Smart Tech for Your Green Thumb.
Smart Gardening Tech: Build Your Smart Outdoor Space
Do you prefer time in the garden over lounging inside? Into smart home tech, but a bit more “barefoot in the grass” than “screen in hand”? Good news—your green space can be smart too.
Here are some practical, fun, and surprisingly useful ways to bring smart home tech to your outdoor setup.
Smart Garden Watering Systems
Watering right—correct volumes, at the right times—is one of the biggest factors in garden success.
Before installing a smart watering system, I relied on old-school rotary timers and occasional hand watering. It was good, but once I upgraded, I realised how much better things could be.
Using a smart watering system means your garden gets what it needs, when it needs it—automatically.
Bonus: Smart watering systems may be allowed even under water restrictions (check your local rules first).
Options to try:
- Holman's Smart Irrigation Range
- Orbit B-Hyve Tap Timer (via Bunnings)
- Or build your own using a weatherproof smart plug (guide coming soon)
Smart Weather Stations
Netatmo Indoor & Outdoor Units – Source
Pairing a smart weather station with your watering system allows you to automate adjustments. If it’s been raining or is forecasted to, watering will pause or reduce.
Ever seen sprinklers going off in the middle of a rainstorm? Don’t be that person.
Top Picks:
Also—if you’re secretly a weather nerd like me (I read cloud-formation books at 14), it’s genuinely fun to track local data.
OTT Feature: Voice-Controlled Water Features
In a move that’s equal parts awesome and ridiculous, I set up a voice-activated water feature. I can say, “Alexa, turn on the fountain,” and boom—serenity in sound form.
It was a simple DIY: a smart plug, weatherproof enclosure, pond pump, and large pot. Full build coming soon.
Outdoor Smart Lighting
Lighting instantly transforms your backyard. It adds beauty, safety, and usability after dark.
You’ve got two routes:
- Smart plug + existing lights
- Smart garden lighting kits, like the Philips Hue Outdoor Range
For a full breakdown, see Smart Outdoor Lighting and our general guide to Smart Lighting.
Smart Outdoor Audio
Sonos Play 5 – Source
Music in the backyard? Yes please.
You can go budget-friendly with a Bluetooth speaker, or big with a fully integrated system.
See my guides:
Smart Gardening Tech: IoT Overkill or Genius?
Maybe a little of both. But honestly, my plants have never looked better—and I’m using less water than ever thanks to precision timing.
So, if you’ve got a love for green thumbs and tech toys, this niche is for you.
Got questions? Want me to test something new? Hit me up—I’d love to hear what you’re building out there.