Veg Computer Program

[Jameslovell]

Hi all

I am after a bit of feedback from anyone with a few minutes to spare.

Since starting to grow veg earlier this year, I have had a few problems deciding what is seedlings and what are weeds.

I have also been recording in an excel spreadsheet what needs to be sown when, when it fruits and is ready for harvesting.

I have started think about computer programs to aid with this. I thought that an encylopedia of veg could behelpful, including pictures of seeds, seedlings, plants and a calender of planting, picking, etc.

I would love for this to be a collective project over the next year, so others on the vine could send me pictures to add to the program and submit info/advice about each plant.

What are others thoughts about this? Am I barking up the wrong tree? Would it be better as a website rather than downloaded as a program?

Thanks for your time.

James

[rustylady]

Since starting to grow veg earlier this year, I have had a few problems deciding what is seedlings and what are weeds.

I have also been recording in an excel spreadsheet what needs to be sown when, when it fruits and is ready for harvesting.

I have started think about computer programs to aid with this. I thought that an encylopedia of veg could behelpful, including pictures of seeds, seedlings, plants and a calender of planting, picking etc.

Hi James. I'm sure there are already on-line sites that will provide all your answers, and it is a huge project for one person to be thinking about. You'll be spending all your time on the computer instead of gardening.
Try Googling for answers to specific queries - you'll come up with some very good sites that you can add to your favourites. I do google, but I also have a very old Readers Digest Encyclopaedia called The Gardening Year. It covers everything - fruit, veg, trees, flowers and is invaluable as a reference.
BTW Where do you garden? It's not included in your profile and would be useful when answering specific queries.

[Capsid]

It's a nice idea but the information is already out there isn't it?

I use a spreadsheet to keep a record of when and what I sow, but that is all I need to keep a record of. Getting on the veg plot/garden and looking at your veg will tell you when to harvest; harvest time can't be predicted as this is very variable depending on weather conditions.

[Kristen]

I agree, big project - would be a nice resource though!

I too have XLS for Veg, Variety, Sown, Transplanted, First fruit, Last fruit.

I also photograph the garden every week (or so ...) so I have a record of what's in flower, when, and so on.

[MaureenHall]

I like the idea, I've always been one for making lists and if I can make a list on a spreadsheet then I'm a very happy bunny Maybe I'm a nerd, but I just like computers! And the idea of combining 2 of my favourite pastimes sounds good to me

[Maf]

I'm sure I saw a weed / seedling identication resource somewhere on the web

One of the seed manfacturers displays a pic of seedlings on their packets to help id them

I'm not sure how useful they are tho... After a couple of years growing you get to know weed seedlings off by heart

Allowing users to post info / advice on a specific plant is a good idea. I'd like to see more use made out of the Growing Techniques forum. If the powers that be created a post for every type of vegetable, then they could moderate user posts and establish a rescource for each type of crop ??

(well it makes sense to me !)

[Two_Sheds]

Good luck with the computer programme, if you have the time James.

As to seedlings v. weeds: it's very helpful to sow your seeds into modules, and plant them out when they are big enough to cope with slugs etc. You also know exactly where you're planting, and don't weed out seedlings by mistake.

[HeyWayne]

I was with you right up to "computer program". Witchcraft.

By the way James, has anyone ever told you that you bear striking resemblance to the dude on the left of this picture?



I don't know which one he is, Sam or Mark.

[maytreefrannie]

James, that sounds like a great idea. I find it's tough enough sometimes to know the veg from the weeds - the straightish line of planting helps. This year, because of the uber-heavy rainfall, the weeds just took over and it was extra difficult to find the plants.

Looking forward to following the progress of your project.

[zazen999]

Much as I love spreadsheets for work!!! I do like writing by hand for pleasure...not sure it would work for the weed/seedling issue; usually the seedlings are the ones that the slugs eat whilst the weeds aren't.

But, I can see the sowing times/growing times/harvest times coming in handy; as a general guide. I write all mine out by hand as alot of them are heritage and don't come with instructions.

[Eyren]

Wasn't there a seedling identification photo thread here a while back? I have to start most things off in modules, otherwise the slugs and weeds would swamp the seedlings before I had a chance to try and identify them! The main things I sow in situ are carrots and spring onions, which look like miniature versions of the grown plant and are thus very easy to spot.

I have a spreadsheet that I use to work out how many year's worth of seeds are in a given packet, divided by how long that type of seed normally lasts, and a note of how easy the seed is to save, so I can get a handle on which seeds are best to swap. Beans and peas are good candidates, I find, as they come in fairly large packets, don't last long and are easy to save

BTW, don't forget to include moon phases in your calendar

[Jameslovell]

By the way James, has anyone ever told you that you bear striking resemblance to the dude on the left of this picture?

I am shocked. I think it might be time to replace my pic. I don't look anything like Sam/Mark/Smark/Mam. However I not sure whats worse, being told I look like him or being able to lay your hand on a pic of them.

Thanks for all the comments. If I do something I think it will be a winter project (planning, design etc) while there is not much going on and the rain lashes down. Then take loads of pictures, etc during the next year.

[butter fingers]

Hi all

I am after a bit of feedback from anyone with a few minutes to spare.

Since starting to grow veg earlier this year, I have had a few problems deciding what is seedlings and what are weeds.

I have also been recording in an excel spreadsheet what needs to be sown when, when it fruits and is ready for harvesting.

I have started think about computer programs to aid with this. I thought that an encylopedia of veg could behelpful, including pictures of seeds, seedlings, plants and a calender of planting, picking, etc.

I would love for this to be a collective project over the next year, so others on the vine could send me pictures to add to the program and submit info/advice about each plant.

What are others thoughts about this? Am I barking up the wrong tree? Would it be better as a website rather than downloaded as a program?

Thanks for your time.

James

try googleing "the vegetable gardeners almanac".it will cost £10.00 to download.i use this program and its more than enough detail for my use.

[Kristen]

"the vegetable gardeners almanac"

What an excellent looking bit of software, thanks for that.

Vegetable Gardeners Almanac, Software for Vegetable Growers

[Eyren]

Not much use for us poor old Mac users - guess I'll have to stick to OpenOffice and my big A4 folder of notes and printouts!