Achieve a Green Thumb Using These Gardening Technologies

grow garden watch with camera

Watering plants, mowing grass and trimming shrubs isn’t the ideal weekend for most. That especially goes for folks who have brown thumbs. One study found one-third of people would rather visit their in-laws than work on their lawn.

But with new technology, it’s easier than ever to achieve a green thumb without becoming a gardening expert. You can mow your grass without ever stepping outside with an automated robot. Or you can grow a self-sustaining herb garden indoors without having to lift a finger.

If you’re interested in getting in touch with your inner-gardener but don’t feel like getting on your hands and knees to weed, check out these six smart gardening technologies below.

How to Use Gardening Technology

If you’re new to gardening and lawn care, you may not always know what to do when it comes to pruning or soil nutrients. What’s great about new technology is it takes the guesswork out of the equation, turning even the greenest gardening novice into an expert.

Turn yourself into a seasoned pro with gardening technologies like the ones below.

Automate Watering

Even a beginner knows plants need water. But determining the right amount of water can be tricky, varying based on the plant species, climate, and recent weather. A smart sprinkler system, like Rachio 3 and GreenIQ, use smart controls to customize irrigation levels in your garden. Devices like these can also be paired with a smartphone app, allowing you to monitor and control your garden’s water intake, prevent over-watering and reduce waste from anywhere in the world.

Download an App

There are several apps dedicated to the gardening niche, able to answer your growing questions at a moment’s notice. With apps like SmartPlant, you can snap a picture of a plant in your garden and receive identification information from a professional horticulturist. Create a digital garden that mimics your real one to get monthly advice on caring for each plant. You can also send in photos of hole-riddled leaves and garden pests to learn the best solutions for moving forward.

Buy a Robot

The future is here. There are plenty of affordable, consumer-grade robots you can buy to help with lawn care and gardening. One common option is the lawn mower robot, such as the Husqvarna Automower, an autonomous bot which cuts your grass. When the battery begins to run low, the robot will return to its dock and recharge on its own. These mowers are designed to be quiet and discreet so you and your neighbors can enjoy a lazy Sunday in peace.

Use a Sensor

If we could talk to plants — and they would answer — it would be much easier to care for them. While we can’t quite do that, new technology like plant sensors makes it easier than ever to determine what your plants need to thrive. These sensors, like the Edyn Garden Sensor, monitor your plants and give you real-time advice direct to your smartphone on temperature, moisture, fertilizer and light levels.

Plant a Camera

If you’re a plant lover but don’t feel like getting outside, invest in a camera like the Arlo Pro 2 or Nest Cam, which can be situated right in your garden. When used with a smartphone, these cameras allow you to monitor your garden at all times, including when you’re away. Automatically snap photos of your flower bed every minute, hour or day. And keep an eye out for any critters who may be sneaking into your garden for a late-night snack.

Grow Indoors

Maybe you don’t have a yard or outdoor space for growing, but still want to nurture a few plants. With a smart indoor garden system, like the Click and Grow and AeroGarden, all you need to get started is soil and seeds, such as indoor favorites like dill, thyme or mint. What’s ideal about these systems is they are self-sustaining, able to adjust water levels and increase light to create the ideal environment for your plants.

Achieving Your Green Thumb

You don’t have to be an expert to grow beautiful, healthy plants. With new technology like helpful apps and smart watering systems, you no longer have to guess the best ways to maintain your lawn, garden or indoor plants. Achieving a green thumb can be as simple as following the advice provided.

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About the Author

Kayla Matthews
Kayla Matthews is a gadgets and technology blogger who contributes to Gear Diary, MakeUseOf and Inc.com.