Getting Started
Welcome to Garden Planner! This guide will help you get started with creating your first garden plan.
Quick Start Guide
Create your first garden in just 5 minutes:
Step 1: Set Your Garden Dimensions
Click the Settings icon in the toolbar to open the settings panel.
- Enter your garden width and height
- Choose between metric (meters) or imperial (feet) units
- Select a garden shape: Rectangle, Trapezoid, or Circle
- Give your garden a name
Step 2: Add Planting Areas
Click the Elements button in the toolbar to open the elements library.
- Drag Raised Beds onto your canvas for elevated growing areas
- Add Containers for potted plants
- Use Ground Beds for traditional in-ground planting
- Resize elements by dragging their corners
- Move elements by clicking and dragging
Step 3: Assign Plants
Click the Plants button to open the plants library.
- Browse 500+ vegetables, herbs, and flowers
- Click a plant to see detailed growing information
- Select an element on your canvas, then click "Assign" to add plants
- Adjust plant allocation percentages for mixed planting
Step 4: Set Planting Dates
Click on an element with assigned plants to open the element panel.
- Click the calendar icon next to a plant
- Select your planting date
- Harvest dates are calculated automatically
- View all dates in the Timeline view
Step 5: Save Your Plan
Click the Save button in the toolbar.
- If you're not logged in, you'll be prompted to create an account
- Free accounts can save 1 garden plan
- Premium accounts get unlimited plans
- Access saved plans anytime from "My Plans"
Understanding the Interface
Main Canvas
The central workspace where you design your garden. Use mouse/touch to:
- Pan: Click and drag on empty space to move around
- Zoom: Use zoom buttons or scroll wheel
- Select: Click on elements to select them
- Move: Drag selected elements to reposition
- Resize: Drag corner handles when an element is selected
Toolbar
Located at the top of the canvas with quick actions:
- Elements: Opens the elements library (beds, structures, paths)
- Plants: Opens the plant library for browsing and assigning
- Settings: Garden dimensions, shape, and preferences
- Timeline: View all planting and harvest dates
- Save: Save your garden plan to your account
- Share: Generate a shareable link
- Export: Download as PNG image
- Lock/Unlock: Prevent accidental changes
- Zoom In/Out: Adjust canvas zoom level
- Reset View: Return to default zoom and position
Side Panel
When you select an element, the side panel shows:
- Element name: Rename for easy identification
- Dimensions: Width, height, and area
- Shape: Change between rectangle, trapezoid, circle
- Assigned plants: View and manage plants in this element
- Plant capacity: How many plants can fit
- Notes: Add custom notes about this element
- Delete button: Remove element from canvas
Why Create an Account?
While you can use Garden Planner without an account, registering provides:
✓ Free Account Benefits
- Save 1 garden plan permanently
- Access from any device
- Share plans with friends and family
- Export as images
- Calendar integration for planting dates
✓ Premium Account Benefits
- Unlimited garden plans
- Create custom plants with your own varieties
- Add custom garden elements
- Priority support
- Early access to new features
Tips for Success
💡 Start Simple
Begin with a small garden and add complexity as you learn the tools.
💡 Use the Grid
Enable grid snapping in settings for perfectly aligned elements.
💡 Set Your Location
Adding your location helps suggest the best planting times for your region.
💡 Save Often
Save your work regularly to prevent losing changes.
💡 Lock Your Canvas
Lock the canvas when you're happy with your layout to prevent accidental changes.
Next Steps
Now that you understand the basics: