Computer Active
5 Star 'BUY IT' review.
Complete Gardens offers an excellent mix of quality and attention to detail, designed specifically for gardens in the UK. While it is more expensive than its rivals, this software delivers genuine value for gardeners of all levels.
At the core of its operation is the plant finder. Searching through the 3,000-odd plants can be done in a number of ways, including by name, leaf type, soil type, life cycle and colour. Search criteria can be customised on the left of the screen, with matching results displayed on the right.
It is clear that plenty of care has gone into the descriptions of each plant, and the needs of gardeners in the UK is borne in mind throughout. Each plant description is accompanied by practical advice on planting and pruning, and the high-quality photographs help to illustrate seasonal change.
The program can be used on either a PC or Mac, and is run directly from the CD, so no hard disk space is required.
Complete Gardens has everything for garden enthusiasts, whatever their level, and is of particular value because of its UK focus.
"Each plant description is accompanied by practical advice on planting and pruning, and the high-quality photographs help to illustrate seasonal change."
THE SUNDAY TIMES
Complete Gardens is a home grown product
David Hewson's insider view
You have to give the people behind Complete Gardens credit. They know their stuff, not least when it comes to red hot pokers. How many types are thriving in your garden? Explore this CD-ROM & you could find no fewer that 12, each with detailed description, a lovely photograph and comprehensive growing advice.
Many gardening discs available over here are imported American monstrosities that assume we all have to guard against armadillos and raccoons. Complete Gardens is a home grown product that acts as an all-singing all-dancing guide to more than 2,500 shrubs, flowers and vegetables suited to the British climate.
A formidable plant encyclopaedia, this CD-ROM has been compiled with astonishing care. Each variety is minutely described, with advice on soil, position and possible insect & disease problems. If you have a specific look in mind but are unsure how to achieve it, you work your way backwards by searching for example, for something large, pink in a shady spot in September.
There is also generic guides to horticultural styles, such as cottage gardens, and interactive calendar that can tell you when & hope to prune.
This is a handy electronic tool for the green-fingered, or anyone who wants a red hot poke that's different from the neighbours'.
"Complete Gardens is a home grown product that acts as an all-singing all-dancing guide to shrubs, flowers and vegetables suited to the British climate."
BBC Gardeners' World magazine
Pick of the Best
This garden software CD is a great resource, packed with useful information about plants.
There's no scrimping on supporting images either, as there are more than 7,000 photographs.
A pleasure to use, as the sign-posting is clear. Head to the garden style and you are offered a choice of interactive designs, such as cottage gardens. Position the mouse over the garden pictures and click on any of the plants to reveal details of their attributes.
You will also find information on pests, diseases and weeds, and many garden articles. There is also an online forum for users to share garden information and ask questions.
"This garden software CD is a great resource, packed with useful information about plants."