BG-Map Feature Article - BG-Map Garden Notepad - Record Plant Condition and Size in the Field

BG-Map
Garden Notepad
Record Plant Condition and Size in the Field

Don't have BG-Map yet? Learn about the GreVid and Garden Notepad Stand-Alone Version

Download the Latest Version of Garden Notepad

Garden Notepad can be run on Windows-based Pocket PC's running Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition or Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0.
BG-BASE is a trademark of BG-BASE, Inc.

"I have used the Garden Notepad in our Core Gardens inventory of plants. I saved so much time in the field and in the office... I feel that the Garden Notepad is a helpful addition to our plant records system!"

Angela Brown, Plant Recorder
The North Carolina Arboretum

Image courtesy of Scott Arboretum Garden Notepad is a time and labor saving software package that allows garden staff to capture information about the size and condition of plants in the field on a hand-held computer and automatically upload and transfer that information to BG-BASE^TM.

Garden Notepad is integrated with BG-Map GreVid^TM, allowing you to easily switch between both applications.

Barcode and RFID Compatible

Garden Notepad can be used with pre-printed or user-printed barcode labels or with RFID tags.

Garden Notepad can record these pieces of information:

Plant Condition - Record a code corresponding to the general condition of the plant.

Number of Trunks - Record the number of trunks for multi-trunked trees. Multiple trunks are automatically displayed on the map.

Sex - Record the sex of the plant.

Reproductive Status - Record the current flowering or fruiting status.

Dropdown Lists Simplify Data Entry
Dropdown Lists Simplify Data Entry

Vegetative Status - Record the code for the current vegetative status.

Container - Record the code for the plant container.

Vegetative Status and Container Code

Plant Location - Record the codes for the current plant location and location change type.

Number of Plants - Record the current number of plants or the word MASS.

(To access these features, GreVid is required.)

Record Plant Location

Spread - Record the canopy spread in feet or meters. Canopy spread is automatically displayed on the map.

DBH - Record the trunk diameter at breast height in inches or centimeters. Trunk size is automatically displayed on the map.

Height - Record in the height of the plant. The user can enter the height directly or by entering a distance and an angle. The calculated tree height will then be displayed.

Measurement accuracy can be indicated as approximate or not.

Built-In Tree Height Calculator
Built-In Tree Height Calculator

Check Note - Record a free-form check note describing the condition of the plant, maintenance to be performed, etc. You can insert commonly used words from a user-configurable "phrase picker".

Performance Note – Record an additional note on the performance of this plant. You can also use the Phrase Picker for this field.

Select Phrases to Enter into Check Notes
Select Phrases to Enter into Check Notes

Special Characteristics – Record special attribute of this plant along with corresponding notes.

(To access this feature, GreVid is required.)

Select Special Characteristics and Enter Notes
Select Special Characteristics and Enter Notes

Labels Existing - Record labels currently on the plant. Select from a list of BG-BASE label types.

Labels Needed - Record labels needed for the plant, including quantities and notes for each type. Select from a list of BG-BASE label types.

Enter data about missing labels
Enter data about missing labels

Using Garden Notepad to Enter Tree Measurements at the Scott Arboretum

Using Garden Notepad to Enter Tree Measurements
Photos Courtesy of The Scott Arboretum