The Waterwise Garden CDRom Review Page

Gardening Software Reviews

"Sensible plant selection can reduce the time you spend on garden chores such as watering. To help you make the best plant choices, South Australian gardener Lyn Phillips has put together a gardening CDRom called 'Colourful WaterWise Gardening'. On the disk is a library of more than 450 photos and a wealth of information to help you select and care for plants that grow in dry conditions - and look good too. It's easy to use and suits both PC and Mac computers (fitted with a CDRom Drive and web browser software)."
Burke's Backyard Magazine August 2000 - Australia's best selling gardening magazine.

"This is a fully interactive CDRom and Lyn Phillips has done a great job with stunning colour photographs featuring perennials, shrubs, bulbs and climbers. The plants covered are mostly exotics from the drier regions of the world, along with a few Australian natives. Monthly calendars group plants according to their flower colour, with details of their mature height. A click on any specific plant will give you further details on that plant’s cultivation, propagation and description, plus two photographs. An easy reference chart lists plants by flower colour and highlights those that are shade tolerant. You can find out more about things like biological pest control, organic gardening practices and common plant disorders. Some people may well find the traditional book format a lot easier to deal with, but this electronic format will become increasingly common."
Grass Roots Magazine Oct/Nov 2000 - Australia’s most popular self-sufficiency magazine.
V6.0 of the CDRom, which was released in 2007, contains an additional 350 plus Australian Native plants.

"A waterwise garden does not have to be monotone or dull! This comprehensive CDRom is a year-round guide to planting colourful gardens, and all the plants featured are low water users. Included are perennials, shrubs, bulbs and climbers, mostly exotics from the drier areas of the world along with some Australian natives. The CDRom is fully interactive, and features an A-Z of plants, with one plant per page, and both close-up and wide-angle photos. Organic gardening practices are highlighted, with information about composting, mulching, and efficient watering. The biological pest control section identifies valuable insect predators and their prey, and there is a 'safe' organic pesticide and fungicide guide with homemade recipes. The photos in the guide are wonderful, very inspiring, and the CDRom blows away that preconception waterwise gardens aren't lush and colourful."
Greenhouse Living Magazine, Autumn (Fall) 2001 - Australia's coolest enviro magazine.

"The advantage of CDRom over a book is the speed with which the computer can cross-reference the entries, instantly linking a plant with a disease or pest problem, solutions, the best growing conditions and more. It would have been good to see more native plants listed, but it’s still a worthwhile purchase if you’re looking for seasonal colour in your garden while remaining water conscious."
Your Garden Magazine December 2000 - Australia's Gardening Magazine.
V6.0 of the CDRom, which was released in 2007, contains an additional 350 plus Australian Native plants.

Gardening Software Testimonials

"The CDRom Colourful WaterWise Gardening has proved a real asset in planning a new garden for our new home. It really does live up to its name.
Its ease of use, comprehensiveness, excellent illustrations and clear organisation make it a winner."
(Dr) Allan Lindsay, New South Wales, Australia

"Let me say that I am impressed with your product. Congratulations. ......... I can report that your CDRom is being used as a teaching aid here in Rural New South Wales. All of your hard work is being appreciated."
Ray Glencross-Grant, New South Wales, Australia

Testimonial for the Waterwise House & Garden - a Guide for Sustainable Living book by Allan Windust