This is the main content of the Garden Notebook application. In this window you can create, modify and delete the various data that make up the Garden Notebook. From this help page you can link to detailed information about the various features of the application.

  1. File menu

    1. Properties

      This will open the Configuration window

    2. Import as JSON

      This will load the database with the JSON files specified in the Configuration window. You should only use this on an empty database (a simplistic check is made); the intention is to use this to roll forward into a newly initialised database.

    3. Export as JSON

      This will export the database as JSON files as specified in the Configuration window.

    4. New

      This gives a quick way to make various Diary entries.

      1. Pests & Diseases

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Pests & Diseases entry in the Diary.

      2. Groundwork

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Groundwork entry in the Diary.

      3. Husbandry

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Husbandry entry in the Diary.

      4. Purchase

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Purchase entry in the Diary. A purchase is often a convenient starting point in the History of a crop.

      5. Sale

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Sale entry in the Diary.

      6. Weather

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Weather entry in the Diary.

      7. Wildlife

        This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Wildlife entry in the Diary.

  2. ‘Start here’ tab

    1. Diary

      This is the entry point for displaying the Diary.

    2. Plant catalogue

      This will open the Plant Catalogue.

    3. Shopping

      This will open the Shopping Tab.

    4. Catalogues

      This will open the Catalogues tab.

    5. Reminders

      This will show the current Reminders.

  3. Catalogues tab

    Catalogues, in this application, are lists of various types of data which do not generally appear as diary entries but are needed to support those entries.

    1. Plant catalogue

      This will open the Plant Catalogue.

    2. Retailers

      This will show the current Retailers. Retailers are usually added automatically when you add a new Purchase but there are various extra types of information you can add here.

    3. Brands

      This will show the current Brands. Brands are usually added automatically when you add a new Purchase. You can use this to mark a brand as an ‘own brand’ for a given retailer in which case it will be set up by default when you add a purchase.

    4. Products

      This will show the current Products. Products are usually added automatically when you add a new Purchase. Here you can view the various products and amend or delete them. The purchase and shopping list editors tend to create some spurious products.

    5. Product types

      This will show the Product types. Each product must be of a given type; the application at installation has a set of product types which should be sufficient.

      In particular, note that products which are plant oriented (e.g. seeds, potted plants) are handled differently from other types (e.g. compost, garden tools).

    6. Husbandry types

      This will show the Husbandry types. ‘Husbandry’ entries in the diary are the life-cycle events in a plant's life - sowing, potting up, harvesting, etc. The application as installed has a list of those life-cycle stages which I have found useful; you are free to add, remove or rename any of these entries.

    7. Pests & diseases

      This will show the current Pests & diseases. This list is created automatically as you make Pests & Diseases entries in the Diary.

    8. Groundwork activities

      This will show the Groundwork activities. ‘Groundwork› entries in the diary are those garden activities not part of a plant's life-cycle, such as digging a bed, putting up plant supports. The application as installed comes with a list of such activities which I have found useful; you are free to add, remove or rename any of these entries.

    9. Weather conditions

      This will show the current Weather conditions. These are usually added automatically as you make Weather entries in the Diary.

    10. Wildlife species

      This will show the current Wildlife species. These are usually added automatically as you make Wildlife entries in the Diary.

  4. Shopping tab

    This is a list of activities associated with purchases.
    1. Purchase

      This is a convenient way to open the window to create a new Purchase entry in the Diary. A purchase is often a convenient starting point in the History of a crop.

    2. Shopping list

      This opens a tab where you can edit the Shopping list.

    3. Retailers

      This will show the current Retailers.

    4. Brands

      This will show the current Brands.

    5. Products

      This will show the current Products.

    6. Product types

      This will show the Product types.

  5. Working area

    This is where the various lists and editors mentioned above are opened.

  6. To-do list

    This is a list of actions which have come up from the Reminders system. You can use the context menu (right mouse button) to process these actions.

    1. Complete menu

      Use this to say you have performed the action noted. An appropriate tab will be opened in the Working area.

    2. Dismiss menu

      Use this to throw away the action without further handling. You might use this if you had set up a Watch for on a Husbandry entry but that event is no longer relevant.