Sow Reviews

Cannot even get Sow to launch or load.

I just started the process of maybe getting Sow and it said “in app purchases” but doesn’t say how much. I went through the download process to find out more info and made me make an account just to see what it costs. I got to the screen where you need to agree for a 7 day free trial but it automatically starts charging you unless you cancel. I never use apps that do that. The only option to back out of the purchase/trial at that point seemed to be the “x” button in the upper right. When I clicked it, it then sent me to a screen congratulating me for signing up for my trial! What?! I did not agree with anything. I was changing my mind and going to delete Sow . I hate devious companies like this! Please do better and don’t force curious people into “free trials” when they just want to know how much it costs! I better not get automatic charges one week from now! I may have bought this… but not now. So annoying!

There’s need for a great app to plan and manage your garden but imo this isn’t it.

First, an iPhone screen is too small to design and manage a property on. Potentially having an iPad version would help but it likely also needs a web-based login so you can work on a full screen.

Second, despite a button to upload my own floor plan, I did not find a way to do this successfully. That button just generated another map based on the Google Maps screenshot. The problem with the Google Maps screenshot is it’s dated and before my major renovation. So nothing applies.

Next, even if I went with the “automatically generated” layouts, I didn’t see a way to edit and remove or adjust the plants it suggested. Maybe I gave up too quickly but that just means the UI isn’t intuitive enough.

It’s too game-ified. I’m not looking to win badges or compete against other players. That’s what games are for. I’m looking to design and manage the landscaping of my properties.

Wishing you guys luck in making this an even better app in the future. It’s a great idea. 💡

Lags constantly and can’t even really design anything. It just throws whatever plants you pick into a pile

I do have the paid-for version. Which means I should have everything unlocked, accessible, and at the best speeds possible. With that in mind I struggle with the minutes long lag time, how often it freezes up and crashes, the fact that it shows a completely different address than where I live but will not allow me to change or correct it. Plus, the filters aren't entirely accurate because if I say I have a full sun area, it is offering me plants that would fry under this much sunlight.

I was trying out the plant planner feature but the AI output just returned a girl in a library? I’m so confused. Don’t use Sow or pay for it. What I see has not been great.

Map editor only has sat photos that are at least 8 years old. Our home has been here since 2017 and the sat view only has an empty lot.

A recent update happened for Sow and it closes the moment I try to open it. Hopefully the bug can be fixed, otherwise Sow was unusable :(

I was looking for help to plan a dog-safe garden. I prompted this a few times: make a garden safe for dogs with no plants considered toxic to dogs. Over and over it kept putting delphinium in the plans! Even when I said “no delphinium it kept it in the plans. All parts of these plants are highly toxic to dogs. Please fix whatever AI prompts you’re passing to the LLM to make sure stuff like this works!

I tried Sow out thinking it could be good for my raw land. Two of the designs I submitted for layouts came back with very odd results. One came back as a strawberry cake and the other as a crying girl. A third one came back as plants but completely ignored the plantings that were already there. Not Sow for me!

I downloaded and tried it out but it did not work. Generation error popped up each time I tried, about 5-6 times.

I wasn’t able to set up an account using email and pasting password from Dashlane. Everything got stuck, and I had to start the whole introduction process again. Continue exploring Sow further

Addictive and educational!

As a first-time homeowner, Sow has been a lifesaver. I snapped a picture of a mystery plant in my yard and the Plant ID got it right instantly. I used the drag-and-drop planner to design my flower beds with real-scale layout and it honestly looks like I hired a professional landscaper. The built-in marketplace helped me find plants at better prices than local shops. Such a powerful tool, especially since it is free.

Makes it easy to keep track of what’s planted where and stay on top of plant care and watering

What I like is it’s not just generic suggestions. You can actually move stuff around and think through a space before you spend any money. This feels closest to real landscape planning to me.

I can put together ideas quickly from my phone and it saves them and makes them presentable. It’s super fast and easy for that. Plant Id also helped me log what i had and then map it so I don’t forget where I planted everything. Overall 10/10.

Sow is everything. Not only does it allow a user to drag and drop plants (from an extensive selection including hybrids & nativars)- it also tracks rainfall (including 1 weeks worth), overall weather, has a seed starting tracker, a plant ID tool, and gives you plants tasks! It’s literally 6+ apps in one! And the price point is well worth it. It’s still very new and already is exceeding expectations. The developers are also very responsive to any feedback and are promptly making improvements and changes. This is going to be THE main plant designer tool for the future once others discovers it.
I do designs for clients , as well as maintain a fairly large garden myself . I’m also a mother to 2 boys & a blue heeler- and being able to design easily from my phone is a must, while also keeping tracking of my own garden layout and tasks is incredible. The designs also allow you to download a pdf packet which shows a bloom calendar , and plant care guide for clients ! Absolutely incredible ! 10/10