Question 1

Is PlotMyGarden really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, PlotMyGarden is completely free and always will be. There are no premium tiers, subscriptions, in-app purchases, or advertisements. The app is open-source and maintained by the community.

Question 2

Where is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

All your data is stored locally on your device in your browser's localStorage. Nothing is sent to any server. This means your data stays private but also means it won't sync between devices or browsers. Clearing your browser data will delete your PlotMyGarden data.

Question 3

Can I export my garden designs?

Accepted Answer

Export functionality is on our roadmap. In the meantime, you can take screenshots of your garden layouts or use your browser's developer tools to access the raw JSON data from localStorage (look for keys prefixed with "plotmygarden:").

Question 4

How accurate is the plant data?

Accepted Answer

Our plant database is compiled from publicly available horticultural resources and covers general growing information for 100+ plants. However, growing conditions vary significantly by region, microclimate, and soil type. Always cross-reference with local extension services and seed packet instructions for your specific area.

Question 5

Why does the weather feature need my location?

Accepted Answer

The weather feature uses your latitude and longitude to fetch a 7-day forecast from the Open-Meteo API (a free, open-source weather service). Only coordinates are sent — no personal information. Location is also used to estimate your USDA hardiness zone. Both features are entirely optional.

Question 6

Can I use PlotMyGarden offline?

Accepted Answer

PlotMyGarden works partially offline once loaded — your garden layouts and plant data are available without an internet connection. However, weather forecasts and the AI assistant require an internet connection to function.

Question 7

I accidentally cleared my browser data. Can I recover my gardens?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, since all data is stored locally in your browser, cleared data cannot be recovered. We recommend periodically backing up your important garden designs. We're working on import/export functionality to make this easier in the future.

Question 8

How can I contribute to PlotMyGarden?

Accepted Answer

PlotMyGarden is open-source! You can contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting features, submitting pull requests, or improving plant data. Visit our GitHub repository to get started.

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