I think whatever software you get, it's not going to fit your needs. Everybody's needs are different. I think you need to think about what type of information you want to keep tracking of and why. A whole lot of folks use spreadsheets but IMHO spreadsheets are very limited and should only be used to report on a collection of data. Plus spreadsheets are not scaleable. People use them because they think they're easy to use. And they are for very tiny pieces of data and only a few thing. But don't use them for data entry or you will get frustrated and give up. Spreadsheets are great when you want to see a comparison of things using a lot of data. If you can, don't use spreadsheets as data entry.

If you're pretty good with getting around on a computer, then the cheapest and best tool to use is MS Access. If you do use Access, don't throw everything into one table.

What do I use? I have a data warehouse with MS Access using a star schema design. I collect fig name, type, color, weight, sweet scale, fertilizer type, growth rate, cold hardy scale, UCD number, Jon's number, my number, who I bought the tree from, and a few other things.

No offense to Dennis, I have no idea what he was saying about "Access". I use Excel spreadsheets and it can easily track all of that info, but I don't track all of that info myself. (Maybe I should). However, I have not found an app to use excel with an iPhone. The best I've come up with is using the built in "notes" feature. The major problem with it is that it will not auto data sort. You are prob better off using a laptop or pc. You can email yourself the excel file, but for me it has been in "read only" format. I cannot add anything to it. Hope that helps.

MS Access is much easier to use and change on the fly.  Cold Fusion and other products will let you use Access as the back end of a web site and you could access that in the field if you can get a signal.

ADelmanto:  Access is the name of a database product with a somewhat limited development environment included when you buy it.  Years ago it was included as one of the products in Microsoft's Office Suite. Since then it has become a separate application. Access allows you to create tables of data which can be linked in various ways. You can create little programs to enter your data and  retrieve everything from simple to very complex analytic reports from the data you have entered.  Basically it lets you create custom software applications and reports or queries without having to learn a low level coding language. The application basically translates your instructions into verbiage the computer will understand.

It has a lot of power and flexibility but if you are going to create your personal applications, you need to be able to think like a programmer and to be fairly computer literate. Its not for everyone but its a great tool and an experienced user could create a list of all their pink figs which have been in ground for over 5 years and survived winter lows of 10 degrees but still produced in excess of 50 lbs of fruit that year in alphabetic order and sorted by country of origin with just a few minutes effort.

I have been using Google Drive spreadsheets mostly because there is a decent iPhone app so I can make edits while I'm in the orchard. It works, but is still pretty clunky to edit a spreadsheet on an iPhone.
I have been kicking around the idea of writing a better app for keeping orchard/garden records, but have yet to find the motivation. I'll be watching this tread for ideas.

MS Access... oh crap, I'm breaking out in hives!

I probably should have mentioned that I am a software engineer and a pretty competent database designer. Hence, my name "cyberfarmer". For what I am envisioning, I would want a database with an entry for every tree and plant in my inventory. Then, for every specimen, I would want the ability to include journal entries such as the current height, approximate number of lateral branches, caliper, foliage, any diseases or pasts, last date sprayed, etc. It would also be nice to be able to attach photos to each plant record. I don't just want a list of my trees; I want farm management software.

Designing a  relational database and creating a web-enabled front end is what I do. I just assumed that there must be a wide variety of programs already out there. Access is not available on the iPhone, but Excel is and I have it. I suppose if there is nothing more specialized out there, I could use Excel to collect data in the field and then import the data into Access, SQL Server or another relational database on my desktop.

I'm surprised that I have to create my own software to do this. I thought that with all of you fig obsessed people out there, something would already exist. 

Just came across this list of tree management software: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/inforesources/inventory/tree_inventory_mgmt_software_list.pdf

These are the free ones:

Paul, try to come up with similar to what Mac has called NoteBook, or use the NoteBook, it's an excellent program, you can have pics dragged into the page and use even hand drawing features in the note page and include video clips, it also has page stickers on the side so you can chose what topic you want to read immediately. That's what we use during  lectures in Med field.

Hi Cyberfarmer,
Just my two cents of the day : take photos . There are things you'll forget to describe and to write down, and a photo will keep it recorded - even the date/time is recorded at the file level.
For instance, evaluating die-back on a tree is easy with a photo ... Go write all the information for that ... Some details, you don't see them in the beginning.
For naming the trees - take a photo with the label and some global things that won't move ( a stone, a background hill)- even if the label gets lost, you'll get the new one at the right place.
For fertilizer, put the bucket near the tree - you'll keep the date this way.
For pruning, the same - even better, take a photo before, and just after - even in progress if you want.

You could then keep a spreadsheet with all background information ( where it came from, supposed strain :) , slow grower yes/no (you could see it in the photos as well)..., and your reference for that tree )
Now you would need a software to manage the information from the photos ... :) - which you could do in a spreadsheet ( in openoffice for instance).
I do it like that for 30 trees, and it really helps.
For instance, for flowering trees (Cherries,peaches ... ), so that I know at the end of the season if it had lots of flowers or not, lots of small fruits starting to grow, and when (if that happens ) it dropped fruits (applicable for figtrees as well :°°( ).

Some cameras even have a GPS recording feature ...

i'm still using masking tape and a sharpie. maybe i'll keep a notebook to write things down now and then. i don't want to look at the computer more than i have to. 

I agree with Pete, last year I tried taking pictures and keeping a notebook and that was too much, this yearn I am hoping to take more pictures and jot a few more notes in a notebook

Cyberfarmer- I am in clinical informatics and also a somewhat competant database analyst. I would totally buy or help develop/test a bit of software that fit our needs. 

Right now I am using a google doc. 

Ifu got an iphone or ipad
There should be good ios software in the app store

As of matter of fact, I have started such a project, but have not gotten very far along yet.  I've designed the database and working on stored procedures for editing the data.  I haven't started on the front end yet.  I'm intending to design it as a mobile web app.

I don't have the database layout with me right now, but it will be "tree centric" and allow you to enter information for a tree including the source you got the cuttings.  You can save dates like time you started rooting and the "up-pot" dates and the media used at each stage (listed ingredients with percentages).  You can make your tree entries public or private.  Other users can "like" you tree and there can be a discussion thread for each tree.

More features included that I can't pull off the top of my head.  I haven't worked on it for a couple of weeks.  Just been a little too busy lately with a new job.  But soon I hope to have a beta version ready.

I just use plain old Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.  That is a powerful program and can do so many things, I don't think I could ever be without it.  There is no limit to the amount of columns and data you can enter.  I even put photos of figs in the cells. 

Have fun!  Sounds like you have a lot of things to track!

I use one for our fruit trees (excluding figs).  A spreadsheet for Figs, and another for Wine Grapes.  I don't worry too much about the other plants like roses and pines.  It does get crazy because they all have different requirements as to irrigation, fertilizer, pest control, and pruning.

Suzi

James, are you building the tree database because you plan to make money off of it, or just for fun. If it's just a fun project, I would be happy to contribute so that we could get it done faster and then we could all start using it. For my job, I do database design, desktop applications, web services, and some mobile web development, but my forté is web development (ASP.Net + C#). Let me know if you would like to collaborate.

Cyberfarmer,
Wow things have come a long way since MS access and excel where have I been the last 2 years.  Some great suggestions on this thread!

IMO - Unless you really need something professional and can justify the cost then I suggest just use the tools you already have.
Once you have worked through it a few times and have all your requirements nailed down document them and then take a look at whats out there that best matches your needs. 

Maybe set up a simple website that lets you upload photos and data from your iPhone will do for now.

Paul, this is all you need.

Notebook For Mac | Circus Ponies NoteBook - Stay Organized

I use an app on my phone called Theodolite. It is a valuable tool for surveying and mapping land if you don't have all the fancy equipment. One of the features is that it will add a data stamp to each photo that includes the GPS coordinates, azimuth, bearing, camera tilt & angle, etc. Since the data shows on the screen of the phone, I can guarantee that subsequent photos will be taken from same position to avoid unintentional optical illusions based on camera position. I don't have any pics of my trees handy, but here is an example "before" photo I took prior to remodeling my garage. 

 

very interesting project, hope to see it realized soon Paul ;)

I just played with Excel on my iPhone. That's not going to happen! It works, but very difficult to use on that tiny screen. I think way to go is get a cheap tablet to use in the field. I can temporarily store data in a spreadsheet and import it into a database later. Can also use the tablet for taking pictures which can be dumped into a database later.