Virtual gardening

By DEAN FOSDICK • For the Associated Press

As smartphones keep getting faster, smaller and loaded with more features, there's something for everyone, even gardeners.

Gardening apps aim to help with everything from researching a particular plant to locating supplies for fending off mosquitoes. Some are free, but most involve a one-time fee for downloading into your handset.

Here are some useful gardening programs available online. Not every app remains on the virtual shelves for long or operates with every phone, so check for availability and compatibility before ordering.

"Pocket Garden" (iPhone, 99 cents): Contains pictures and advice about growing hundreds of plants, mostly vegetables. You also can jot down notes about seeds and plants in a handy My Garden section.

"Flowers Guide" (iPhone, $1.99): An alphabetical database of 55 flowers with photos, botanical name, origins and descriptions, growing requirements, planting and bloom times.

"Botanical Interests" (iPhone, $5.99): This online seed company offers tips about growing vegetables and a primer on seed starting, soil preparation, attracting pollinators, plant histories and much more.

"Garden ToDo" (iPhone, $1.99): Organizes yard tasks. Enter a list of your plants or planting sites and the app will tell you when to prune, mow, fertilize, divide and harvest, among other chores.

"Landscaper's Companion" (Android, $6.99): Useful for information gathering, selecting plants or simply gazing at pictures of trees and shrubs, flowers and vegetables. Comes with cultivation tips, water usage, plant size at maturity and sun requirements.

"Garden Supplies Store Finder" (iPhone, 99 cents): One click gives you the directions or a map to the nearest home and garden store.

"Repel Mosquito" (iPhone, 99 cents): Developers claim it transmits a sound frequency "unbearable" to blood-sucking mosquitoes.

"London: Kew Gardens Guide and Audio" (iPhone, $4.99): A virtual visit to the famous Kew Gardens displays spectacular plants in gorgeous settings, with iconic buildings and an hourlong soundtrack.