Re: [SG] Organization
Sorry about the last one - now trying again .....
I've tried out a few of the commercially available computer-based
garden design packages with pretty graphics to show what the plants
look like at various ages, and from different views etc. And they're
all pretty much useless because they have such a restrictive list of
plants available. They're also quite difficult to use if you like
things unusual - like curved borders and ponds that aren't round :).
Now I haven't tried anything above $50 - maybe I'm getting a little
cynical here - but I read the covers of the latest offerings from time
to time and I've seen nothing yet that looks really useful so far.
However a low-tech (?!) solution for the pc is to use Microsoft Paint
and Powerpoint - many people get them installed on their machine "for
free" as part of a Microsoft Office suite. Although the software can
take a while to sort out, Paint (in windows, bottom left corner button
- start - programs - accessories - paint) is a pretty easy to use
free-hand drawing package (in color) much like drawing on a piece of
paper. And has the ever-useful eraser function!
So having done a beautiful sketch of your garden in Paint, save it as
a bitmap file.
Now go to Powerpoint (open a blank presentation) and import the bitmap
file (pick the commands insert - picture - from file, then you can
browse your files and select your new garden bitmap).
Size your bitmap to fit the screen and now you can add the labels. I
use the smallest font size so that I can get them all in - you can
always zoom in to that region to read them better.
And there you have your own garden design with labels.
To update your garden you can change the bitmap image in Paint again.
Back in Powerpoint delete the old bitmap and insert the new one. Then
just change the necessary labels. The only thing to watch for is
sizing it right - but there are a number of easy ways of doing that
ask me if you get stuck - I don't want to bore everyone here!:)
As for label longevity - make sure you backup your pc from time to
time, otherwise they're pretty impervious! :D
If you have a large garden, then it's best to create a different
bitmap for each border or area.
Good luck!
Jackie Halliday
Burlington MA, zone 6a
Peggy L Kinnetz wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> I have two related problems that I would like others' input. When I buy
> plants, I sometimes get the plants mixed up after a while (a year or two
> later) and can't remember what I've really got. I usually stick the
> label stick that comes with the plant in the ground when there is one,
> but after a time these tend to come out, break, get lost, etc. But even
> when they don't disappear, that doesn't help when there is more than one
> plant, and only one label, or there is none. Invariably, the one that
> has the label will die and leave the labelless one by itself. I can't
> see sticking a label by each plant, that is just too obtrusive. I know
> there are good durable labels out there, but most are pretty expensive (
> I always translate the cost of the label into how many little plants I
> could buy instead). I'd like to figure out some other less costly way
> that isn't too obtrusive. How do others remember what they have?
>
> I'd like to keep a list of the plants on my computer, with the botanical
> name and common name, but haven't figured out a good way to tell exactly
> where I've planted what. Do you all have some system that you'd share
> with me?
>
> Peggy
> Louisville, Zone 6a
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