Do you dream of a thriving garden but feel restricted by local climate data? Smart Gardener has you covered!  We leverage US-based climate information to suggest ideal plants and planting times for your zip code. But here's the beauty: you're in control!  If your green thumb thrives by its own rhythm, simply skip the location setup and dive right in. Track your progress with our handy To-Do list and garden journal, regardless of where your gardening journey takes you. With Smart Gardener, location is just a suggestion, not a limitation. 


Access the Garden Settings page to adjust your Growing Seasons and Growing Conditions for a personalized approach:


Step 1: Access your Garden Settings 

Head over to your garden's settings page 

 




Step 2: Enter Zip Code Before Customizing Your Growing Conditions 

Click on the Edit link under "GROWING SEASON SETTINGS: WHAT CAN I GROW AND WHEN?" to edit the zip code that suits your location. 



Note: You can use any US zip code, but you should choose one that has a somewhat similar climate to where you are gardening. This is so that Smart Gardener can offer you more accurate plant variety recommendations. If you change your zip code after you set your conditions and/or frost dates you will lose your changes.  


Step 3: Customize your Growing Seasons

Click on the blue Edit link under Your Growing Seasons on the Garden Settings page to view a more specific growing conditions chart.



 

Step 4: Find Your Climate Graph

Search online for a climate graph representing your location (or the closest major city). This graph should display the average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for each day or week of the year.


Step 5: Match Temperatures to Growing Seasons 

Compare the temperature ranges on your climate graph to the pre-defined ranges listed on the left side of the "Your Growing Seasons" chart in Smart Gardener. 


Step 6: Mark Your Growing Seasons

If the temperature range on the climate graph falls within any of the pre-defined ranges in Smart Gardener, select the corresponding box in the "Your Growing Seasons" chart. This indicates which periods are suitable for plant growth in your location. 


Step 7: Explore for Further Details

Click on the "How does this work?" link within Smart Gardener for additional information on how to interpret climate graphs and customize your growing conditions. 




Below is an example of what a Climate Graph may look like courtesy of usclimatedata.com, but you can also find these graphs at worldweatheronline.com, weather.com, weatherspark.com and more.  You can also just google "(your city) average high and low temp".


 

 

Step 8: Set your frost dates according to your location

If your region experiences distinct frost periods, you can customize these dates by clicking 'Edit' and then 'Save'.  




Note: If your location doesn't experience frost, we recommend the following:

 

  1. Set the Spring Last Frost date to be 2 to 3 weeks before the time that local sources tell you to plant Tomatoes outdoors in your climate.
  2. Set the Fall First Frost date to be roughly 3 months after you would plant Peas in the fall in your climate.


Step 9: You are all set to start growing great food with Smart Gardener! 

Great work! You will now receive accurately timed To Dos for the plants in your garden, and you will be recommended plants based on your actual climate.