Online Garden Planning Tool

About Green Thumb

Green Thumb has been a member since April 20th 2010, and has created 717 posts from scratch.

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Planning a Garden

It sounds like is should be easy to plan a backyard vegetable garden. Yet, every year it’s the same thing. I pull out the plan from the past year, think about what worked and what didn’t, and start the whole process over again. Sometimes it starts on a napkin at the coffee shop. Other times I actually pull out a sheet of paper and start sketching it out.

I try to remember the actual dimension of the gardens themselves and then the sizes of the raised beds in the garden. I have to remember to set aside space for the pole beans because they seem to grow best on three poles set up in a triangle pattern at their base and then tied together at the top. Pole beans also seem to work well on a trellis. Then I have to figure out where to put the squash, tomatoes and everything else.

I usually get a bunch of ideas down and then start to think about things like what will grow best in that specific bed or how much sunlight does that vegetable really need? Are there complimentary vegetables that I can add to my garden design planning? Should any of the plants I’m thinking about be done as a part of a container garden plan? Should I be rotating crops from one bed to another? When should I plant what?

So much for easy! This year I decided to go online to see if I could find some better tools to help with the planning. I’d used Microsoft Visio in the past but never really could find a good garden template with good icons for the vegetables and enough information about each one. Visio is also pretty expensive, particularly if this is all you plan to do with it.

Better Homes and Gardens seemed promising. They offer a free garden planning tool. I entered my first name and an email address in the form and unchecked all of the “FREE” newsletter offers (I don’t want my mailbox filled with more stuff that slows down my PC), and then entered a password. Next came another screen that asked for a whole lot more specific information than I wanted to give out and a bunch of additional offers. I quickly realized that FREE really isn’t FREE if it means signing up for a bunch of other stuff.

In the end, I did finally manage to get into the BHG product itself but was disappointed. The user interface looks slick and pretty and it should have been easy to use, but it didn’t give me the information about the vegetables and plants that I was looking for, nor did it give any spacing information or rotational data. There weren’t even suggestions about what to plant where and why. In the end, it just makes pretty garden pictures.

I was looking for more…

Fortunately, I found a cool software package that you can try for 30 days at NO Cost. If you like it the cost is $25 to sign up. If you don’t it won’t have cost you anything to try.

Click Go To The Garden Planner to get started. You’ll be up and running in 4 EASY steps.

  1. On the garden planner website, click on the either the Free Trial link or click on the Start Garden Planner button in the upper right corner of the screen.
  2. Click on the “Create An Account” button, put in your email address and your password, then click on the OK button
  3. Check your email inbox for the account activation, then click on the OK button
  4. Check out the Learn to Use videos and have fun!

In no time at all I put together my garden and am now ready to go and plant my plan.

Answers To Your Questions About 27.5 Cm Shoe Size

Sharon asks…

My foot is 27,5 cm, what men’s shoe size should I get in the US?

Green Thumb answers:

The previous answer is wrong. You need a 10.5.

Lisa asks…

I am getting some Converses online?

i measured my foot and it is 27.5 cm (or 10.8 inch) . What size shoe should I be getting?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Black-Converse-All-Star-High-Top-Shoes-M8-5-W10-5-/130508899882?pt=AU_Men_Shoes&hash=item1e62efc62a#ht_4818wt_905

also i found these they seem to cheap? any thoughts?

Green Thumb answers:

You should be getting a 9, I just checked it out on a shoe size converter.
And no, they aren’t too cheap. Just go with the flow, dude.

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Answers To Your Questions About Vision Insurance

David asks…

Vision Insurance?

I need vision insurance. I am not covered under my parents vision insurance because the company dropped the insurance. I wear contacts and I get a supply for 3 months but still they are expensive because they are a special perscription. Are there any compannies that just offer vision insurance by itself? I don’t need the whole package just vision insurance. I am down to my last pair of contacts which will last me for a while. I am almost able to afford the contacts for this time but I am being laid off my job so I think I better get insurance while I still can. Please Help me.

Green Thumb answers:

There ARE vision plans — most stink. You can look online, etc. Most are discount plans.

The alternative (which is often available) is to see whether or not the optical store you go to has any such internal plan. They often provide this service, not just to save you money, but to guarantee that you continue going to them (instead of to a competitor).

The problem with vision insurance is exactly what you are talking about. EVERYONE who just wants vision insurance already needs glasses, contacts, or some such thing. It is guaranteed to cost the insurer a certain amount of money, so the premiums need to reflect, not only the guaranteed cost of the contacts, but eye surgery, etc.

Health insurance absorbs these costs within the overall premium (which must account for the fact that some might contract cancer, but most will need virtually no health care all year).

This is why vision plans are almost all “discount” plans.

Let your fingers do the walking, on the internet. You will find some plans, but do not expect to save as much as you might hope.

Daniel asks…

Vision insurance?

We have pretty good health insurance but our vision coverage stinks. I was thinking of enrolling in one of those discount card programs. Does anyone know of any that they can recommend?

Green Thumb answers:

AmeriPlan USA used to have a pretty good deal. I used to broker for them when I was a stay-at-home Mom. It’s a flat rate draft every month that guarantees you a discount on services. The vision care service providers agree to let you use the card along with your insurance so you’ll always get the best deal. They’ve also got a dental plan that’s a great add-on too.

The card also gets you a ton of other benefits as well.

Vision insurance really isn’t insurance anymore. It just gets you discounts or flat rates on things so this is another option. Their website can hook you up with an independant broker in your area so you can have someone local to ask questions before you decide to sign up.

Just a heads up. This IS an MLM so your broker will most likely ask if you’d like to sign up as a broker too. You are NOT required to do so to get the discount on services, so you can make your life simple by being clear up right up front that it will never be an option for you and not to ask again. They’ll probably appreciate it and won’t bother you about it again since they hate to waste a sales pitch!

Richard asks…

What Vision Insurance is considered good and cheap for the Philadelphia Area?

I’ve been considering it for a while but i have not found the insurance that covers vision also. I constantly need new contacts and frames and lenses. Anyone know a good vision insurance that covers also for ophthamologist>? If there is a health insurance that comes along with it that would be great but i basically could just need vision insurance. for the philadelphia, pa area.

Green Thumb answers:

Healthquotes.awardspace.info – here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.

William asks…

When do you start taking Dental / Vision insurance for kids ?

At what age do you include your kids in dental, vision insurance ? I have a 3 yr old. Isn’t it too early for her dental cleanups ? For vision I understand she could develop difficulty in seeing anytime but can I take her to her PCP for that ?

Green Thumb answers:

My 17 months old has been to the eye doctor to check for lazy eye and the insurance was helpful for sure.
As for dental….you are already behind the curve. They want to start seeing babies at 12 months or with their first tooth. I just brought my daughter in to the dentist for the first time as an emergency when I noticed her tooth turning black (which I thought was from a falling injury but was really stained from iron supplements). If she would have needed a root canal plus other stuff it would have been thousands and I was thanking God she was on my dental insurance!! I wouldn’t wait….

Ruth asks…

Can you use multiple vision insurance plans at the eye doctor?

I visited the eye doctor recently and was going to purchase new glasses. I have a vision plan through my employer, additional vision insurance through my wife’s employer, and a small benefit as part of my basic health insurance.
The sales person informed me I could only use one insurance, as per insurance regulations. This came as a surprise, since my wife visited the same office six months ago and had no problem using her primary and secondary insurance sources.
Is this person being truthful?

Green Thumb answers:

Well, they might be saying, we will only BILL one insurance company.

But that means if you want to file multiple claims, feel free.

It’s not likely to cover you the way you expect it to, though.

Joseph asks…

how come the vision insurance cover only the fist cost of his glass?

If we bought the vision insurance for self + adult, my husband got 2 glasses while I didn’t need anything. Can we get the coverage cost for 2? How come the insurance cover only the fist cost of his glass?

Green Thumb answers:

You can buy vision coverage without such limitations, for
example through MySimpleCard.com there is no limits
on number of glasses in any given year neither are there
limitations on what frames you can select.

Susan asks…

How much are contacts without vision insurance?

I need to get new contacts, but my job doesn’t offer vision insurance. i guess I’ll need to see an optometrist too. Any idea how much it will cost?

Green Thumb answers:

You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here – health-quotes.talk4fun.net

Betty asks…

Is vision insurance like regular health insurance in that you may not be covered if you already have glasses?

It’s hard to get health insurance if you have an existing problem. Is it also hard to get vision insurance like this?

I have never had vision insurance, but hope to get it soon. I am nearsighted in one eye and have astigmatism in the other, which are pretty common problems; but, even common problems make normal insurance difficult!

Green Thumb answers:

No.

Vision insurance just spreads the cost of an annual eye exam and glasses/contacts out over the course of a years premiums. Thats it. It doesnt matter whats wrong with your eyes. They wont even ask you whats wrong with your eyes when you apply. It doesnt matter.

So the answer is no…you cannot be “denied” a vision plan for a pre-existing vision problem. Not that i’ve ever heard of anyway

Helen asks…

Just need a vision insurance plan for my wife and I?

I just got eligible to receive benefits from my company I just started with. They offer great insurance except they offer no vision insurance. Does anyone know where I could get just vision insurance for a reasonable price?

Green Thumb answers:

Believe it or not, Walmart Third Party Insurance department at the Home office can help with that. I am not real familiar with induvudual accounts, as I am more involved in the field with safety accounts.

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Answers To Your Questions About Vision Airlines

Thomas asks…

Does anyone know how much it costs to charter a flight with Vision airlines?

answers:

Well it depends which of their aircraft you want. They can cost anywhere from $1,500 per hour to $40 or 50,000 per hour.

Carol asks…

anyone know anything about vision airlines?

I am looking at flying my mom from Arkansas to Florida, and this airline advertises REALLY low rates. I was trying to see what the deal was. Is it just a really good deal, or is there some kind of catch? I was wondering if anyone had ever flown with them. Thanks!

answers:

I have flown on Vision Airlines 3 times and they are the real deal. They have been flying as a charter airline for a long time but are just starting in the commercial airline business. The airport in Ft Walton Beach is their hub and you can fly there from over 20 cities on a 737 airplane and a low fare. Book the flight. Your mom will be just fine.

Linda asks…

Website no help. Anyone have an idea what Vision Airlines plans to charge for a flight from Page, AZ to Vegas?

answers:

Http://visionairlines.com/
and read the following article: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0408gr-newsmaker0408Z12.html

Donna asks…

are there international airlines that allow cabin crew to have variations in vision (exc/ept color blindness)?

for example, if the person has a vision of 250, or other than 20/20
the flight attendants specifically.

answers:

Cabin crew do not have any vision requirements
except for severe colorblindness

They will give you a vision test and you may need to get glasses(spectacles) but thats it

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Answers To Your Questions About Questions About Greenhouses

Mark asks…

Atmospheric absorption spectra?

Absorption spectra are the charachteristic “lines” which are absorbed (or emitted, if gas is heated) by a gas. Each type of molecule (like CO2 or H2O) absorbs specific portions of the infrared spectrum. This chart shows how much of each portion of the infrared spectrum is absorbed, and by which gas in the atmosphere

http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Atmospheric_Transmission_png

Notice that :
– the bands affected by CO2 are already ~100% absorbed
– The band where the outgoing infrared is allowed, is weakly affected by water vapor
– The smaller chart at the side shows 40 watts directly radiated back to space, 195 watts of thermal radiation – this would be due to conduction and convection transferring heat to upper atmosphere.

Now , nobody seriously suggests that increasing CO2 will directly increase the greenhouse effect. The hypothesis is that increased CO2 will cause increased water vapor and that will increase the effect. But :
– Gases rise as they warm (convection). Water vapor is 18/28ths (by mole wt.) of the other gases, so it rises well – until it reaches an altitude cool enough to condense it (which releases heat)
-Water vapor content varies (humidity). areas with low hunidity are that way for reasons. The bitter cold of the upper atmosphere or the arctic. The heat of the deserts ( causes increased convection of H2O)
– Although water vapor only reaches to 25000 feet (the highest clouds) , 2/3rd of the atmosphere is below 25000 feet – barometric pressure decreases rapidly. So is 2/3rds of whatever greenhouse effect
is due to other gases.
– increased water vapor means an increase in the evaporation/ convection/ condensation cycle – a very effective negative feedback. If it’s cold out, the wator vapor ends up being snow over wider areas- ( has anyone noticed? )increased albedo is another negative feedback. And increased albedo from more cloud cover.

Nobody seriously questions that CO2 is a greenhouse gas, or that there’s a greenhouse effect. Nor that global warming has been occuring since the little ice age ended ~1860. Statements that “scientists don’t question greenhouse effect or global warming” are misleading.

The questions :
– Is all that beyond the understanding of voters?
– shouldn’t the media and schools be talking about the facts of the matter, rather than scary speculations about inundated cities & such?
– Since the energy policies needed to fight AGW would make 4$ gasoline look like a warning shot, shouldn’t there be serious debate, including educating the public?
– If 4$ gas was a warning shot, wouldn’t cap & trade be like having the green gang ( or gang green, if you prefer) shoot us in the foot, after the warning shot?
– Since gas prices began receding immediately after pres. Bush forced discussion of the idea of talking about increased oil drilling in the USA, shouldn’t we send him a thank you note, every time we buy gas for 1.50?
Great answers
– The reason the upper atmosphere is bitter cold, even during the daytime,is because IR is freely radiated into space.
Like a night in the desert, without water vapor “blocking” the IR, the greenhouse effect is unimpressive. A near vacuum is nearly transparent to IR, right? Even if the upper atmosphere was entirely co2, wide swaths of the spectrum would be unrestricted.
The small graphic at the right shows about 1/6th of IR is directly radiated to space from the surface. I’d point out that at the surface a molecules re-emission would have a 50% chance of hitting the dirt, in the upper atmoshere it’d have a 50% chance of going into space, never to return. Being that the re-emmision is in the wavelengths the gases are most opaque at, the 50% going down would have a difficult path back to the surface, tending to be reabsorbed and return by convection.
greenhouse is a bad analogy. Better : layers of mesh, decreasing resistance to outflow. allows convection.

Green Thumb answers:

I have been trying to get to the bottom of the greenhouse effect aswell recently, some call it simple physics but even an article on Realclimate.org stated it was complex to explain with simple physics or even climate models, hence it is simulated with simplified equations designed to represent climate but not based literally physics (due to the complexity that would be required in the model) and complex radiative convection is ignored etc…many explantions are contradictory of each other and are often simplifications that do not really explain the physics behind it (and the physics are very complex and poorly understood i.e. Hypothesised).

Hienz Hug is not the only person to try such practical experiments and tests done with glass also show the same results, i.e. A material that absorbs infrared doesnt warm the air beneath and in some instances causes very slight cooling. Practical tests in science take priority over models on the evidence scale, hence the tests are the most reliable indication of what increased co2 will do, though it doesnt make it correct.

The climate modellers explain it as this: there are “layers” in which infrared is abosrbed, what isnt absorbed in the first one that is already a max absorbtion moves up until it can find a layer that isnt at its max, by adding co2 there will be more co2 higher up to absorb infrared.

Re-emission by definition is caused by a gas that gains no heat.
Instead the level at which energy is readiated to space rises and due to it being cooler, its less efficient at loosing the heat, and hence warming occurs. The mechanism that no one seems to explain well is how this extra warmth (which hasnt been observed) makes it then back to the surface against the energy flow to warm surface air below, and what radiative convection would occur due to warmer air and cooler air meeting.

Gerlich 2007 also discusses some of the problems with the greenhouse theory, for example it is in breach of the second law of thermodynamics. See his paper in sources below.

Jelbring, 2003 also demonstrates that the greenhouse effect can be explained in a completely different manner to climate models within the bounds of physics. “Here, using a different approach, it is shown that GE can be explained as mainly being a consequence of known physical laws describing the behaviour of ideal gases in a gravity field” The comment from his paper above suggests the current explanation is not currently explained entirely within known physical laws.

Finally, I read an article recently where something like 50 MIT physicists were given the task of working out what reduction in co2 would be needed to curb disaster, all of them came up with differing answers and none were apparently correct, demonstrating how it is difficult to understand or explain within the laws of physics. This just demonstrates how complex the explanation really is. The there is the issue water vapour or co2 isnt well mixed at the surface (where most absorbtion occurs) as its missing or outgassed from the sea at the equator and re-absorbed at the poles etc…

Greenhouse effect aside, the other issue of course that the co2 lifetime is only around 7.5 years (based on the average of 31 peer reviewed papers) based on c12/c13 isoptope analysis at Mauna Loa, which proves that nearly all the rise in co2 has been predominantly natural due to outgassing from the sea as it warmed (this is backed up by the earths climate history), and why this may add some warming, it is a natural effect and cutting emissions will make no difference unless (I wont go into what has warmed the sea, it certaintly isnt air temps as its drives them).

The IPCC of course use an un-validated model to show all the increase was man made, and are left with a mysterious co2 sink that absorbs 50% of co2 that no one can find (i.e the model fails validation). That makes much more sense than using actual observations!

Jenny asks…

Greenhouse Gases Questions?

1) Do the heat-absorbing gases get their heat directly from the sun? Where does the heat come from?

2) What is the difference about the heat given off by the Sun and the heat given off by the Earth (after it has been heated by the sun)?

Green Thumb answers:

Actually, the sun is FAR too far away from us to give us any heat directly (contrary to the popular “Goldilocks” belief, we do not live the “perfect” distance away from the sun.)

The heat in our atmosphere is generated by greenhouse gasses, which absorb the sun’s radiation. Radiation is different from heat and can easily travel the distance from the sun to earth without getting weakened much.

So ALL of the heat on earth is generated right here at home, by greenhouse gasses and also by the surface (we all know dark surfaces absorb light, and thus turn it into heat–that’s why we wear light colored clothes in the summer).

Daniel asks…

Questions about global warming and greenhouse gasses?

1) What are some important naturally occuring sources of methane and carbon dioxide. (since they’re the main atmosphere’s greenhouse gasses.)
2) What are some important carbon sinks in operation on the planet?
3) How are humans “tipping the balance” of the carbon cycle?
4) Which is the most important greenhouse gas, and why?
5) What human activities seem to contribute most to the global warming problem?

Thanks a lot guys! Anything u can help with is appreciated. :D :D:D

Green Thumb answers:

An outstanding summary in December 18 SCIENCE, free download

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/326/5960/1646

http://www.sciencemag.org/

cgi/content/full/326/5960/1646

Donna asks…

Greenhouse Industry!?!?

Im going to be doing a survey this week, asking questions about greenhouses, what kind of questions would you guys ask if you need information. Anything would be great. Also, SWOT(Strenght,Weaknesses,Opportunities and Threats)—–What do you think the weaknesses and opportunities are?
Thanks
Mj

Green Thumb answers:

Hello matthew,
whats the purpose of your survey, r u looking to start one?
R u thinking about maybe selling them? Just asking.
I have 3 of them im small time though 1 is 18 by 40 it was bought as
a comerical house we out grew it quick . I buildt 2 more myself
10 by 20 . Ive learned from one to the other each time .
To make them more strudy . The weaknesses is trying to keep them warm in the winter . Meaning a cheap way i have a woodburning stove in the big house , but that means getting up during the night to keep the fire going . Threse other ways but this was my cheapist opption.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any ? At rog1376_2000@yahoo.com
thanks roger

Sandy asks…

Why don’t liberals question how much greenhouse gas and pollution is released during hollywood action movie?

explosions?

Never hear a word about that. It’s a completely unnecessary release of huge amounts of crap right into the air….not a word about it.

Green Thumb answers:

Because most idiot liberals are Hollywood people.

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Answers To Your Questions About Garden Planning Website

Richard asks…

Online Gardening Website?

I saw a news clip about a young couple who had created a website to assist in garden planning. They would make suggestions based on climate, mail seeds, and send e-mail reminders. I’ve tried multiple searches for this site, but am only coming up with the more corporate and less effective sites. Any one know where I can find this?

Green Thumb answers:

The best comprehensive site I’ve found is landscaping.com. This is also a good, established company”

Helen asks…

i need to find a website on desk garden making?

i am planning to make a desk garden but don’t know how to start. i am living in the southern part of my country and it is really hard for me to find a book on gardening. thanks in advance

Green Thumb answers:

Try this site
http://www.ehow.com/how_2096026_make-desk-top-zen-garden.html

James asks…

Is there a website that has gardening plans with pictures?

I’m a beginner at gardening and don’t know what flowers and plants look nice together or how to plant them. So I am looking for a site that has examples of gardens and points out what kind of flowers and plants were used. I found Burpee.com which sells a kit but I am looking for something more detailed. It doesn’t even need to be a plant selling company. Or maybe a web site of experts that i can send a picture to and could label the flowers.

Green Thumb answers:

Garden Gate puts out nice and easy garden plans. You also get a shopping list to help you when you go to the garden center. You get a watercolor picture to show the garden and there are tons of options to choose from. The plants in the designs are generally quite easy to come by and you can substitute also if you can’t find something – just stick the a similar color and height when doing so.

I recommend these plans as they take the guess work out! Best of luck. Happy Gardening.

Ruth asks…

planning a perennial garden. grrrrrr?

anyone know of a good website to help me figure out what to plant? i’ve looked around on the web but haven’t found anything useful. i’ve looked through books and magazines but there’s so much out there, it’s very confusing. i have a diagram of the area and will be taking it to a wonderful nursery by our home but, i’d like to go in with at least some ideas rather than none. help.

Green Thumb answers:

I hear you. There are no good, easy, and applicable websites for flower beds! They’re either all too complicated, not what I’m looking for, or the plants don’t grow in my region. Grrr.

Here’s some of the things I do:

- I walk around my neighborhood looking for nice flower beds and gardens. When i see one I like I make a few mental notes on what shape they were in, what plants were there (even if I don’t know the names – I can choose something similar or ask that neighbor), and the contrast of the colors blooming at the same time. Stuff like that.

-I don’t bother with hardiness zones and all that complicated stuff. My local garden center won’t sell that lovely shrub I saw on the internet if it won’t grow where I live anyway.

-I ask my friends and neighbors about their plants. They’re always eager to share!

Then I just plant. Some of the stuff comes along nicely. Other stuff doesn’t do well. Every year I find myself digging some of them up and moving them around, and strange as it sounds … That’s the fun part!

Michael asks…

Looking for a website with ideas about reusing salvaged materials?

I’m planning an eco-friendly garden, and I’ve been searching for a website that will give me ideas about how to reuse ‘junk’ from the dump or scrap yards. I can’t find anything! I would love some ideas, thanks a lot!

Green Thumb answers:

Good for you “re-use” is the most important “R”
I’m sorry I don’t know of a website but be creative old records and album covers make nice clocks, old wooden ladders make pretty planter holders OR you can put pictures on them OR in the garden for climbing plants like Ivy, borken pottery make nice collages for tabletops or stepping stones in the garden. So see all you have to do is see the beauty and possibility in thing.My sister tells me there are books at chapters

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