Using AI to Help With Your Hobbies

AI doesn't have to be about work or serious stuff. It's actually brilliant for hobbies. Whether you're into gardening, cooking, family history, or knitting, there are ways AI can make things easier, more interesting, or just a bit more fun.

You don't need to be technical. If you can type a question, you can use AI for your hobbies. Here are some practical examples to get you started.

Gardening

ChatGPT is surprisingly knowledgeable about plants. And because you can give it details about your specific situation, the advice is much more useful than a generic gardening book.

Try asking: "I have a north-facing garden in Manchester with clay soil. What vegetables can I plant in April?"

You'll get a tailored list with planting times and care tips. You can follow up with questions like "How deep should I plant broad beans?" or "What grows well next to tomatoes?" and it keeps the conversation going.

Other gardening questions that work well:

• "My hydrangea's leaves are turning yellow. What's wrong?"
• "Design a low-maintenance border for a sunny spot, about 3 metres long"
• "What wildflowers attract bees and butterflies in the UK?"
• "I want to start composting. What can and can't go in the bin?"

One word of caution: ChatGPT doesn't know your exact local conditions, and it sometimes confuses plants from different climate zones. Cross-check anything you're unsure about with the RHS website or your local garden centre.

Cooking and Recipes

This might be the most practical use of AI for everyday life. Got ingredients but no inspiration? ChatGPT is your sous chef.

Try asking: "I have salmon fillets, new potatoes, and asparagus. Give me a recipe that takes under 30 minutes."

But it goes beyond just recipes. You can ask it to:

• Convert recipes from American measurements to metric
• Adjust a recipe for two people instead of four
• Suggest substitutions ("I don't have coriander, what can I use instead?")
• Plan a week's worth of meals using a budget
• Make a recipe simpler or more impressive

My favourite trick: describe what's in your fridge and cupboards, and ask for three different meal ideas. It's like having a very creative friend who never runs out of suggestions.

Family History and Genealogy

Tracing your family tree can be absorbing and sometimes a bit baffling. AI can help in ways you might not expect.

Try asking: "I found a census record from 1891 that lists my great-grandmother as a 'woollen piecer' in Bradford. What does that mean?"

ChatGPT is excellent at explaining old occupations, historical context, and the meaning of terms you find in old records. It can also help you:

• Decipher old handwriting. Describe what you see and ask what the word might be
• Understand historical events that affected your ancestors ("What was life like for factory workers in Leeds in the 1880s?")
• Suggest where to look next ("I've found my family in the 1901 census but can't find them in 1911. Where should I search?")
• Draft letters to distant relatives you've found through your research

It won't access Ancestry or FindMyPast for you, and it can't look up specific records. But as a research companion that explains context and suggests next steps, it's genuinely useful.

Knitting, Crochet, and Sewing

Pattern trouble? Sizing confusion? AI handles textile questions surprisingly well.

Try asking: "I'm knitting a jumper for my granddaughter. She's age 8. How many stitches should I cast on using double knitting yarn and 4mm needles?"

You can also ask it to explain stitches ("What does 'SSK' mean in a knitting pattern?"), convert between UK and US crochet terms (which are annoyingly different), or suggest project ideas based on your skill level.

For sewing, try: "I'm making curtains for a window that's 120cm wide. How much fabric do I need if I want them to gather nicely?"

Travel Planning

Planning a trip is exciting but time-consuming. AI can do the heavy lifting while you make the fun decisions.

Try asking: "Plan a five-day trip to the Scottish Highlands for two people in their 60s. We like history, whisky, and gentle walking. We're driving from Edinburgh."

You'll get a day-by-day itinerary with specific suggestions. You can then refine it: "Actually, can we spend more time on the west coast?" or "We need to avoid long drives, nothing more than 2 hours."

It's also handy for: packing lists tailored to your destination, translating phrases for overseas trips, finding out about local customs or tipping etiquette, and working out time zones if you're calling family abroad.

Reading and Book Recommendations

Finished a good book and want something similar? ChatGPT is better than most recommendation algorithms.

Try asking: "I loved 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman. Can you suggest five similar books? I like mysteries with humour and older characters."

Because you can describe exactly what you liked about a book, the recommendations tend to be more personal than "customers also bought" suggestions on Amazon. You can get quite specific: "I want something set in the countryside, not too dark, and under 300 pages."

Photography

Whether you're using a smartphone or a proper camera, AI can help you take better pictures.

Try asking: "I'm photographing my grandchildren at the park this weekend. Any tips for getting natural-looking photos with an iPhone?"

ChatGPT can explain camera settings, suggest composition techniques, and troubleshoot specific problems ("My photos always come out blurry indoors. What am I doing wrong?"). It's like having a patient photography instructor available whenever you need one.

The Key Thing to Remember

AI is a helper, not a replacement for your own knowledge and experience. If you've been gardening for thirty years, you know more about your garden than ChatGPT ever will. But it can fill in gaps, offer new ideas, and save you time on the boring bits.

The best approach? Use it as a starting point, then apply your own judgement. And have fun with it. Ask silly questions. See what happens. There's no wrong way to explore.

If you're new to ChatGPT, our beginner's guide will get you set up in ten minutes. And for more practical AI ideas, visit our practical uses page.