Gardening with Windows Mobile

I’m big into gardening—and this summer I’m actually able to do some. I’ve got a patch of soil, a bit of free time, and (hopefully) a warm, sunny summer ahead.

To be honest, while planning the farm, I didn’t consider my mobile phone: shovel, hoe, and gloves—sure. But a phone? Not so much. Well, color me surprised (and my thumb green) when I realized how invaluable Windows Mobile was in making me the garden pro I am today.

Though not recommended for digging, I heartily endorse Windows Mobile phones for a variety of garden-related tasks.

The procedures presented here were written using a touch screen phone, the Samsung Omnia from Verizon Wireless. Steps may differ slightly on non-touch screen phones.

Ever come across a flower or other plant that you’d like to add to your garden, but you don’t know its name? Happens to me all the time. Back in February, for example, I stumbled upon an early-blooming, sweet-smelling bush that lives in my front yard. But what was it?

I studied the plant intently, so I’d be sure to recognize it at the garden center—even though I knew history had proven this method futile. Once among the aisles of plants, my keen observations (green leaves, white flowers, bushy) inevitably applied to half the plants in the store.

Here’s where Windows Mobile stepped up. I used my phone’s camera to photograph the shrub. It took me just a few seconds to snap several pictures. I showed them to the woman at the nursery and she told me the shrub’s name: Sarcococca ruscifolia, or Fragrant Sweet Box.

You can also use your phone’s camera to help diagnose pests and disease (though getting the little buggers to smile is tricky). Or you can take a photo and set it as your Today screen, so you can take your garden with you.

To take a photo using your phone’s camera:

To use an image as your Today screen:

Keeping the garden watered is tantamount to success, especially for container gardens. Try as I might, I usually lose one or two hanging baskets to drought each year.

That is, until this summer. Now I’m using alarms to remind me every morning, about five minutes before I’m out the door.

To set a daily alarm:

Tracking the weather and responding to changing conditions helps me manage the garden. I often camp during summer weekends, so I check the forecast with Windows Live before I leave town. If it’s going to be hot and sunny, I’ll drag certain plants into the shade and give the beds a thorough soaking the night before I leave. If rain is predicted, I don’t bother moving plants, and I water minimally, if at all.

To check the weather using Windows Live:

Windows Mobile also helps me enjoy the fruits (and vegetables, herbs, and flowers) of my labors. I search the web for recipes using today’s harvest, as well as for tips on canning.

“Tomato” is a frequent word in my search strings. This summer I’ll be making lots of tomato sauce and my new favorite, Pico di Gallo—heavy on the cilantro. I also found a really good spicy pickle recipe to try.

To search the web: