High-Tech Horticulture

These days, it seems like there’s an app for everything, from tuning a guitar to ordering a pizza. But what good are they for growers? Here are some nursery-specific and business management apps that could make life easier — at least until your battery runs out.

IveGot1, Outsmart Invasive Species, Southeast Early Detection Network, Mid-Atlantic Detection Network

Price: free

What it does: report invasive species including plants, weeds and pests

For: iPhone, Android smartphones

These apps were developed in support of EDDMapS – an online Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System for invasive species. Previously, weed sightings were submitted to the EDDMapS using detailed online forms. Now anyone with a smartphone can snap a photo and report a weed or pest. The sighting and your GPS coordinates are sent to state and local experts for validation.

Specially tailored versions of the EDDMapS apps were created for Florida, the Southeastern U.S., the Mid-Atlantic region and the Missouri River watershed.

IPMPro

Price: $24.99

What it does: pest/disease management recommendations, alerts

For: iPad, iPhone, Android tablets/smartphones

The Integrated Pest Management app puts pest and disease management information right in your hand. The app lets you know if a destructive pest has been sighted in your area through real-time text message-like notifications. It also was developed with cooperation from growers and landscapers, horticulture and pest management experts for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

Landscaper’s Companion

Price: $4.99

What it does: general plant information guide

For: iPad, iPhone, Android tablets/smartphones

Landscaper’s Companion is a reference guide to trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and all sorts of plants. The app contains information on more than 25,000 plants and includes 15,000 pictures. For nursery owners, it provides a quick reference if you’re trying to remember the USDA zone, sun exposure, water usage, growth rate, bloom times, deer resistance or mature height and width of a particular plant.

Evernote

Price: Free

What it does: note taking

For: iPad, iPhone, Android tablets/smartphones, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7

Evernote helps you take notes whenever, wherever you need to jot something down. The app allows you to take text, photo, audio and video notes of any kind, from memos and meeting minutes to visual snapshots and moments of inspiration. You can view all your previous notes at the tap of a finger, and Evernote instantly synchs with your iPhone, Mac or Windows desktop.

Dropbox

Price: Free

What it does: File sharing

For: iPad, iPhone, Android tablets/smartphones, BlackBerry

Dropbox is the simple and easy way of synching and sharing files of any kind to and from your devices. Essential business documents can be viewed and shared remotely across multiple computers, and the app doubles up as a PDF and document reader.

Expensify

Price: free for individuals, businesses get two free accounts, then pay $5 per person submitting expenses each month

What it does: Expense reports

For: iPad, iPhone, Android tablets/smartphones

Expensify’s slogan is “Expense reports that don’t suck!” The app allows you to take a photo of a receipt, and then converts it into a neatly formatted report. You can use the app’s website to sync with your credit cards and bank accounts to track purchases as they happen.

FreshBooks

Price: free if you have less than three clients, $19.95/month for 25 clients, $29.95 for unlimited clients

What it does: billing, invoices

For: iPad, iPhone

Are you still retyping client addresses in Word, manually calculating invoice totals in Excel and chasing clients to pay you? Whether you create or receive invoices (or both), it can be a headache to keep everything together in a unified, easy-to-monitor format. FreshBooks streamlines this task for small business owners in part by automating various steps throughout the process. You can manage clients, send invoices, run timers and log hours from FreshBooks’ mobile options.

Tell us your story.
If you use one of these apps or have a favorite app not mentioned here, tell us about it at mmclellan@gie.net.