software for gardeners

I don't know if this has already been discussed or not, probably has. What I am looking for is a software program that is easy to use (I am not exactly at home in front of this keyboard), that will help me keep track of what I have planted, when it blooms, what fertilizer it needs, etc. I need to know what others have tried and liked or not liked. I've looked at the Garden Watchdog and read some things there, but I would like to "talk" to people and see what they've used.

Thanks, Mary Lee

Hi Mary Lee, I use My Garden Journal. It has inventory files for plants and seeds, weather journal and other note taking options. For instance, I made a notation on March 26th, 2006 that it was 55 degrees here. (I have doubts we will get there this year.) This is the web site with a free trial if you want to try it. http://www.mygardenjournal.com/index.html I should add it is not expensive. Cyndie

Cyndiehook, thanks for the link. I'll take a look at it

I'm going to check that out as well - I have tried all sorts of things myself (Excel, diaries, etc.) but never remember to stick with it!!! What I really need is a little garden fairy who will follow me around and record everything I do!

Exactly Murmur! That's exactly what I was thinking.:) Wonder who sells those?

There are scads of gardening programs for Windows, but nary a one for Mac. That's almost enough to make one go back to a PC.

Balvenie, that's strange - I know a lot of people with Macs and they like them sooooo much better than pc's! You'd think the software world would want to keep them happy as well! (On the other hand, I don't think garden fairies have a preference!)

Hmmmm. Well I guess I can be thankful we have a pc. Ours is a Dell. A very very old Dell. I think we bought this in 2000. I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

I love my Mac, but there are times when finding software is a real nuisance. There is a lot of Mac software on the market, but some areas seem to be ignored.

I think garden fairies must be in very short supply. If I have ever had one, it must have been very lazy.

My darn garden fairies have all turned to statues.

I guess that's what happens when fairies retire?:)

LOL - that must be it! And they are retiring younger and younger, thus leaving their workforce at an all-time low. No wonder we can't get any help these days!

I do see alot of them hanging around in stores lately. I supposed loitering laws do not apply to fairies.:)

Yes, and the doggone little things keep hopping in my shopping cart!

Yes they do that. DD works at Beall's and keeps me informed of every debut at the store.

Does anyone know if there is a Garden Journal Program software for MAC users?

Balvenie said there is no software for Macs. I don't know, but I'm beginning to think DH was pretty smart to buy this Dell.

I need to download one of those sometime when there's somebody here at home to help me incase there is a snag somewhere. Sometimes the snags are in my head.:) If it keeps raining like it's been, I should have time. We desperately need the rain, but now I have cannas to plant and a rose to move and ... and... and...

BTW, My Garden Journal has been in the Watchdog for quite some time, but has no reviews yet: http://davesgarden.com/gwd/c/4324/

If you've tried it, please add your thoughts - I'm sure others (and the publishers) will appreciate your feedback!

Terry, Will do. thanks for the heads up. I didn't realize it was listed.

Was lurking here, and just wanted to thank Cyndie for the link to MyGardenJournal.

I downloaded it, and absolutely love it. It's extremely user-friendly, and I love the fact that I can add to the database of plants along with all its other features.

Thanks again,

Gracie

You are most welcome Gracie. I have found that it does everything I need. I especially like the weather function so I can keep track of what the weather was like the previous year. You know how we are- the mind plays tricks on us when we try to remember what it was really like. I can also keep a count of the number of seeds I have so I know what I have to trade. Cyndie

Oh indeed, Terry, I will do the same.

Thank you!

Gracie

I use My Garden Journal, too. Some of the areas I don't use, like recording weather conditions, but for reminders, lists of plants, etc., I love it. It's how I track my plant trading here at DG because the trade tracker here is something I've never been able to do.