first “photo remodeling” idea
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Smart irrigation systems
Notes:
- The first “smart” item is installing an automated irrigation system using two key components highlighted below. An automated irrigation system makes maintaining your garden so much easier. No more pulling around the hose to keep your lawn and garden watered during hot summer days.
- Likewise, an automated system is better for overall landscape maintenance. You can automatically time your irrigation to run early morning to avoid summer evaporation that can occur later in the day. And if the system has WIFI setup, you can easily shut it off and on again when it rains or when you have a predictive hot summer day ahead.
- The “smartest” automated solution is to the have the irrigation system connected to lawn and garden sensors that monitor moisture levels of the surrounding landscape. These sensors can trigger the irrigation system to turn on or remain off due to moisture content. That way you never have to worry about under- or over-watering your landscape.
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There are two components to consider to design a smart irrigation system as illustrated from the photo above: [ scroll back up ]
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Automated Irrigation System:
This is an irrigation system installed underground with irrigation piping and heads established throughout your landscape segmented by zones. Each zone is managed by a controller that releases pressured water to the zone area during established times and controls.
- You can install these systems DYI or hire an irrigation contractor. You simply need the piping, irrigation heads, controller, and plumbing knowledge – alone with a trench digger – to install varying piping throughout your yard.
- Note that you must segment your installation by zones – a zone for the front lawn, zone for the side lawn, etc. Depending on the area that you will be irrigating, you need to determine the number and type of irrigation heads to use to cover the irrigation zone with maximize water pressure. You will use the controller to determine which zones get water and at what times. So if you are thinking DIY, make sure to understand everything about layout, installation and operation.
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Rain Collection System:
The second “smart” component is a rain collection system that collects rain runoff and distributes it into an underground reservoir for irrigation use. The advantage is that you are collecting rain that can be used later to keep your garden irrigated.
- Note that running irrigation systems cost money if you use community water supply. With your own reservoir, you can setup your irrigation system to draw water from the reservoir first and then the community second. This type setup can save money and manage landscape runoff.
- You need to check with your jurisdiction, however. Some jurisdictions do not allow collection of rain. So double check before making an investment into rain collection.
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underground irrigation systemwater pressure gaugerain harvest tank
second “photo remodeling” idea
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Smart lighting
Notes:
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Wired Lighting:
The second “smart” landscaping decision is smart landscape lighting. With the combination of “wired” and “solar” lighting, you can illuminate your landscape into a beautiful array of colors and lighting options.
- Many of the new wired landscape options come with low-voltage lighting. These appliances use LED lighting that only consume 12-volts. That saves on energy costs with greater lighting options and styles.
- You can make your wired lighting smart by connecting lighting controls to WIFI and other automated sensors to give you the following options:
- you can control and change the lighting using your electronic device. You can set the schedule, select the lighting type, and change the schedule with the use of your phone or pad.
- with smart lighting, you can use multi-color LED bulbs that can alternate between colors – again with the control of your device. You can change it to red or any color to celebrate holidays and events. Or allow the lighting to cycle through varying colors throughout the night.
- with the right controls, you can alternate the position of certain lighting such as security lighting. If you you want to investigate a noise in the backyard, simply move the security light into the position you want.
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Solar Lighting:
Solar lighting is perfect for those spots that are too hard to reach with wired lighting. This may include inside garden beds, watering areas, etc. You can find similar lighting appliances that are energized by the sun that make great additions to the garden:
- solar globes: view ideas | shop
- solar planters: view ideas | shop
- solar flowers: view ideas | shop
- solar garden stakes: view ideas | shop
- solar garden animals: view ideas | shop
- solar string lights: view ideas | shop
- As you can see, there are varied types of solar lighting that can make your landscape come alive. All you need is a spot that gets enough sun to illuminate the solar appliance for the night.
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Combine Them:
By using a combination of wired and solar lighting, you can quickly transform your garden into a showy spectacular that will impress your neighbors. And surprising, the right landscape wiring can add value to your overall home investment.
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| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| HOW TO: install low-voltage lighting | |
| INFO: solar lighting 101 | |
| YOUTUBE: planning landscape lighting | |
May We Suggest Other Photo Remodeling Ideas About
“Making a Smart Home”
third “photo remodeling” idea
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Smart plant censoring and growing
Notes:
- You may or may not care to maintain a garden. But if you would like to be more self-sustaining, than incorporating a garden area in your landscaping can benefit the family in garden growing and food development.
- We have three gardening options to consider:
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Plot of Land:
This is by far the easiest and least expensive method of establishing a garden. You simply mark off a section of your land, remove the sod and other vegetation growth, plow it, furrow it, and then plant your favorite vegetables and berries.
- how to get a garden going
- You will experience a learning curve in your first year of garden growing and harvesting. But as time moves on, you will become an expert in growing food that can be canned and/or frozen for family use.
- One option you might consider adding to your garden is “smart” plant censoring units that monitor the soil composition, moisture, pH balance and more. These monitors can be used to build the right elements to maximize garden harvest.
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Greenhouse Gardening:
We are referring to a sizable greenhouse that is about the same area size of a small garden. The advantage of greenhouses is a longer growing season, protection from pests such as squirrels, deer and bunnies, and easier monitoring of plants.
- Greenhouses are best for lettuce and other leafy plants that don’t require much soil. However, greenhouses are not well suited for corn, pumpkin and other tubular plants that grow under soil – they take up too much greenhouse area. That’s why some gardeners have both land and greenhouses to maximize their garden harvest.
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Hydroponic Gardening:
the final gardening option is using hydroponics to grow food. It’s the new way of gardening using feeding technology to increase growth and harvest.
- Hydroponic gardening can be operated outside or within greenhouses. You will have better control and monitoring using a greenhouse where many commercial hydroponic gardens flourish.
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- So it comes down to the selection of three gardening options. A “smart-living” landscaping suggestion is to have all three. Use your plot of land for large growing plants like corn, potatoes, pumpkin, tubular plants, berries, and other vegetables that take up a large are of growth.
- Then use a greenhouse with hydroponic gardening for leafy greens, tomatoes, small berries, and other vegetables that don’t require a large area for growth. These plants can fit nicely using hydroponic gardening systems where smart monitoring can maximize the plant health during their growing season.
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| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| WHAT ARE: best vegetables for garden | |
| ILLUSTRATION: hydroponic gardening | |
| YOUTUBE: greenhouse gardening tips | |
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fourth “photo remodeling” idea
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Smart surveillance
Notes:
- What is surveillance? It means keeping a close watch or observation of your home exterior for all kinds of activity that may or may not be intrusive. Some examples:
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Home Security:
The most important component of smart surveillance is the installment of a smart home security system with home security lighting and surveillance cameras. It could be something simple like motion-detection lighting or something more elaborate like motion detection and surveillance.
- With motion-detection lighting, your home security lights will turn on by a sensor that monitors movement. This could be a person who has invaded your space. The sudden light coming on may scare the intruder away.
- Adding surveillance cameras with motion-detection lighting give you another layer of protection. Any intrusion in and around your house or property will illuminate and begin recording within the perimeter. That means any intrusion will be on camera that would-be burglars like to avoid.
- Another advantage of smart surveillance systems is that everything can be controlled via WIFI. This is an important benefit when traveling – you can monitor, control and adjust systems remotely as you need.
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Home Observation:
If you looking for something more advanced, you could wire your smart property with drone surveillance. If the detection monitors an invasive movement on your property and home, the drone will go into action with a light and camera to follow the person around.
- This type of surveillance is excellent for areas that are prone to frequent break-ins – especially during the day when no one is home.
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Home Inspection:
Drone technology is another smart surveillance system that can be used to inspect your roof, gutters, high places around the home, and other areas of your yard for maintenance and upkeep purposes.
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Animal Watching:
Using small surveillance cameras and/or drones, you can install observation viewing stations throughout your yard to watch birds, wildlife, and other critters that may be visiting your yard. A special treat for those who enjoy watching wildlife.
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surveillance camerassensor security lightingsurveillance drones
| References (opens new win except noted) | |
| SERVICES: landscapers (see below) | |
| WHERE TO: place surveillance cameras | |
| INFO: use drones for home inspections | |
| PLANNING: bedroom makeover (same win) | |
Find Home Network Services Networks/Phone Computers/ Media Home Automation Electrical Wiring Interior Designers Furniture top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Quick Contractor Guides selecting negotiating working with inspecting
fifth and last “photo remodeling” idea
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Smart weather monitoring
Notes:
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Predicting Weather:
Our final suggestion for smart landscaping is a weather monitoring system to monitor weather conditions related to landscaping and irrigation. These systems could be simple like a weather station that gives temperature and barometric readings; or it could be more a sophisticated system that measures wind, humidity, and more.
- It all depends on what you would like to know regarding weather conditions for your particular area. It could be helpful in planning irrigation needs. If rain is predicted, then irrigation systems system can be halted to save water. If windy and dry condition are predicted, then perhaps longer cycles of irrigation needs in the early morning coud be automatically scheduled.
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Smart Uses:
It’s true that you can pick up you smart device and get any weather reading you need from your mobile device. But a personal weather station works for your particular area that might be helpful when planning landscape needs. For example:
- weather sensor in your garden could turn on drip irrigation when the temperature reaches a certain point – giving the landscape needed water during hot conditions.
- the same weather monitoring could open up spray irrigation for crops if the temperature nears freezing – the added spray can provide a blanket of security for some crops in the event of a light freeze.
- it could be used as a teaching experience for family members to learn the science of weather predicting. It could also be a fun contraption to connect via WIFI to know weather conditions for your particular property.
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FINAL REMARKS
Why smart landscaping? Because it can your increase home value and personal comfort. The rising generation, who are our future home buyers, appreciate smart everything. So having a smart landscape is something that will make your home more valuable to those who expect nothing less.
- Plus, smart landscaping add convenience and beauty for those who enjoy everything gardening.
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creating smart landscaping your yard and garden
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| HOW TO: install weather station | |
| IMAGES: weather station guide | |
| YOUTUBE: weather station & sprinklers | |
Cover image credit: by twenty20.com
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