A system (100) for controlling garden equipment by operating a garden equipment control device (110), the system (100) comprising: a first module (120) configured to pair with the garden equipment control device (110) over a first network (N1), where the first module (120) is configured to control the garden equipment control device (110) when paired therewith; a second module (200) configured to wirelessly communicate with the garden equipment control device (110) over a second network (N2), wherein the second module (200) is connected to the garden equipment control device (110) through a gateway (210); and a controller associated with the garden equipment control device (110), wherein the controller is configured to check whether the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210); characterized in that: wherein when the controller determines that the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210): the second module (200) is enabled to control the garden equipment control device (110), and the first module (120) is disabled to control the garden equipment control device (110).

A system (100) for controlling garden equipment by operating a garden equipment control device (110), the system (100) comprising: a first module (120) configured to pair with the garden equipment control device (110) over a first network (N1), where the first module (120) is configured to control the garden equipment control device (110) when paired therewith; a second module (200) configured to wirelessly communicate with the garden equipment control device (110) over a second network (N2), wherein the second module (200) is connected to the garden equipment control device (110) through a gateway (210); and a controller associated with the garden equipment control device (110), wherein the controller is configured to check whether the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210); characterized in that: wherein when the controller determines that the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210): the second module (200) is enabled to control the garden equipment control device (110), and the first module (120) is disabled to control the garden equipment control device (110).

Described herein are mobile sensing units for capturing raw data corresponding to certain characteristics of plants and their growing environment. Also described are computer devices and related methods for collecting user inputs, generating information relating to the plants and/or growing environment based on the raw data and user inputs, and displaying same.

Described herein are mobile sensing units for capturing raw data corresponding to certain characteristics of plants and their growing environment. Also described are computer devices and related methods for collecting user inputs, generating information relating to the plants and/or growing environment based on the raw data and user inputs, and displaying same.

Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers include a housing and a removable plug-in device. The housing includes a control portion comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs. The housing includes an interface connector port and driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller. The removable plug-in device removably coupled to the interface connector port and comprising a second microcontroller and a wireless modem configured to communicate with a wireless network. The second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the irrigation controller, wherein the removable plug-in device does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller.

Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers include a housing and a removable plug-in device. The housing includes a control portion comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs. The housing includes an interface connector port and driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller. The removable plug-in device removably coupled to the interface connector port and comprising a second microcontroller and a wireless modem configured to communicate with a wireless network. The second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the irrigation controller, wherein the removable plug-in device does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller.

An inspection device includes an output unit, a storage unit, and an inspection unit. The output unit outputs a control signal for controlling a water supply valve to control supply and no supply of irrigation water from a water supply pipe in an open farm field, between an open state and a closed state. The storage unit stores water pressures of irrigation water as detected in a period from a state where the water supply valve becomes in the open state and irrigation water is supplied from the water supply pipe until an expected time elapses after the water supply valve becomes in the closed state and the water supply pipe is expected to be filled with irrigation water. The inspection unit calculates a time constant of water pressure based on the water pressures and inspects the water supply pipe based on the time constant.

A control device controls a water supply device that supplies irrigation water to an open farm field in which a plant grows. The control device includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, and an output unit. The storage unit stores an environment value of each of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the farm field and weather forecast of the farm field. The calculation unit calculates, based on an environment value and the weather forecast, an irrigation schedule in which supply time and amount of the irrigation water individually supplied to each of the plurality of divided areas during the irrigation period are determined. The output unit outputs to the water supply device, a control signal to control supply and no supply of the irrigation water to each of the plurality of divided areas based on the irrigation schedule.

A control device controls a water supply device that supplies irrigation water to an open farm field in which a plant grows. The control device includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, and an output unit. The storage unit stores an environment value of each of a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the farm field and weather forecast of the farm field. The calculation unit calculates, based on an environment value and the weather forecast, an irrigation schedule in which supply time and amount of the irrigation water individually supplied to each of the plurality of divided areas during the irrigation period are determined. The output unit outputs to the water supply device, a control signal to control supply and no supply of the irrigation water to each of the plurality of divided areas based on the irrigation schedule.

An irrigation management system which allows for modulation of the watering gradient along crop rows. The system may include dual drip lines which allow for selection of gradients based upon the time each of the dual lines is active. The system may utilize pressure sensitive valves which select drip lines based upon the inlet feed water pressure. The system may include drip emitters which modify flow rates based upon inlet feed water pressure.