# Garden Planner: Niwa — Seed to harvest: plan & grow

> Offline, private garden planner for designing, planting, and tracking vegetable gardens. (iPhone/iPad app by Gabriele Pala.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garden-planner-niwa/id6759283849 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Gabriele Pala](https://appshunter.io/developer/1798228799)
- Category: Lifestyle, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 132 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-02-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garden-planner-niwa/id6759283849/reviews.md

## What is Garden Planner?

Whether you're a beginner planting your first vegetables or an experienced gardener managing multiple beds — Niwa gives you everything you need to grow with confidence, fully offline and completely private by design. We're the first iOS native garden planner also focused on iOS26.

PLAN & DESIGN
- Garden Planner: Design your garden layout on an intuitive visual grid. Plan raised beds, track what's planted, and manage multiple gardens, all in one place.
- Square Foot Gardening: Optimize every inch with square foot spacing guides. Perfect for raised beds and small backyard spaces.

GROW SMARTER
- Planting Calendar: Know exactly when to start seeds or transplant based on your location, grow zone and frost dates. Never miss the right planting window again.
- 200+ Plants & Vegetables: Browse a complete library of vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and grains. Get detailed info on harvest times, sun exposure, spacing, seed depth, germination and more.
- Companion & Combative Planting: Discover which plants thrive together and which ones to keep apart. Make smarter decisions to maximize your harvest.
- Localized Grow Zones: Get personalized planting recommendations based on your climate zone and frost dates.

TRACK & ORGANIZE
- Plant Diary: Document each plant's journey with timestamped entries and photos. Track progress over time and never lose a note.
- Seed Inventory: Track your seed packets, expiration dates and quantities. Never waste seeds again.

BUILT DIFFERENTLY
- Works 100% Offline: No internet connection needed — in your garden, in the countryside, anywhere.
- Private by Design: No tracking, no analytics, no ads. Your garden data stays on your device — always.

Niwa is perfect for backyard gardeners, raised bed growers, beginner and expert vegetable gardeners and anyone who wants a clean, modern gardening app.

_
Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/gabriele-pala/Niwa-Privacy-Policy-30d2e94fd1918040bc39d9eacbba2bb9
Terms of Service: https://gabriele-pala.notion.site/Terms-Conditions-2032e94fd1918067a487f7f6db35f2dc

## Key features

- Intuitive garden layout design
- Square foot gardening guides
- Localized planting calendar
- 200+ plant and vegetable library
- Companion and combative planting advice
- Plant diary and seed inventory
- 100% offline functionality

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $12.99 | per year |
| All Access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| All Access | $3.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $24.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garden-planner-niwa/id6759283849/reviews.md

### 2/5 — So many good thing but…

*2026-05-31*

There are so many good things about this app the organization that you could build your own side of garden companion plant versus do not plant next to it however, the one glaring thing is it lags and freezes. 
It’s so frustrating at every task. It takes so long to add a plant next to another plant or to choose a plant. Then it just freezes and I have to close it. 
This is why I like when you can try an app out it before I spend money on it. 
if it wasn’t for the extremely aggravating lagging and freezing I’d buy. 
Because the features are great and there are no all in one gardening apps that work or reasonably priced. 
This is reasonably priced if the above.

**Developer response:** UPDATES: The grid is now optimized, as of update 1.3.6. Please update the app. It would be helpful to hear your feedback and revise the rating accordingly. I'm available via email for any questions: niwa.plant@gmail.com 

Hello, thank you so much for your valuable feedback. I'm aware of this, and starting with the next update, I'd like to eliminate any more bugs in the grid, I'm working on it every day. The app is freemium, so you can test the core functionality without paying. Paying only unlocks specific features, which doesn't prevent you from using it for free. In the next release I plan to fix the grid performance issues, monitor future updates, stay tuned!

### 5/5 — Great so far!

*2026-04-10*

This app is amazing so far! I found it through Reddit and thought I would check it out. I will come back and do a more detailed review after I’ve used it awhile.

**Developer response:** This is fantastic, thank you so much! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us to create the best version of Niwa. For anything you can write to me: niwa.plant@gmail.com. Enjoy with your garden!

### 5/5 — A gardening app the way it should be

*2026-03-08*

I’m extremely pleased with this gardening planning app. This app is well thought out, well designed, and spam free. 

I’m enjoying planning my vegetable garden using this new app. It is perfect for using the square foot gardening method because it draws the grids. I especially love how it recognizes companion plants and USDA zones.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much! Companion planting and USDA zones were two things I really wanted to get right, really glad they're working well for you. More improvements coming soon, stay tuned!

### 5/5 — Great app with more coming

*2026-03-03*

I found this app through Reddit and even though it’s in its early stages, it has a ton to offer. I’m a professional gardener and this is very similar to how layout gardens using square footage. The developer is very open to suggestions and I’ve passed on a few and they have been very receptive.

**Developer response:** This means a lot, especially coming from a professional gardener. Your feedback has already shaped several improvements. Thanks a lot! :)

### 5/5 — Very Solid Home Garden Planner

*2026-02-26*

This is a very solid home garden planner that provides a lot of features which seem to be missing from other similar apps.  The plant information section and planting calendar alone are worth the download.

**Developer response:** Thank you! The plant info section and calendar are two areas I've invested a lot of time in, great to hear they're useful. Lots more coming in the next updates! Stay tuned, you're feedback it will be appreciated and precious :)

## Frequently asked questions about Garden Planner

### What is Garden Planner: Niwa?

Garden Planner: Niwa is a mobile application designed to help users plan and manage their vegetable gardens. It offers features for garden layout design, planting schedules, and tracking plant progress, all while prioritizing user privacy and offline access.

### Does Garden Planner: Niwa have ads?

No, Garden Planner: Niwa is designed with privacy in mind and does not contain any advertisements. Your garden data remains on your device, ensuring a clean and uninterrupted user experience.

### What platforms is Garden Planner: Niwa available on?

Currently, Garden Planner: Niwa is available on iPhone. The app is designed to work 100% offline, meaning you can use it anywhere without an internet connection.

### How does Garden Planner: Niwa help with planting?

The app features a localized planting calendar that provides personalized recommendations based on your grow zone and frost dates. It also includes a library of over 200 plants with detailed growing information and advice on companion planting.

### Can I track my garden's progress with Niwa?

Yes, Niwa includes a plant diary where you can document each plant's journey with timestamped entries and photos. You can also manage your seed inventory, tracking expiration dates and quantities to avoid waste.

### What is the age rating for Garden Planner: Niwa?

Garden Planner: Niwa has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for users of all ages, making it a great tool for families interested in gardening.

### How often is Garden Planner: Niwa updated?

The latest version of Garden Planner: Niwa is 1.1.6, which was last updated on March 25, 2026. This suggests the app is actively maintained by its developer.

### What makes Garden Planner: Niwa different from other gardening apps?

Niwa stands out by working 100% offline and being private by design, with no tracking, analytics, or ads. Your garden data stays exclusively on your device, offering a secure and independent gardening experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.2 — 2026-08-18

NEW: Crop rotation, square by square
Every square now remembers which plant family grew there and when. Niwa warns you before the same family comes back too soon, tells you the year the ground is free again, and points out the sequences that actually help, like brassicas after legumes. It knows radishes are brassicas and that alliums need the longest break of all.

IMPROVED: The garden grid
Your beds now look like beds: soil, a raised frame, and plants that sit as tiles on it. A plant covering several squares reads as one shape instead of four separate cells. Flower bed outlines, companion markers and the header stats have all been redrawn to be readable at a glance.

NEW: 8 practical guides now live on Niwa
Building your first raised bed, companion planting, growing perfect tomatoes, and diagnosing plants that won't thrive and much more.

As always, Niwa works entirely offline. 200+ plants, your layouts and your calendar, always there with no signal in the garden. 

Bug fixes. If you've noticed issues, bugs or have ideas, drop me a line at niwa.plant@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.
I'm constantly updating and improving the app. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

### 1.4.1 — 2026-08-09

NEW: 8 practical guides now live on Niwa.
Building your first raised bed, companion planting, growing perfect tomatoes, and diagnosing plants that won't thrive and much more.

Bug fixes. If you've noticed issues, bugs or have ideas, drop me a line at niwa.plant@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm constantly updating and improving the app. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

### 1.4.0 — 2026-08-03

NEW: 8 practical guides now live on Niwa.
Building your first raised bed, companion planting, growing perfect tomatoes, and diagnosing plants that won't thrive and much more.

Bug fixes. If you've noticed issues, bugs or have ideas, drop me a line at niwa.plant@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm constantly updating and improving the app. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

### 1.3.9 — 2026-07-29

NEW: 8 practical guides now live on Niwa.
Building your first raised bed, companion planting, growing perfect tomatoes, and diagnosing plants that won't thrive and much more.

Bug fixes. If you've noticed issues, bugs or have ideas, drop me a line at niwa.plant@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm constantly updating and improving the app. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

### 1.3.8 — 2026-07-02

Bug fixes. If you've noticed issues, bugs or have ideas, drop me a line at niwa.plant@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm constantly updating and improving the app. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

## More apps by Gabriele Pala

- [Plant Tracker: Pothos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plant-tracker-pothos/id6742409471)
- [Everflow: Streaks Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/everflow-streaks-tracker/id6743670106)
- [Bird Identifier: Birdo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bird-identifier-birdo/id6746267132)
- [Jewelry Identifier ◈](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jewelry-identifier/id6746804559)
- [Tree Identifier: Treely](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tree-identifier-treely/id6747072490)
- [Blood Sugar Monitor - Sug AI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blood-sugar-monitor-sug-ai/id6747438756)

All apps by Gabriele Pala: https://appshunter.io/developer/1798228799

## Related topics

[niwa](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/niwa) · [herb garden](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/herb-garden) · [herbs garden](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/herbs-garden)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*