My Top 10 Desktop Gardening Apps

Gardening Apps for Windows 8, ITunes and Google Play

As a gardener and garden writer, I need to have useful information at my fingertips. I don't have a mobile device, but I do have Windows 8, which enables you to run apps right on your desktop. I also use Google Play and iTunes to access excellent gardening apps. I hope you find some of these helpful.
My Top 10 Desktop Gardening Apps
  1. Fine Gardening Magazine's app for Windows 8 gives you access to information including seasonal reports, slideshows, new varieties and garden plans. It has a plethora of garden maintenance information. If you are a subscriber, you can read the magazine online.
  2. Gardener's Calendar is available for Windows 8.1 and Windows phones. The app includes features such as recommended daily garden activities, 10-day weather forecast, 11 different activities tied to moon cycles and a list of relevant blogs from your area. There is a free 15-day trial period after which you may purchase the full version for $1.19.
  3. Plant Encyclopedia is a free app for Windows 8 that makes it simple to look up plants by common and botanical name. Plants are also categorized by type. Each plant has an image, description and specifications.
  4. Gardening Tips is a free Windows 8 app from Hooman that gives you access to 50 gardening videos on a variety of subjects from beginner to expert. From how to start a garden to how to grow strawberries, there is something for every gardener on this app.
  5. Work with Nature is a free Windows 8 app that only works with touch screens. It features detailed beginner lessons on organic gardening, but I got it for the lessons on beekeeping.
  6. Garden Guardian is a Windows 8 app helps with growing all sorts of plants in a home garden. It gives you the skinny on planting, care and environmental requirements. You don't need internet access to use this app.
  7. Gardening Guide is a free Windows 8 app with useful tips on all the aspects of gardening, including which tools and accessories you need. It also give info on different gardening styles.
  8. DIY Garden Project Hub is a free Windows 8 app that gives you access to tweets, videos and images on all aspects of DIY home gardening. The detailed lessons range from wood pallet recycling to solar projects for your garden and more. This is a must-have for the DIY or frugal gardener.
  9. Food Gardening Guide app from Organic Gardening Magazine is available for Android and iOs phones on iTunes, Google Play and as part of the free Mother Earth News library app.
  10. Landscaper's Companion is the leading plant database application for landscapers. It features over 26,000 plants in a searchable catalog, with over 21,000 full-color plant pictures. You can also add your own plants a photos. This app is available for iOS and Android, or as an online web app. The free plan does not give you full access to the database or all its features, but is useful for the home gardener. There are two reasonably priced paid plans for professionals.
For those of us who haven't gone mobile, it is sometimes hard to find good apps for what we need. Luckily, Windows 8, iTunes and Google Play are making more apps available for we desktop users. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the great gardening apps available for non-mobile users. More mobile gardening apps