomplish. I can't wait to see what happens; will there be 3,095 views of this post? Ready, set, go!!!!!

I have a question. Are there any specific plants that people would like to know about? I can take pics and add info for many things, but sometimes I think things are ordinary or maybe not of interest to others. I would be glad to contribute.
Michele

I got you one in there, girlfriend.

"eyes"

Thanks, Eyes!

Badseed, I think if a plant is of interest to you, it's a safe bet that it will be of interest to other gardeners, too. If you consider something a "common" plant, it's common because it's popular, right? I added several plants to the database earlier this year, and I found that there were almost no "common" plants in there. I tried to add some of the gardening standards, but there are still a lot that aren't added yet.

All right, come on all you lurkers - everybody has a favorite plant or two. And this is an almost invisble, practically painless way to give back a little something to Dave's Garden, which is arguably the most popular, biggest - and best - gardening site on the web!!!!!

If we are going to have the most comprehensive data base on the web, and we are, then every plant is of interest. Even weeds need to be identified and information given. If we really set our minds to it we can make the plants database the only resource needed by any gardener!

Vols what an absolutely wonderful idea!!!!

yep- I'll have mine posted by the weekend!
-JSS

OK I posted mine and will try to add a few more before the month is out. You made me realize how much I sometimes take it for granted that someone else will do it and it will just magically appear!

Great idea Terri - something useful to do when I can't sleep :-)

O.k. I put one in!!!! I will put more soon!!! I guess I was just waiting for the challange! What a great idea. Thanks!!! sue

Terrific response, ya'll - and it's just barely August 1! Be sure to encourage all our gardening friends to join the challenge. (Guess I better get busy and add an entry, too!)

Great idea, GV... Hope I can find something not already listed!

Ok, I know what I could add that is not already there. I went out at dawn to get a picture while it was still in bloom. Unfortunately,.. I have no idea how to put it in the database. Can anyone post instructions?

I figured it out,... I guess if I could read "to add a plant click here" it would not have taken so long. I'm an idiot sometimes :)

I did it!! I even managed to add a photo. Thank you for the opportunity to make a useful contribution to this great site. I'll have to think of some more favorites to add!
Cynthia

I have added 3 so far, Thanks a bunch for bringing this to our attention. Otherwise I would have never added :)
Holly

I have a question, what would plants like Pothos,Wandering Jew, Heart leafed Philo, and similar hanging plants be under. I really would hate to put them in the wrong section. Would they be under vines and climbers? Help please :)
Holly

This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 1st 2:25 PM

wabbit: In my opinion, many of th eones you mentioned are "Tropicals".

Philodendron could go tropical or Vines & Climber.

It's ultimately up to the judgement of the author of the plant, and if it's totally wrong, somebody will E-mail you suggesting a change.

Dave

Thanks a bunch Dave. Now I can continue to add.
Holly

Another thing... I added more incentive for folks. As always, when you go to a member's page here at DG, it will tell you about their contributions to the PDB.

Now, if you have added any items to the database, it will link to a page where it will show all items that this particular member has added.

Check out my page to see the link, and see what it looks like to view all the items I've created.

Or, if you are feeling really adventurous, check out go_vols' page and view her 185 plants she has added!!!

Dave

I added mine. hope I did it right. If not somebody tell me what I need to change.

mystic: Your entry looks great!

Hey, can I say Thank you once more. I didn't know a lot of the latin names to my plants so now I am learning as I add to the database. So not only are we helping others, I am learning in the process. I am sure I have goofed some stuff up but I am sure you will all let me know.
Thanks again,
Holly

This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 1st 10:00 PM

Holly,

The knowledge you gain while adding information to the database as the biggest gain you can have for contributing!! It's a win-win for both the readers, and the authors.

dave

I did one. Boy that was easy.

I put one in too. Even figured out how to put a picture in. Hope it was done correctly.

As you can see by these unpaid testimonials (grin) above, adding a plant is easy, educational and rewarding. It's so neat to see the different plants that we are each interested in including in the database.

As for me, I found a great book to read yesterday while I was watching the kids swim. It's called "Gardening with Native Plants of the South" and it really opened my eyes to the abundance of beautiful natives that can be successfully integrated into any type of landscape.

I was so enthused by what I learned, I charged in today and added about half a dozen more plants to the database.

So if you're thinking you've got plenty of time before the contest ends, I'd caution you to not wait too long - all the "good" ones might be taken!

Like Vinnie Barbarino used to say (if any of you are old enough to remember Welcome Back Kotter) "I'm so confused!" Actually, I'm not but the scope of knowledge and information on this site is awsome. Can't think of a thing to add you guys have covered everything! But like tiredwabbit said, boy am I learning.

I added mine. I do have a question though...Can we add pictures to someone elses ID if there isn't one or if you have a clearer image? Should one contact the originator?
Thanks for the clarification...

Floridan - if you have pictures... by all means add them! The more pictures the better! It won't cancel out anyone elses picture.... it will just be added to the entry.

You can add any section you like to anyone's entry - the more information in the DB, the more useful it will be.

Just one problem, though, Dave - now that you have the Search working on the criteria in the boxes, we need to have the information in about all the plants so that the Search will find it. There are one or two entries that are only names, which won't come up if someone searches for something a particular height or colour.

It's true, Mary, that information is missing on some entries. The search feature will skip over those. I don't know a good fix for that right now.

Dave

I have a request...could you please list the plants in alphabetical order? Much faster to find something.

lantana: By default, the pages are sorted in alphabetical order, by genus and species.

You can change this by clicking on any of the table headings (common name, etc).

Dave

Just nudging this one back up a bit, for those who may have missed it......

A big thanks to all who have been quietly contributing to the database - I see lots of new additions every morning when I open my DG newsletter. Keep up the good work!

Removed by member request

I have another question. LOL I have tried to add entries but most anything I think of is already there. I did add a pic to one though! Hey, it's a start. Okay, the question. How do I find the ones that are missing info (the search question above)? I love to play 'research' and would be glad to fill in the blanks if possible. So, how can I search for ones missing information?

That's a great question! Dave, in your spare time (grin) would you consider adding some fields/columns to the database? One to indicate if the entry has a photo; one to indicate if it has a general description; and one to indicate if it has propagation methods? (Or if there's a better/easier way to do it, that'd be great!)

Badseed, I'm pretty sure our request will have to go in the queue of "things to do" for Dave, so in the meantime, I'd recommend that you pick a plant you're familiar with growing, and then open the entry to see if it has a description already. It's kinda like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, but any information you can include will help all DG members!