Everything on GardenSource is personally tested by me — Umer Hayiat — in my real garden in Islamabad. Here’s exactly how we research, test, and recommend so you can trust every word.
Why Transparency Matters to Us
I’m Umer Hayiat, a real gardener from Islamabad, Pakistan. I built GardenSource because I was tired of generic advice and sponsored “best of” lists that don’t actually work. Every single guide, calculator, and recommendation here comes from my own hands-on experience — not theory or paid promotions.
Who We Are
GardenSource is a small, independent website run by me — Umer Hayiat — with help from a tiny passionate team. With over 10 years of real organic gardening in Pakistan’s climate, I personally grow, test, fail, and succeed with every method and tool I recommend.
Meet the full team & my story →
Our 5-Step Review Process
- Research & Data Collection – We start with university studies, extension services, real gardener forums, and my own multi-year trial garden data.
- Hands-On Testing – I personally test every product, seed variety, and tool in my Islamabad garden for full seasons (heat, humidity, poor soil — the works).
- Side-by-Side Comparison – We compare 5–15 options using the same real-world conditions before any “best of” list is published.
- Reader Feedback Loop – We track comments and emails from 10,000+ subscribers and update articles when new real results come in.
- Calculator Verification – All 92+ free calculators are built on proven horticultural formulas and double-checked against actual garden outcomes.
How We Choose What to Recommend
- Must perform exceptionally well in real home gardens (not just lab conditions)
- Must be organic or fully compatible with organic methods
- Must offer genuine value — we never recommend expensive “miracle” gadgets that don’t deliver
- Must be something I would actually buy and use myself
Affiliate Disclosure & Funding
GardenSource participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you.
This commission helps keep all 92+ calculators completely free forever. Important: Commissions never influence our rankings or recommendations. We only promote what I personally test and love.
We Stay 100% Independent
No sponsored posts disguised as advice. No paid placements. No brand partnerships that affect editorial decisions. Ever.
Updates & Corrections
We regularly update articles when new testing data or better options appear. If you spot an error or have real-world results to share, please contact me directly.
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