Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about GardenPal
Go to the "My Garden" tab and tap "Add new garden". Enter your location, name your garden, and add plants based on your preferences.
Go to Profile, open Account settings, and select Delete account. This will permanently remove your account and associated data.
To receive accurate suggestions, make sure you have entered your garden's location, as well as the light and soil conditions. The app uses this information to recommend plants that are best suited to your environment.
Currently, if you signed in with Google/Apple, your email is managed by Google/Apple. To use a different email, you will need to delete your account and create a new one using email sign-up.
These terms describe the light conditions in your garden:
- Full sun: 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day
- Partial shade: 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
- Full shade: 3 or fewer hours of direct sunlight per day
Providing accurate light conditions helps the app match you with suitable plants.
RHS hardiness zones help you choose plants that will survive in your garden:
- A plant's RHS number shows how cold it can safely get before that plant is damaged or dies.
- A garden's RHS zone shows how cold it is likely to get in winter.
So for reliable survival, the plant's hardiness rating must be equal to or higher than your zone.
| RHS Zone | Temperature Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| H1a | > 15°C | Heated greenhouse – tropical |
| H1b | 10°C to 15°C | Heated greenhouse – subtropical |
| H1c | 5°C to 10°C | Heated greenhouse – warm temperate |
| H2 | 1°C to 5°C | Tender – cool or frost-free greenhouse |
| H3 | -5°C to 1°C | Half hardy – unheated greenhouse/mild winter |
| H4 | -10°C to -5°C | Hardy – average winter |
| H5 | -15°C to -10°C | Hardy – cold winter |
| H6 | -20°C to -15°C | Hardy – very cold winter |
| H7 | < -20°C | Very hardy – coldest winter |
Example: If your garden is in RHS zone H4 (average winter, -10°C to -5°C), you should choose plants rated H4 or higher (H5, H6, H7) to ensure they survive your winter temperatures.
1. The Squeeze Test (Texture Test)
Take a small handful of moist soil from your garden (about 10 cm deep) and roll it between your fingers:
- Clay soil: Feels sticky when wet and forms a smooth, flexible ribbon that bends without breaking.
- Sandy soil: Feels gritty and falls apart easily when squeezed.
- Loamy soil: Feels soft and slightly moist, forming a crumbly ball that holds its shape but breaks gently when pressed.
- Chalky soil: Feels gritty and may contain small white stones; often slightly alkaline.
2. The Drainage Test
Dig a small hole (about 30 cm deep) and fill it with water:
- If the water drains within an hour, your soil is free-draining (likely sandy or chalky).
- If the water takes more than four hours, it is poorly draining (probably clay).
- Two to three hours suggests a well-balanced loam, ideal for most plants.
Still have questions? Get in touch with support