AI-assisted practical guide. Examples are hypothetical; proposed workflows are editorial suggestions.
Donated plants arrive with varying amounts of information. A simple intake record helps a shared garden distinguish a known, suitable donation from material that needs identification or review before planting.
Record provenance and uncertainty
Keep the donor's description, label photographs, date received, visible condition, and any supplied care information. Separate a confirmed identity from a tentative name. Ask about relevant history without assuming that an unanswered question confirms either safety or risk.
Use local guidance to assess suitability and any concerns about moving or planting the material. Do not identify an unknown plant solely because it resembles a familiar photograph.
Follow a hypothetical donation
Suppose a volunteer brings several pots labeled only “wildflowers.” Assign an intake ID and keep them out of the planting plan until the necessary questions are resolved. The record should say who is checking the identity and when a decision is expected.
If the donation is declined or redirected, record the decision and reason. Avoid shaming the donor; the purpose is a consistent process for the garden.
Close the record
For accepted plants, connect the intake ID to the planting location and date. Keep private donor details out of public inventories. A traceable record helps later caretakers understand what was planted and what information supported that choice. It does not require pretending that every generous offer is immediately suitable.