What! Another really useful service gone!

The plant lists are all there, you just can't get the 'care calendar' or plant details any more. The lists are the most useful to me, as I have them sorted into separate lists for different beds, categories etc. I didn't really use the care calendar as it was far too generalised and non-editable (ie it would tell me I needed to gather seed from things I don't intend to grow from seed, or plant things in the wrong month for my location) so I don't miss it, but it's still irritating to lose it. I don't understand their logic making the plant details payable on the app when you can just search the main site for the plant and they're there (so it's just fiddly and annoying but not impossible). Maybe they'll make them payable there too, though I really don't think it's in their interests to do so.

This has been the case for quite a while now though?

 

£3.99 a month?!!!!

Listen, send me a filthy fiver every other month and I’ll tell you anything you like.

 

They did notify, but it was some time ago. And there was a period (can't remember how long) where there were warnings on the app that certain content would require a subscription from a set date. I do think it's weird that it's not counted as part of RHS membership though.

 

@LG_ I'm not sure what you mean by the plant details, but if you are on the website and looking at "My Plants" you can still click on individual plants and details come up.
I deleted the app so maybe not on there.

 

At the bottom of the app screen there is an icon “Care Tips” and it lists monthly tasks.

Also, if you click on a plant you have in the “My Garden” part there is an option “Plant Profile” which takes you to the details you see on the RHS website. It also lists this month’s care tips for the plant.

These are free in the app, you don’t have to pay anything. If you subscribe you get additional things.

Here is the RHS help page which tells you how to access your old plant lists in the app and confirms what you can access in the free version.
RHS Grow / RHS Gardening

 

That's my point - you can get the individual plant details/ care tips in the website anyway (at least for now!), so it's just more fiddly and irritating than it was when it was all free in the app. The care calendar etc (which brings them all together rather than clicking through on each individual one) is no longer free. Though as you can see from how many tasks I haven't ticked off that I didn't use it anyway - too general!



It does irritate me that it says I have to 'become an RHS Supporter' to use the extra features. I'm a member, so apparently members aren't supportive. It should say 'Become a Grow Subscriber' (Grow! is the name of the app) as that's what they really mean.

 

@LG_ , I get the care tips for my plants in that section and home as soon as I go in the app. There must be something wrong as I have never been a paying member & only subscribed to the app for one month @ £3.99 some time ago now .

 

But I don't want to use an "App" ! Well certainly not theirs if their IT on their website is anything to go by, they are amateur and disjointed. It was not important enough to bother with, but I couldn't add "my plants" or to any "lists". Trouble is likely the IT is platform specific and a bit more tricky to maintain/expand. I may use my TV, mobile or (more likely) this little notebook PC, then it's the browser I use and or the OS e.g. Windows nn , Ubuntu etc. They should stick to plants not IT and if the latter is needed get someone better to do it.
Like I've said I do use their site often for information on plants and purchase but can also use this site for such. I'm sure many others do the same and they (RHS) should not put that at risk.

 

Oh and their magazine's new cover annoyed every single anti monarchist bone in my body but they have to keep that R so badly

 

Pull it off and stick on dartboard.
I do know one bar where the toilets are marked with pictures of Di and Charles.

 

I won't use an app free or otherwise, the RHS site can be useful about pests and diseases, pruning etc. They tend to be conservative with the hardiness ratings and a lot of the things I grow especially trees and shrubs just aren't covered.
For many things you can find more informative websites and books on the specific genera or type, than the RHS, with more pictures and info.
I am a life member and I have to live another 10 years to save money.
The RHS website is far far better than anything the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) has ever done. I will not becoming a life member of the RSC when I retire next year.

 

"I am a life member and I have to live another 10 years to save money."

Are you Scottish by any chance @NigelJ ?
Hopefully, you'll get your money's worth...

I agree about the pruning/pests info, and also hardiness ratings on the RHs site. I often think there's too much emphasis on temps. alone, on many other sites as well, which is very misleading. That's only a small part of the picture when it comes to how well a plant will grow and thrive.