Gadget of the Month | Tech for the Nerdy Gardener

It’s gardening time! And Farmer Bill is ready to collaborate with Phil to claim the Tech Gardener of the Year title. As you know, gardening is a delightful blend of art and science. In this digital age, technology offers innovative solutions to help both novice and seasoned gardeners achieve better results. These smart gadgets can transform your garden space. Here are some cutting-edge tools that will make Bill’s spacebar callused thumb a little greener.

Garden Plan Pro iPad (gardenplanpro.com)

Having trouble plotting your plot? The Garden Plan Pro app acts as a visual aid in laying out your patches before you pick up a shovel. It also provides weather station data, gives advice on the best plants for your region, and offers information on more than 140 different species of flowers and vegetables.

Propane Flame King Weed Burner Torch (flameking.com)

This item lets Bill channel his inner Beavis and Butthead and yell ‘Fire, fire, fire.” Weeds are the bane of a gardener’s existence. They appear every year and everywhere in your garden. You can use a hoe or pull by hand, but torching is easier and more fun. While a small blow torch from the hardware store will burn and kill weeds well enough, it may strain your back to constantly crouch down. The Flame King torch ($45 at Amazon) comes with a long, 3-foot wand, fully assembled, and with an adjustable flame switch. You do have to take extreme precautions not to set your yard or garden on fire. Torches are best for eliminating weeds from seams in patios or driveways. This is way better than dousing your outdoor space in pesticides and weed killers.

Brinno GardenWatchCam (Brinno. com)

This is a techie gardener’s dream. Set this up in your garden and watch your flowers grow, or see which critters are grazing from the gardens. And, you can do so while sitting inside (day or night) and looking at your phone, computer, or iPad. It is super easy to use and fun. The time-lapse motion camera can be set to snapshots at intervals from 1 minute to every 24 hours. Just stick the camera outdoors and watch your garden grow and be consumed by critters.

Bosch Isio Cordless Shrub Shear (Amazon)

Trimming hedges and shrubs just got easier with the Bosch Isio Shrub Shear. This handheld multi-tool features a lithium-ion battery that provides almost an hour of work on a single charge. Its efficient design ensures continuous cutting, even in dense foliage. Say goodbye to manual pruning struggles and hello to precise, effortless trimming.

Vegibee Pollinator (Amazon)

Good gardeners love pollinators, and Bill is no exception (except when he gets a bee sting and cries like a baby). This gadget is for garden connoisseurs looking to finetune their craft. The VegiBee imitates the high-frequency vibrations of a bee’s wings during pollination. The waves release pollen onto a spoon, which the gardener can use to hand-pollinate other plants for a 30 percent increase in crop yield. Plus, you get the satisfaction of giving Mother Nature a helping hand.

Netatmo Weather Station and Rain Gauge (Netatmo.com – many models)

Bill loves playing with this personal weather station. He loves its smart speaker look and its ability to inform you of upcoming weather patterns. It also keeps track of weather history for months. If you add the Rain Gauge accessory you will know exactly how much water you need to make your garden grow. It monitors the indoor environment as well as the outdoor weather. Among other features, this weather station measures indoor CO2 levels and provides the air quality index in real-time. Netatmo links to your smartphone, keeping track of what’s best for your home, plants, and garden.

SmartPlant (Android or iOS)

As most of you know, Bill is getting old and forgetful. He often forgets what he has planted and needs help from SmartPlant. SmartPlant is a mobile app that uses image recognition to identify

plants and provide information on how to care for them. Users can identify plants by taking a photo of them, and the app will provide information on what the plant is and how to care for it. SmartPlant also includes reminders to help users keep their plants alive.

Remember, these gadgets aren’t meant to replace your green thumbs and hard work, but to complement them. Embrace the fusion of nature and technology, and watch your garden flourish like never before. Maybe you can compete with Bill for the Nerdy Gardener of the Year award.

- Bill & Phil