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Plant irrigation setup keeps up with local weather

The Cyber-Rain Automated Irrigation System checks local forecasts over the Internet, and automatically adjusts your watering timer to account for differences in precipitation.

Jennifer Lowell
Jenn Lowell spent her time at the University of Colorado building robots and other toys before earning her graduate degree in mechatronics and mechanical engineering. She is a self-proclaimed lover of anything that runs off of electricity and has moving parts or motors. Currently pulling double-duty as a high school science teacher and freelance blogger, she has free time seldom enough to deeply appreciate the modern technological conveniences that give her more of it. She is a long-time recreational blogger currently living and working in Brooklyn, NY.
Jennifer Lowell

Since the invention of agriculture, people have tried to come up with smarter ways to water plants. Those with indoor gardens have ultimate control over the amount of H20 that goes over the plants, and have only to rely on their gardening sensibilities to gauge how much to use. Those with outdoor gardens, however, are subject to the laws of nature. And with all that outdoor space comes a bigger garden, not as easily watered by hand.

Many people opt for garden timers that space out watering times, but these create a potential for waste. On rainy days, why not let Mother Nature do the hard work? This Cyber-Rain Automated Irrigation System plans to do just that.

Cyber-Rain checks local forecasts over the Internet, and automatically adjusts your watering timer to account for differences in precipitation. The payoff is a savings of 70 percent of your normal watering costs. It controls up to eight customizable zones and can be installed outdoors.

The Cyber-Rain is available for $399 at Smarthome.