What Grows Well
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What is What Grows Well?
What Grows Well is a free, location-based garden planning tool that tells you exactly what plants will grow in your area and when to plant them. The tool uses your ZIP code to determine your USDA zone and local frost dates, then provides personalized plant recommendations from a database of 136 plants suitable for US gardeners.
Key features include a plant directory filtered by your growing zone, individual plant pages with overview information, images, quick facts, and a growing calendar showing planting timing. The garden planner tracks your selected plants, displays climate information like last frost date, and generates a task list with actionable steps for getting your garden started, such as acquiring seeds.
The tool is designed for beginners and hobby gardeners who want to grow their own food but don't know where to start. It dynamically adjusts all timing based on your specific location, making planting windows clear and helping you never miss when to plant. The website also offers a free weekly newsletter delivered every Friday morning with what to plant, tips, and plant inspiration for your zone.
What Grows Well pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Completely free for all users. No paid tiers or subscription plans. The plant directory, garden planner, growing calendars, and weekly newsletter are all free with no payment information required and no obligation to subscribe.
What Grows Well pros
- Free to use with no payment required
- Personalized plant recommendations based on ZIP code
- Determines your USDA zone automatically
- Shows your local frost dates
- 136 plants in the database for US gardeners
- Plant directory filtered by your growing zone
- Growing calendar shows when to plant each crop
- Garden planner tracks your selected plants
- Generates actionable task lists for your garden
- All timing dynamically adjusted to your location
- Individual plant pages with images and quick facts
- Prevents you from missing planting windows
- Free weekly newsletter every Friday morning
- Newsletter has no fluff and easy unsubscribe
- Ideal for beginners growing their first food garden
What Grows Well cons
- Only covers US gardeners, not international
- Limited to 136 plants in database
- No mobile app available
- Does not include companion planting guide
- No automated reminder emails for tasks
- Limited plant information for certain regions
- No advanced garden layout design tools
- Community activity may be limited
Frequently asked questions about What Grows Well
How do I get started with What Grows Well?
Enter your ZIP code on the homepage and click 'See what you can grow.' The tool will determine your USDA zone and frost dates, then show you a plant directory filtered to only plants that grow well in your area.
What is the garden planner and how does it work?
The garden planner tracks plants you add to your garden. When you click 'Add to Garden' on a plant, it populates your planner with climate information like your last frost date and generates a task list with actionable steps such as acquiring seeds for each plant.
Is What Grows Well really free?
Yes, the entire tool is free. The plant directory, garden planner, growing calendars, and weekly newsletter are all free with no payment required and no subscription needed.
How does the tool determine what grows in my area?
The tool uses your ZIP code to calculate your USDA plant hardiness zone and your local frost dates. It then filters the database of 136 plants to show only those that will produce well in your specific zone.
What information is on each plant page?
Each plant page includes an overview of the plant, images, quick facts about the plant's characteristics, and a growing calendar that shows when you should plant it based on your location's timing.
How often is the newsletter sent and what does it include?
The newsletter is sent every Friday morning. It includes what's safe to plant in your zone, what's coming up for planting, plus a tip and a plant to inspire you. It has no fluff and you can unsubscribe in one tap.
Can I use What Grows Well if I live outside the US?
No, What Grows Well is a free planting guide specifically for US gardeners. The tool uses USDA zones which are only applicable within the United States.
What happens when I add a plant to my garden?
When you add a plant to your garden by clicking 'Add to Garden,' it starts populating your garden planner. The planner then shows tasks for that plant, such as acquiring seeds, and you can mark tasks complete to track your progress.
How many plants are in the database?
The database contains 136 plants that can grow in various US areas. The tool filters this to show only the plants suitable for your specific USDA zone.
Why is the timing different for everyone using the tool?
The tool is dynamic - everything is based on your location. Your ZIP code determines your USDA zone and frost dates, so all planting timing is relative to where you live and laid out easily in your personalized calendar.