Top-Tier Garden Apps: 8 Digital Aids to Supercharge Your Real-Life Horticulture Mastery
In the digital age, gardening apps have become a valuable tool for both novice and experienced green-fingered enthusiasts. However, with a plethora of options available, it can be challenging to determine which apps offer genuine gardening expertise rather than relying solely on AI chatbots. Here are some steps to help you make an informed decision.
Firstly, check the app's credentials and origin. Look for apps affiliated with reputable gardening organisations or institutions, such as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). For instance, the RHS Grow app, with over 200 years of horticultural knowledge contributed by RHS specialist advisors, botanists, and scientists, is a prime example of an app that clearly indicates expert involvement.
Secondly, review the app description and team. Apps that highlight the expertise of botanists, horticultural scientists, or fruit and vegetable experts behind their content are more trustworthy. The RHS Grow app, for example, includes an "AI ChatBotanist" but emphasises that it is taught using expert knowledge, offering a blend of expert-backed information and AI convenience.
Thirdly, read user reviews and ratings. Apps praised for expert guidance rather than generic AI responses tend to be more credible. Positive feedback from users about the accuracy and reliability of the gardening advice is a good sign.
Fourthly, research the app developer. Apps developed or supported by well-known gardening organisations or staffed by known horticultural professionals are preferable. Checking developer websites or contact information can reveal if experts are involved.
Lastly, beware of AI chatbot limitations. AI chatbots don't "know" gardening directly; they generate advice based on patterns in existing data, which can lead to misinformation. Trust apps that limit chatbot use to support roles, not as the sole source of advice.
In summary, prioritise apps that are created or endorsed by recognised gardening authorities or experts, clearly explain the expert background of their advice providers, use AI chatbots only as supplementary tools with a strong foundation of expert input, and have positive user feedback highlighting their reliability.
There are numerous apps available for various aspects of gardening, including design, plant identification, and sowing times. For instance, Planter, Gardenize, iScape, LeafSnap, PlantaPlanta, Seed to Spoon, Smart Gardener, and Purdue Plant Doctor apps offer a wide range of features to cater to different gardening needs. Each app has its unique selling points, so it's essential to research and choose the one that best suits your gardening requirements.
- When selecting a home-and-garden or gardening app, it's wise to opt for those endorsed by recognised gardening authorities or experts, like the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), as they are likely to provide accurate and reliable gardening advice.
- To make the most of your gardening lifestyle, research the unique selling points of apps such as Planter, Gardenize, iScape, LeafSnap, PlantaPlanta, Seed to Spoon, Smart Gardener, and Purdue Plant Doctor, and choose the one that best caters to your specific gardening needs and requirements.
