Maximum Yield USA May 2017 | Page 50

hydroponic gardening apps THE PLANT DOCTOR One of the most frustrating things about gardening is dealing with plant health issues. Maybe there is a pest attacking the plant. Maybe there’s a disease ravag- ing your plants. Maybe the room your plant is in is too dark. It can sometimes be hard to tell what the problem is. That’s where this application comes in. As you answer a number of question prompts, the app helps pinpoint what’s going wrong in your garden. Once you have some answers, you’ll be able to devise a plan of action to combat whatever is diagnosed, thanks to the app’s recommen- dations on topics like water, heat, fertilizer, light, and humidity. This is another iTunes app for Apple products and is available for $2.99. There are a number of applications on the Play Store for Android users that offer a similar service. WHEN TO PLANT This app is wonderful for outdoor growers, and it could be useful for indoor growers as well. It offers a huge amount of information to help tailor your planting plans for a wide variety of crops. Just enter in your zip code to find out the average frost dates for your specific area and cross-reference with the USDA Hardiness Zones. You’ll also get information on the plants themselves, such as what soil types are best, sowing instructions, and harvesting. This iTunes-only app is $1.99. There are some garden manager apps that are somewhat similar available on the Play Store.   BONUS: A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE OF GARDENING TECHNOLOGY “THESE applications are exactly what you’ve been missing for your hydroponic systems or gardens.” Not strictly just an app, SmartBee Controllers is a grow system that combines an app with sensors that you can use for indoor and outdoor gardening. This system is completely modular, so you only need to purchase the sensors you’re using. Some of the grow system functions that you can use SmartBee for include timers, temperature, CO 2 levels, humidity, irrigation systems, and lighting. This system allows you to customize and automate your grow system. Those interested in these systems can check out their website where they have a handy store locator to see if any local hydroponic shops are selling these items or can purchase them online. This kind of tech is sure to grow as it becomes more widely available.   The future is now! These applications are exactly what you’ve been missing for your hydroponic systems or gardens. Never forget when to water. Know exactly when you should plant in your area. Identify any plant diseases that may have struck your crops. These apps will change the way you garden. 48 feature