FOR a device that is designed to be used while on the go, the smartphone turns out to be a surprisingly adept aid to anyone working on a home or garden. And with mobile applications now numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the question is not “Are there apps out there to help my renovation/garden project/home-repair project?” but “Which ones?” Below, 20 mobile tools that will help make your smartphone a better “home” computer than, well, your home computer. Home Improvement Paint chips can be daunting. (How many shades of gray can there be?) Rather than attempting to decipher them all, find a hue you like in the real world and turn it into a gallon of paint with either of these tools. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams offer free applications that analyze the colors within photos you have snapped or uploaded to your mobile, and then display the closest matches Read More

It’s hard to believe, but it looks like we’re finally out of the doldrums of winter. For those who live in climates with more distinguishable seasons, April bears witness to the emergence of the warmer sun, longer days, and the promise of summer — all ushering in the start of another gardening season. Those who garden know that timing is everything, and a bountiful crop requires planning and organization. For novice and advanced gardeners alike, there is always something that can be learned about getting the best from the earth. Following are 10 great gardening apps that serve that very purpose, and can help yield juicier tomatoes, more fragrant rosemary, and brighter hydrangeas. Although the cost of this app is high, gardeners of all levels will appreciate the sheer volume of information that is contained in Landscaper’s Companion. This app serves as an encyclopedia of more than 1,400 plants across 16 Read More

Just a quick thank you to the publishers of The Plant Doctor app, sponsors of our first sponsored post (which ran last Sunday).  Here’s the brief description of the app: The Plant Doctor provides interactive diagnosis and advice about plant diseases in gardens, landscapes, nurseries and farms. The app provides descriptions of ten of the most common plant diseases. If users are unsure about the nature of their own problem, they may purchase a diagnosis. This one is not for me as I have two plant doctors living with me (my wife and daughter) but seems a good idea for when resident plant doctors are stumped or if you haven’t got any sharing your place with you.   You can find it HERE in the App Store.  It’s a free app and diagnoses are an in-app purchase. Read More