I give up...how do I post to the Wintersowing Database?

I've been to the Wintersowing Database and can see everyone else's data input, but for the life of me can't figure out how to add to the list myself. I searched every place I could think of. It's probably in plain sight and I'm just missing it. I know this is going to be a DUH! moment.

JoAnn

NEEEVVVER mind!! I knew as soon as I sent this post I would find it! I didn't realize you have to look up the plant in the Plant Files first to find the link at the bottom of the page! Sigh!

JoAnn

JoAnn, they appear to be deleting Latin names from entries into the wintersowing database. How can they interface the wintersowing database with PlantFiles if the names do not match up? Each plant can only have one Latin name, whereas common names can apply to many different plants.

I am curious how this will work - can anyone explain to me?

Are you sure they're deleting LATIN names, Blue? That doesn't make sense.

I am having trouble finding the list...can somebody post a link? The only way I could find it before was to go to the original thread and click on a link from within that thread, but now I can't find that thread either. (I forgot which forum)

Suzy

Suzy, I made a wintersowing entry for Primula sieboldii, but the entry in the WS database was changed to "Asian Primrose", with Primula sieboldii deleted. There are countless primroses whose origins are in Asia. Of what value can it be to delete the Latin name that applies to one plant in particular - to which the data applies only -
and then to substitute a common name that applies to many different species?

Perhaps it only happened just in my case, and perhaps what was done to my entry was a unique mistake. Hopefully someone can explain.

Or perhaps there's a rationale here that is not apparent to me - am also interested in an explanation for that, too.

The WS database is in the sticky for the WS forum - http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/815465/ - it's the 1st link in the 3rd post.

I'm with you. I just find the whole thing much too frustrating and time consuming. I have't entered my data for that reason. I just don't find it user friendly.

I do keep a spreadsheet of my own for my own future reference. It just includes things like name, date sown, date germinated, annual or perennial?, and a column of notes for myself like height and spread. I find this very simple and I can refer to it it future years. If I had to keep track of seed source, number sown, number germinated, date bloomed, etc, it becomes another job, not a fun hobby.

I have enough jobs! No offense to anyone, we all like different things.

Karen

As long as the critical categories are included - Latin name, date wintersown and date germinated - then we have a usable document.

As long as entering the other categories is optional, it seems to me that that would not interfere with generating a usable document. It looks like they've set the database up to allow folks their own discretion as to what to put in.

Perhaps if they would mark the essential categories with an asterisk, that might cut down on confusion and encourage more folks to enter their data.

DG is a huge gardening website, that it seems a shame that so many with so much valuable information to share would be discouraged from doing so by a system without consistency for names or without easily discernible priority for entering categories.

I know that a lot of hard work has already gone into the DG wintersowing database, and I hope that I am not coming across as too negatively critical. I do appreciate what has been accomplished so far and hope we can talk. Perhaps I'm missing something?

I agree. I realize that some have done a lot of work on it.

I have a not- quite -perfect spreadsheet for each of my 2 years wintersowing, and anyone who would like to see it is certainly welcome. I have emailed it to some who asked in the past. This is an easy thing to do, no problem, takes seconds of my time.

To enter this information into the database, I would have to search about 150 -200 different plants in plantfiles, eliminate the wrong ones and probably try several hits before I get the right one. Enter data for one plant. Back to database. Search another plant, etc

And there is no separate list for my zone, correct? I can't jut go somewhere to find a list of what others have successfully WSown in my zone? This would be extremely helpful, but I don't think there is any such animal.

I really don't mean to be critical of those involved in the database project. I'm just pointing out that for some of us this is just too much work. I'm not a horticulture professor, just a simple home garden hobbyist whose knowledge is limited enough that sometimes I have trouble even finding a plantfiles entry. I'm also not young, I'm a middle aged old lady who has never quite caught up with computers. My computer skills are very limited. I enjoy wintersowing, and visiting the forum, but this is strictly a fun exercise, not to be confused with work.

Karen

Evidently, Garden Web has 2 lists - one ordered by common name and another ordered by Latin name - and those 2 lists seem to fulfill needs of different folks.

Perhaps, if modifications can not be made to make this WS database more user-friendly, then a 2nd one based on Latin names in alphabetical order - by zone - might find a home in the Germination forum? That way, both approaches to this data could be satisfied.

But first (famous last words, huh?) - there's more work I need to do on that sticky I'm writing for the MG forum - this old lady is experiencing conflict between her own garden and that task.

Let's keep this topic open, Karen, and see what develops.

Karen

I agree with the rest of you...after having posted to the wintersowing database, the only thing I was able to include was the approximate planting date and approximate germination date. I planted over 80 milk jug containers and was hardly able to check on them once a week, let alone every day to see if something was sprouting. My main gist was to show what did come up.

Providing the seed source, number sown, number germinated, date bloomed, etc, was too cumbersome for me as well, Karen (kq...). This is a hobby for me, too, but I do want to help provide some information for anyone who is interested.

I also like your idea, Karen (blue...) for having something for those who want to be able to have the extra information. Perhaps Dave can somehow combine the two features in one database... list the simple stuff first then click on an "advanced" link for a drop down feature to add the rest.

JoAnn

Most of all, I wish we could get the name right. Without that, what is the rest worth?

I am aware that there have been differences between this forum and Trudi, and between this forum and GardenWeb. However, I belong to both, have the same username at both sites, and I enjoy both. And I'm not alone- others here belong to and use both sites. I did however, find GW first and that is where I first learned about wintersowing.

Maybe this old brain just can't think outside the box, but I really don't see the value of having 2 separate databases, and frankly, this one is just not very useful for me. And it's a tedious job to enter each plant sown. I have kept a spreadsheet for myself in the years that I have wintersowing. When data is collected for that year at GW, I have emailed my spreadsheet- 1 minute's time- and I'm done.

Also, I think to be of use, it needs to be a separate entity, not tied to PlantFiles. Also
1. It need to be in alphabetical order
2. Listed by botanical name. Common names can be used for several different plants
3. Zone specific
4. User friendly, both for entering data and retrieving it.

You see, the most useful part of such a thing, for me, is to look at a list of plants that have or have not been successfully wintersowed in my area. If it worked great for someone in Miami, it might not be at all a good choice for me here in Ohio.

I'm not trying to be critical, and I realize that a lot of work is being put into this. When the idea evolved here, I did try to convey these thoughts. Enthusiasm took it's course, and people ran with it. I could see that I just wasn't going to be part of it, by my choice. Please don't be offended. I'm trying to offer constructive suggestions to make the database more useful for everyone.

Karen

Karen-kqc, I think you summed the situation up very nicely, in that some of us hope to get a discussion going on some perceived flaws, while at the same time being respectful of the hard work and good intentions of those who have brought the DG WS database this far.

Using the botanical name facilitates:

-- one name specific to one plant
-- a means of identification regardless of what one's native language may be
-- alphabetization, which makes it easier to find plants
-- the means with which to interface the WS database with PlantFiles
-- consistency of identification, which is impossible with common names

Without the foregoing in place, some people with valuable data to input will be put off by the futility of expending their time and energy to share.

Since we all want the same thing - a usable WS database available to all - surely that's grounds for dialog?

If there's a reason to not do this, I'm open to trying to understand it.

With regard to the cumbersome nature of sharing data as things now stand, why not be flexible and work in a multi-tier system which would allow those with more time to input the extra data and those with less time to input the very few critical details that consist of botanical name, sowing date and germination date? Using cut and paste and software that automatically alphabetizes, how much more difficult would it be to allow for folks to email their spreadsheets and/or lists containing only relevant information?

Hoping for response,
Karen-blu

Wait... I don't want to give the impression that I want anyone to change for me! Or do work for me!

I was responding to your comments and suggesting those features which I think could be of use for others.

Some of you seem perfectly willing to work on these projects, and I say, more power to you. I pay good money to spend my relaxation time here, and I, for one, am not looking for any more work in my life. I already wear too many hats as it is- anesthetist, wife, homemaker, laundress, daughter of elderly person. The gardener hat is the one for relaxation.

But I am not asking for any favors or concessions for myself. Feel free to carry on without me. As a group you can do anything you choose, and it doesn't have to have anything to do with me.

Karen

Sorry, Karen - I didn't intend to come across like that. I guess I was trying to explore as many possibilities as possible in hopes of finding something that might speak to those who have worked on the WS database.

I really appreciate your input. For lack of response, I'm bowing out too.

Karen