Garden Design Software Packages

Hi Emily.

I did a blog post a week or so ago after using a few (link's in footer if you're interested), and for actual garden design found Garden Planner Online the best. Its got loads of quirky little bits and bobs you can put in your design.

The BBC one is also good (and free), but I concentrate mostly on veg so haven't used it extensively.

Going to try and love my back garden as much as my allotment this year though, and thinking of putting a design together. Gives me something to do during the winter nights at the very least!

I checked out your blog - lighthearted and entertaining! Thank you!

Thanks Emily. Hope you have fun with the planner.

re garden design software..... I was about to post a question about this when I discovered this similar one from early 2011 so thought it best to refresh the topic….

There was a spate of garden design software developed a few years ago but it seemed to peak 2005-2008 and as far as I’m aware does not seem to have featured or been developed much since. The RHS now seem very reticent to recommend any and the BBC one is not maintained and in a state of some disrepair….. The “Garden Planner” Jono mentions above is still going but as far as I can see always remains an aerial plan so is good garden design for birds and helicopter pilots but doesn’t offer perspective, seasonal change, shade etc (or perhaps I haven’t used it correctly?) Given the sophisticated imagery of games computing I wouldn't have thought it difficult for a programme to cope with developments over time etc....

Does anyone still use and recommend any particular programmes? Or are we already living in a post-computer age?

Deep dude! The dawn of the post computer era! Wow!

I have tried a few of the allotment planning apps for the putor and iPad. They were a novelty.......but wore off quickly....

How about using imagination and a piece of paper and a pencil. Seemed to have worked through the centuries.

I find that designer computer programmes limit the imagination. Templates are the work of the devil!

If there is no button then you can't do it! That can't be right.

Can you tell I've been on the wine! Hippy Christmad!

hi Newton, As to end of computer era we're halfway there as trendies round here only use mobiles, they don't even bother with landlines and laptops... I'm waiting for someone to have their Blackberry embedded in their forehead so they don't have to lift an arm...

Paper and pencil.... yes I've heard of those from the olden days, are they coming back then? It shouldn't be difficult to draw a site map, add permanent aspects and compass (and temporary brassica tents etc, does it do the job?), drop in plants and watch the garden grow from your virtual deckchair.....

Click a button and T&M deliver it next day.... Simples!

I asked the RHS much the same question about best garden-design software and their response was interesting and informative so I requested permission to relay onto this site which they have given:

Leigh Hunt, the RHS Principle Horticulture Advisor, wrote:
“Thank you for your enquiry to the Royal Horticultural Society's Members’ Advisory Service.

“Unfortunately we do not either test or produce garden design software. However, glancing through Amazon our general assumption that cheap products for the home garden are generally very poor seems fair: read the reviews at Amazon.co.uk: garden design software: Software.

“Alternatively, though, Which? give their Best Buy recommendation to 'My Garden - Shoot'. You can read the review on Which? website (you'll need to be a member at the cost of at least Ŗ1) or see the manufacturer's website at My Garden Planner - Shoot. The software costs from Ŗ12.99.

“The next step up is a full CAD system, such as AutoCAD. This, however, it is over Ŗ1,200, plus you would need to buy libraries of graphics (such as plants and garden features). AutoCAD 2013 – 2D and 3D CAD Design Software – AutoCAD 2012 Upgrade “

-

In response to my request to forward the response to GYO, and enquiry whether RHS might consider developing garden-design software, Leigh Hunt wrote:

“Yes, that's fine to post that response. At the moment most of our resources are going into putting more entries into the RHS Plant Selector, which now contains over 5,400 plants with details and photos. Eventually, of course, we might get to a stage where we can then move on from entering them to using them in more creative ways - but it's going to be a long task as there are over 65k plants in the RHS Plant Finder alone!”

I'm very grateful to RHS for their detailed response and hope the information useful to GYO Grapes.

RHS site: Home / RHS Gardening

bb.

Suttons have an online vegetable garden/allotment planner, free for first 30 days thereafter Ŗ15 a year. Looks quite detailed, provide tips including video examples, takes into account latitude and frosts, plans rotation etc..... (I think you still need to go outside occasionally...)

Details at:
Suttons Vegetable Garden Planner

I use Excel spreadsheet for vegetable planning as my plot is roughly rectangular, and comprises rows of raised beds, so lends itself to a "squared paper" type approach.



I resized Rows / Columns to an approximate scale for the plot, and I merge cells to make blocks of areas for planting. I am not too bothered about exact numbers of plants - but rather just wanting to get an overall plan, and make sure I do my rotation - which is a simple cut & paste for next year, and then adjust the space for each crop / variety if I need to.

Wow, that's fantastic, K, well done! I see D.T. Brown have started an online Garden Planner now (free for first month as a trial). I imagine all the seed companies are likely to develop these online planners now as a way of encouraging direct trade.... The D.T Brown one is at:

D T Brown Vegetable Garden and Allotment Planner

This may not be everybody's cup of tea, but if you want a three-dimensional planner you could always use Lego! Yes, I did say Lego - Lego online, infact. It doesn't have to be just for kids, you know. I've planned gardens and even re-arranged furniture on screen using this. Very useful indeed (if mildly addictive... )

Try it here LEGO.com Digital Designer Virtual Building Software

A question was asked about the related "app" to which the answer from D.T. Brown is:

"The Garden Plan Pro which is compatible with the online Garden Planner is available for a one off fee and is currently on special offer. Details at:
Garden Plan Pro - the iPadŽ app that makes it easy to plan the perfect vegetable garden!
The app is soon to be made a universal one which will mean that it will work equally well with both iPad and iPhone."

It's all getting very electronic.... I heard today of a little gizmo, currently for indoor plants, which detects when compost is getting too dry and it rings you up to tell you to water it!

Happy Electronic New Year! bb.

Really? Well if it was so smart it'd water it for you! Happy Cyber New Year bazzaboy!