5 Cool Ways Tech Keeps Environments in Check

5 Garden Culture Experts Weigh In

Feeling overwhelmed by the unlimited possibilities out there when it comes to implementing technology in your grow room or outdoor garden? We feel you. That’s why we’re simplifying things by going straight to the source for information. Garden Culture Magazine is proud to have an incredible lineup of seasoned growers and experts as regular contributors. From high-tech to low-tech, we asked some of them to share their favorite tools and gadgets. Here’s how tech keeps environments in check! 

1. Sensors, Probes, and Meters

What’s an avid gardener to choose in a world driven by technology? Colin Bell, PhD, doesn’t limit himself to one or two; he’s got a lineup of basic gadgets that help him achieve optimal results in the grow room. He starts with temperature and humidity sensors, which you’ll learn many of our expert writers can’t live without (see below!).

Colin also uses pH and soil moisture probes to help keep his plants on track. Measuring pH in the garden is essential; knowing your range will help you select the right plants and help them better absorb nutrients. Moisture probes are handy because your soil is never as moist or dry as you think, helping you avoid under-or-overwatering. Finally, Colin loves his PAR meter, which measures light intensity from the sun or indoor lights. Are your plants getting enough light for photosynthesis and healthy growth? The naked eye can’t tell you that, but a PAR meter can.   

2. Autopots Keep Environments in Check 

Garden Culture’s president, Eric Coulombe, is an accomplished grower who has extensively tested various products and gadgets. One of his favorites is a low-tech tool: the Autopot system. “When I say Autopot system, I mainly refer to the valve. Whether you have one plant or a thousand, it automatically controls water flow based on your plants’ needs, rather than relying on timers or electricity,” Eric says. Simple-to-use, Autopots are the perfect eco-friendly irrigation solution for hydroponics, indoor soil cultivation, or greenhouses. Plants are gravity-fed from a tank or water barrel, eliminating the need for constant attention.

Remember our article featuring Eric’s incredible yield of eight pounds of turmeric? That was achieved with a 3.8-gallon Autopot! “There are pot sizes and configurations for any sized plant, and now, with the Tray 2 Grow system, you can grow sprouts, potted plants, or even a 23-gallon planter,” he says. “I have been growing in different Autopot systems for 20 years, and I recommend it for all avid gardeners. Eight pounds of turmeric, anyone?  

3. Infrared Thermometers

Daily inspections of the garden and grow room are crucial for detecting pests, diseases, or other issues before they become significant problems for your plants. But there are certain things your eyes can’t detect, which is why our Gareth Hopcroft loves an infrared thermometer for measuring leaf surface temperature. “Monitoring leaf temperature is crucial for understanding whether a plant is transpiring at a healthy rate,” he says. “Ideally, the leaf temperature should be 1–3°C lower than the surrounding air temperature. This is especially useful in LED grow rooms, where leaf temperatures often run too low. An infrared thermometer is also the only reliable tool for accurately calculating Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD).” VPD is also related to photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and stress levels, so understanding and managing it is vital to the overall plant health, leading to better yields and less water waste. This tech keeps environments in check! 

4. Plant Leaf Sensors

Regular Garden Culture contributor Adam Clarke can’t help but agree with Gareth; understanding leaf activity is at the top of his priority list, and there’s one product he can’t live without at Galiano Grow House, where he produces food and medicinal plants year-round. “The Aranet wireless IR plant leaf sensor allows us to monitor precisely what is happening at the leaf surface to determine transpiration from the plant and maintain a much healthier environment for plant health,” he says. The Aranet plant leaf sensor is wireless and features an adjustable arm, enabling a high accuracy rate with its dew point and VPD calculations. The battery lasts up to ten years! No wonder Adam loves it so much. “This is very likely one of my favourite industry technologies to use.” Check out Adam’s article in this edition for an in-depth look at wireless and wired sensors.

5. Keeping it Old-School

We’re all for lazy summer days, but in the sun’s heat, our minds inevitably turn to our gardens and quenching their thirst. Mulching, composting, and other techniques will help lock in moisture, allowing you to get back to your lazy ways. Gadgets can help, too, even the old-school ones! Garden Culture’s Haley Nagasaki takes a set-it-and-forget-it approach when it comes to her garden’s irrigation needs. “I love a good old-fashioned hose and sprinkler timer for the garden,” she says. “It’s super simple, and when I’m away, I don’t have to worry about drought.” It doesn’t have to be pricey; many affordable options are available, and most models enable you to customize the watering duration and frequency for your plants. With watering taken care of, you can focus on other garden tasks and quenching your own thirst. Cheers!