There seem to be countless devices available to help us in all aspects of our lives. In gardening, many innovations are designed to help out keen gardeners and broaden their horizons so that they can grow more within the constraints of their garden. Read on as we take a look at the top must-have pieces of technology for gardeners in 2018.
Best gardening apps to download
It seems that every hobby has an app to complement it in 2018! So, which apps should you consider downloading?
- Garden Compass: this app lets you upload photos to the website, ask questions to horticultural experts and create your personalized garden care calendar.
- GrowIt!: moved to a new area and need a hand getting used to the new gardening conditions? This app can connect you to other gardeners who are used to the climate and soil type and can give you advice. You can also upload photos of your own plants to share your gardening knowledge with others.
Heated propagators to grow more exotic produce
For many of us, we can only dream about growing our own exotic plants — unfortunately, most British gardeners don’t have the climate for it. But often, our climate doesn’t allow for it. That’s where the heated propagator comes in.
With a heated propagator, your seeds are able to germinate earlier and more successfully (meaning that less go to waste) than usual. When innovations like this first came out, it was heated greenhouses and heated benches that were on the market. But, they can add to your energy costs as the heat can quickly dissipate. Instead, the propagator has walls and a lid which can retain warmth.
A heated propagator offers a growing environment of between 5°C to 30°C. Some of the more exotic seeds and hot chilies require warmer temperatures and it could be impossible to grow them in cooler climates without this piece of technology. Being able to grow from seed is more cost-effective than buying an already germinated young plant too — saving your pennies!
Most heated propagators also feature a light, which helps seedlings grow healthily and provides high output for low energy. Often, the propagator contains a reflector that can reflect lost light and diffuse light deep into the plant leaves.
Modern watering devices
If you want to grow your own vegetables, you need to keep on top of your watering — and with the help of a multi-pot watering kit, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to water your seeds.
This device can supply hydration to around 25 plants simultaneously and can even the time of day in order to make sure your plants receive sufficient fluid regularly. You can set up the gadget so that it slowly releases water to the root of the plant which will save you the effort, too! Connect it to your outdoor garden tap for even less hassle.
Monitoring your flowers and plants
Similar to watering, there are other nutrients and factors that play a part in your plants’ health. However, there is one gadget that can help — the Parrot Flower Power plant monitor.
With a battery life of six months and a huge catalog of plants in its database, this device is ideal for monitoring the wellbeing of your garden. Simply place the monitor into the soil next to your plant and the monitor can detect; sunlight, temperature, and fertilizer. This information then is sent straight to your smartphone, so you know when to water them or add more fertilizer.
Snapping the best of your garden
Why not document your gardening achievements? Often the beauty of the plant is in the detail of its leaves or perhaps you enjoy watching the wildlife in the garden. Either way, to take the best photos in the garden, you should invest in an Olloclip Pro Lens.
This gadget is secured perfectly on any iPhone, so you don’t have to worry about it falling off and losing it as you’re taking pictures outside. Simply clip it over the lens of your phone and it combines with your phones digital zoom — letting you take macro photos with up to 100x magnification. It’s ideal for capturing the details that aren’t visible to the human eye or even monitoring insects as they enjoy your garden. You’re guaranteed to get some wonderful shots without the need for purchasing a professional camera.
Get on board with these top gardening technology trends and boost your gardening this summer.