Garden and Gadgets is a website and blog dedicated to blending modern technology with timeless gardening practices. From growing your own vegetables to setting up smart-home devices, we share tips, projects, and product reviews to help you enjoy your home and garden.

I’m John, a lifelong gardener and communications professional living in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I love experimenting with new gadgets in my 1930s home and sharing what works best in the garden, kitchen, and beyond

Absolutely. I feature tools, gadgets, and methods that I’ve personally used in my home or garden. If I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, it doesn’t make the blog.

Yes. Some of the links on Garden and Gadgets are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the blog running.

The best ways to support are by reading and sharing posts, subscribing for updates, or shopping through affiliate links and our garden merch section. Every little bit helps!

Yes! If there’s something you’d like me to cover, you can reach me through our Facebook page. I love hear ing from readers and often turn questions into future blog posts.

Some of the easiest vegetables include green beans, zucchini, lettuce, and radishes. I wrote a full guide on this topic that you can check out here: Easiest vegetables to grow.

I use a mix—onions and some herbs from starts, but most vegetables I grow from seed. Starting from seed gives me more variety and control, but starts are a great option for beginners.

Every gardener faces pests. I successfully revived a Monstera from thrips using systemic treatment and neem oil, and in the garden I use methods like hand-picking, barriers, and organic sprays to manage slugs. Check out the many ways on this page.

I’ve tested several gadgets in my 1930s house. Favorites include the TP-Link Deco X55 router for reliable Wi-Fi, Kasa smart switches for lighting, the Ecobee thermostat for energy savings, and the Rachio sprinkler controller paired with a Tempest weather station for smarter watering.

Yes! My Rachio controller adjusts watering schedules automatically based on weather, soil, and plant needs. Combined with the Tempest weather station, I’ve reduced overwatering and kept my lawn and garden healthier.

Yes. Many of the devices I use—including Kasa switches and the Ecobee thermostat—work seamlessly with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant. This makes it easy to create automations that fit your home’s needs.