Explore the best free garden planner apps available in 2026 for USA gardeners. Discover tools for vegetable layouts, planting calendars, and landscape design tailored to American zones.
I have used various garden planning tools over 10 years of gardening in the USA, from zones 5 to 8. In 2026, several reliable free options exist for planning vegetable beds, flower gardens, or full landscapes. These apps incorporate USDA hardiness zones, frost dates, and companion planting. Many offer freemium models with core features at no cost.
This guide focuses on fully free or substantially free tools accessible in the USA. I prioritize those with strong user feedback and practical features for home gardeners.
Why Use a Garden Planner App in 2026
Garden planner apps simplify layout design, crop rotation, and scheduling. They calculate planting dates based on your location and provide visual tools. In the USA, accurate frost date integration proves essential for success. Free versions often include basic design, calendars, and plant databases.
For zone information, reference the USDA Plant Hardiness Map.
Top Free Vegetable Garden Planner Apps
These focus on edible gardens, common in USA home settings.
- SeedTime – A leading free tool for 2026. Enter your location for automatic frost dates and zone suggestions. Create calendars for seeding, transplanting, and harvesting. The free tier supports one garden and basic planning. Premium adds journals and multiple beds.Visit SeedTime.
- From Seed to Spoon – Completely free mobile app for iOS and Android. Tailored to USA regions with personalized planting guides, companion planting, and care reminders. Input your zone to receive crop-specific advice for vegetables, herbs, and fruits.Download from Seed to Spoon.
- Planter – Freemium app with a solid free version. Drag-and-drop vegetables for visual bed layouts. Includes companion planting info and calendars. Free allows one garden; premium removes limits.Available on Planter.
These images illustrate typical vegetable bed layouts created in apps like Planter and SeedTime.
Free Tools for General and Landscape Garden Planning
These suit broader designs, including ornamentals and hardscapes.
- Gardena myGarden – Fully free online planner. Draw plots, add beds, paths, and plants. Supports irrigation planning. Browser-based with no download required. Ideal for USA users seeking simple visualization.Access at Gardena myGarden.
- Kitchen Garden Planner by Gardener’s Supply Company – Free basic tool for vegetable and kitchen gardens. Offers straightforward layouts and plant suggestions.Try it at Gardener’s Supply.
- Planner 5D – Free landscape design software with 3D rendering. Includes outdoor elements like plants, patios, and terrain. AI features assist quick layouts. Works on web, iOS, and Android.Explore Planner 5D.
These examples show 3D landscape visualizations from tools like Planner 5D.
Additional Options with Free Trials or Limited Free Access
- Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Planner – Offers a 7-day free trial. Excellent for detailed USA-specific calendars and layouts.
- GrowVeg – Provides a free trial for visual vegetable planning.
Many users combine free tools with spreadsheets for custom tracking.
How to Choose the Right App for Your Needs
- For vegetables only: Select SeedTime or From Seed to Spoon.
- For visual design: Use Planter or Gardena myGarden.
- For full landscapes: Opt for Planner 5D.
Test multiple options, as most require no payment to start. Input your ZIP code for accurate USA frost data.
For companion planting ideas, read my post on companion planting basics.
Start planning your 2026 garden today. These free tools make professional results achievable without cost.
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