You might have caught wind of the growing chatter surrounding new apps harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. Notably, Chat GPT is making waves. It crafts writings based on a given prompt, including both the subject and desired style. Interesting, isn’t it?

Now, could we envision AI penning garden-related pieces? Intrigued, I put it to the test. A request for a tropical plant description in Cockney slang led to the fun tidbit that in Cockney, caring for tropical plants might be termed as “nurturing greenhouse tykes.” A nudge for garden watering advice in street slang prompted, “Splash the greens, mate.” And when asked about tree planting in hip-hop flair, it produced basic planting steps sprinkled with, “Shower the tree with love, just like a rap tune” and “Celebrate the tree with beats, share its tale.” Somewhat underwhelming.

My attempts to garner insights on hydrangea pruning and townhouse garden designs resulted in rather generic outputs. Yet, a Shakespearean approach to houseplant watering did amuse with poetic lines like, “Nourish them fondly, as they grace thy dwelling with splendor.”

I even tried Melville’s style on the same topic:

With careful intent, hold your watering tool. Administer a generous dose, like nature’s own jewel. Ensure water reaches deep, embracing roots without rush. Allow surplus to drain, or it may turn to mush. Monitor frequency; over-hydration can be cruel. Should leaves sag, drench them as a rule. Bless them with sunlight and fresh breeze, their daily due. With devotion and time, your plants will reward you anew.

A host of critics, including the discerning minds at Slate Culture Gabfest, have been putting Chat GPT through its paces. Their consensus? It’s quite adept at crafting university-level essays. One even remarked that its analysis of a Wordsworth poem could fetch a commendable grade in academia. Yet, its prowess isn’t perfect; it has produced some glaring inaccuracies in film history.

For those dreading the task of penning press releases, this app could be a lifesaver. So, could AI-authored garden articles be on the horizon? Very likely, especially given the surge of generic content online.

Moving on to DALL-E, an app claiming to craft realistic images based on textual prompts. From “koi in a pond” to “lantana in a pot,” its outputs were diverse and intriguing. It even managed to craft pictures of cats that eerily resembled my own, making me ponder the potential of such tools.

Toying with various artistic styles, DALL-E crafted “succulent plants in the vein of Monet” and “rain garden sketches.” And, pushing its capabilities, I asked for a non-existent scene – cacti in a meadow. The results were captivating, prompting a note of caution: be wary of too-good-to-be-true images online!