The impact of technology on growing produce
Discover the five major ways that technology is being used to benefit gardeners growing produce.
Data monitoring
One of the major ways that technology is assisting us with growing produce is the introduction of data monitoring. Sensor sticks placed in the soil can read the levels of nutrients, assess moisture, analyse sub-level plant activity and identify potentially harmful chemicals.
Constant monitoring leads to large amounts of data which can be analysed with computer software to spot trends and identify areas for improvement. This helps gardeners and farmers to give their plants optimum care throughout the lifecycle, from seeds and seedlings to produce-bearing plants.
Controlled environments
Whether you are trying to grow tomato plants that thrive on light or aubergines that need consistent warmth, controlled environments can help you produce fruit and vegetables at their best.
The introduction of technology into gardening and agriculture has made it easy to keep the light, temperature and moisture levels of growing areas steady. LED lights with a specific wavelength that stimulates photosynthesis perfectly mimic natural sunlight, and smart thermostats can communicate with heaters and coolers to keep the temperature constant all year.
Remote-control tools
Automated technology can aid plant maintenance in other ways as well. Remote-control tools like smart sprinklers can be set to come on at certain times with no need for direct involvement, ensuring that your plants are perfectly cared for even when you’re not physically present.
Robotic garden tools like automatic lawnmowers and weeders are also helping to hone produce growth while streamlining and speeding up the cultivation process for gardeners and farmers.
Urban farming
As countries around the world pledge to hit net zero carbon emissions and a greater focus is being placed on growing plants over rearing livestock, urban farming is gaining momentum. This term refers to the use of vertical gardens in cities and other urban areas where there is no room for traditional farms.
21st-century engineering and technology allow light and water to filter to each area of the vertical garden while sensors and robotic devices help to maintain health, harvest and plant new produce.
AR advisory apps
The introduction of augmented reality is one of the most amazing technological advancements of the 21st century. It’s used across all industries to connect real life with the digital world.
Experiment with AR advisory apps built to assist gardeners. Using your phone camera, you can feed a photo of your plant into the app and get instant expert advice on any potential problems and the best care going forward. This gives you accurate tailored growing advice at the click of a button.
