How to Create a Smart Garden to Take Back Your Weekend

So, you want to create a smart garden that can help you regain some time at the weekend? This is understandable, as looking after a front or backyard actually takes a lot more effort than most people initially realize. Aside from paying the kids some pocket money to do your chores, there is something a bit more satisfying. You can use smart technology and intelligent methods to minimize garden maintenance, so here are some little tips to help get you started.

Buy Some Little Robot Helpers

AI and automated robots are no longer science fiction. And while we are yet to see something like a fully autonomous humanoid doing all of our chores (which isn’t far off), we can buy little robotic helpers. For example, you can purchase a robot mower that can chop and store grass so you don’t have to. The great thing about these is they work almost exactly the same as a robot vacuum cleaner, so if you already have something like a Roomba, it’s no big deal.

Create a Smart Garden with Auto Irrigation

Irrigation is a powerful method of ensuring your plants get what they need. But more importantly, it means you no longer have to get up and water them. After initial setup, irrigation requires minimal maintenance so you can kick back on a Saturday morning. Here’s how to start:

• Get someone familiar with irrigation to install the smart control and lines.
• Sync up the app for your smart valve through your home’s Wi-Fi.
• Using the associated app, set up the timers for the irrigation to wake up.

Add Some Soil Sensors

Soil is not just dirt, and it isn’t all the same! On top of that, you really need to understand soil to grow plants, crops, and flowers in the right way that they need; and they are all different. So what can you do if you don’t want to spend half your Sunday testing the soil? Well, smart soil sensors could be the answer. You can place these to monitor vital soil metrics such as moisture levels, pH, and nutrient density, and you will get alerts on your phone if there is a problem.

Install Smart Lighting Timers

Lighting at home and in the yard is essential for many reasons. The first thing that comes to mind is safety. With a well-illuminated pathway, you reduce the chances of tripping over something like a stray roller skate! However, you can also deter burglars with security lights. And of course, lighting adds ambiance when sitting outside. But do you really want to be getting up to check the lights? One of the easiest smart gadgets you can install is smart lighting.

Use Raised Beds to Create a Smart Garden

There are many ways to begin to create a smart garden, but have you thought about raised beds? No longer is growing kitchen crops on your balcony or windowsill necessary! With raised beds, you can take the hassle out of tending to crops, drainage, and even straining your back.

Set up the structure

Choose a frame such as timber, metal or resin, and aim for a depth suitable for the plants you want to grow. Then make sure to fill the bottom with organic offcuts to reduce soil needs.

Integrate smart watering

Now you can add a self-watering wicking bed by creating a lower water reservoir separate from the soil using perforated pipes and landscape fabric if you don’t have an irrigation system.

Optimize soil and layout

For soil, use a blend of organic raised bed mix and high-nutrient compost. For layout though, make sure to map out a square food grid using string to space out based on crop needs.

Begin to Layer Thick Mulch

Even as a beginner gardener, you will have likely heard of mulch. But what is it? Mulch is typically made of wood chips and straw and acts on the soil to prevent moisture loss and weed growth. However, when you don’t want to be spreading mulch every week, there is actually no harm in spreading it thick. In fact, this can work out better for your garden, as a thicker layer of mulch can prevent up to 70% water loss, and you only have to do it every now and then.

Choose Climate-Matched Plants

Plants placed where they aren’t native require a lot more work. Do you really want to be spending hours every weekend tending to plants that might die anyway? To get around this problem, install climate-matched plants and perennials in your garden. Perennials are plants native to the area, so they will get the sun and moisture they need. As such, you no longer have to tend to your garden like a newborn baby, and you can sit back and just watch it grow.

Create a Smart Garden with Water Grouping

Grouping plants is one of the smartest methods of helping your garden become more efficient. While there isn’t a direct universal water-saving statistic, this method will cut evaporation by around 35% by lowering soil temperatures. Here are some things you need to know:

• Group plants by hydrozones so you can water multiple plants at the same time.
• It helps to water deeply rather than frequently by soaking the roots through.
• Water in the early morning or cool of the evening to minimize water loss.

Buy Some Battery-Powered Tools

Okay, so you will probably have to do some work in the garden every now and then, but it can actually be enjoyable. There have been some advances in technology since your dad last made you lug the garden tools into the backyard! Today, you can buy battery-powered tools that are much more efficient, cleaner, and lighter in weight than the fuel tools of the 20th century. If you aren’t sure, check out this post about battery vs. petrol tools to see if they are right for you.

Summary

Investing in robotic gardening tools can help you create a smart garden that looks after itself on the weekends. You can also install raised beds to water plants more efficiently and save your lower back. And speaking of your back, battery-powered gardening tools are much lighter.