Methods
Methods are step-by-step instructions for garden activities. Libre Grow ships with 15 ready-to-use garden methods covering soil tests, composting, seed starting, transplanting, pruning, and more. Every method is community-maintained and licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0, so you are free to use, adapt, and share them.
Browsing the Method Library
Open Methods from the main menu to see the full library. Each card shows the method title, a short description, the author, and its star count. Use the search bar or filter by category (soil, propagation, pest management, harvest, etc.) to find what you need.
What a Method Contains
Every method is structured into four sections:
| Section | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Notes | Warnings and protective equipment | "Wear gloves when handling lime" |
| Preparation Checklist | Materials and conditions to confirm before you start | Soil thermometer, pH strips, watering can |
| Numbered Steps | The procedure itself, in order | 1. Collect soil from three spots. 2. Mix thoroughly... |
| Observation Templates | Fields to record during or after the activity | pH reading, colour, texture, moisture level |
Following a Method in an Activity
When you create a new activity, you can attach a method. Libre Grow then displays each step as a checklist you tick off as you work. Observation templates automatically appear as fields on the activity, so your results are captured in a structured format right alongside the steps you followed.
Community Features
Methods are collaborative. You can:
- Star a method you find useful. Stars help other growers discover popular techniques.
- Fork a method to create your own version. For example, fork "Jar Soil Texture Test" and add a step for measuring organic matter content.
- Suggest edits to improve an existing method. The original author reviews and merges your suggestion, much like a collaborative document.
Creating Your Own Methods
Click New Method to start from scratch. Give it a title, write a description, and fill in the four sections. Choose a visibility level (private, hub members, or public) and publish. Your method is automatically licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0, ensuring the community can build on your work while you receive attribution.