Activity trackers are all the rage these days. From the Jawbone UP to the Nike+ Fuelband and FitBit Flex, we can’t get enough of tracking our daily activities. But we aren’t the only ones whose mood, nutrition, and daily activities need to be tracked. Plants need in on the action too!
We’ve shown you all sorts of creative planters (for the avant gardener), swooned over creating a living workspace with Urbio, tried our hand at the Click and Grow, and even made our own centerpiece terrarium. But there’s one problem none of these attractive plant-related goodies solve. How do you know when to feed, water, and simply talk to your plant? Here are 5 0f the coolest plant monitors our there, sure to make your thumb a little bit greener.
1. Plant Link ($80): Plant Link is all about water. It consists of a main base and a link that you put in the soil next to your plant. From the soil, the link measures water level and inputs it in the Plant Link website, and suggests a custom watering schedule for your plant. The app will then alert you when your plant needs watering, but only if you’re close to it. ‘Cause let’s face it, we’ll probably forget if we’re far away from the plant (it’s probably why it’s so thirsty in the first place!). In addition, if the link is for outdoor plants, you can connect a smart valve to your hose, and it’ll water your plants for you.
2. Flower Power: Flower Power is like Plant Link on extra fertilizer. Not only does it measure the water levels of your plant, it also tracks sunlight exposure, temperature, and fertilizer levels. All you do is stick in the sensor, input what kind of plant it is on their website, and it’ll give you a health analysis of your plant. Using your plant’s health analysis, it’ll send you push notifications to let you know what it needs. It’s slated to emerge from the ground sometime this year.
3. Koubachi ($99): Nope, this isn’t a golf putt. The Koubachi is a Wi-Fi plant sensor that measures water, temperature, and light levels. It then sends all the information into the Koubachi website that you can access via phone and web. It’s also fully rainproof, so you don’t have to worry about those heavy storms. At $99, it’s definitely a good investment for the new gardener.
4. Easybloom ($50): It’s true, the EasyBloom plant sensor really does make blooming easier. What’s different about this sensor is that not only can you use it to see how your plant is faring, you can also use it to see what plants are ideal for where. Want to grow something in that empty patch in the front yard? Put the EasyBloom in the soil, get an analysis, and send it to the EasyBloom website. Using the soil information, the website will recommend what plants will thrive in that environment.
5. Botanicalls ($100): Botanicalls literally enables your plants to call you. When your plant is hungry or thirsty, the device will give you a ring and let you know exactly what it needs. So cool! If you don’t feel like getting called all the time, it can also send you a tweet. Botanicalls is definitely taking plan nurturing to a whole new level. We also like how the device has a minimalist, geeky feel with no fuss. It looks like the inside of a computer!
And we couldn’t resist, so we have one more bonus plant sensor!
Bonus! Monologue: We couldn’t help but adore the way this simple plant sensor look. It’s voice activated, so if you’re being a bad plant owner, it’s not afraid to tell you so! Sadly, it’s still in the design phase, but we’re crossing our fingers that it’ll make it into production soon.
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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