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These two free plant ID tools can help you level up your observation and identification skills, spot invasive species, and even engage in citizen science to track what is spreading in your area. If you garden, hike, or just want to know whether that weird thing in your yard is a native, a weed, or a problem waiting to happen, this episode is for you.
Sean sends Erin to do a trial run of the apps he actually trusts, including the built-in photo matching tools on smart devices, iNaturalist, and EDD Maps. They explain why a confident-looking app result is not the same as a correct identification, how to improve your odds with better photos, and how to improve your own skills by learning to think about location, season, leaf shape, branching pattern, and flower stage.
You’ll discover:
- Why free tools often beat paid plant ID apps
- How iNaturalist turns your plant photos into citizen science
- What EDD Maps tracks beyond plants, including insects, diseases, fungi, and wildlife
- How to increase your chances of an accurate match
Links
“Identify plants, animals, fungi, and more while adding to a living atlas of life on Earth.”
Find, map, and report invasive species in your area.
Find all our favourite gardening resources in one place.
Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment?
Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon.
Discord: https://discord.gg/K6wF9dY4Ja
Bluesky: @plantsalwayswin.com
TikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcast
YouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcast
Website: www.plantsalwayswin.com
Credits
Website Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin
Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays
License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH
Timestamps
00:12 Introduction
01:11 What’s Growing On? Erin’s Harvest + Japanese Beetles
03:26 What’s Growing On? Sean’s dividing perennials and purging hostas
06:53 The World’s Tallest Sunflower
09:52 What Is Your Favourite Plant Identification App?
10:27 Built-In Smart Device Photo Matching
12:06 Knowing the Basics of Plant Identification
13:30 iNaturalist for Native Plant Tracking
20:22 Himalayan Balsam in Thunder Bay, Ontario
23:48 Correctly Managing Invasive Species
27:43 EDDMapS for Invasive Plant Tracking
34:50 Final Thoughts and Best Practices for Plant ID Apps
38:00 Growing More Fruit Trees and Shrubs in Central-Northern Ontario
42:35 Outro and Contact Us
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