Set and Forget

What’s Inside

Australia is one of the driest inhabited continents on Earth. Adelaide gets less rain than London. And yet we keep watering our gardens with the sophistication of a bloke with a thumb over a hose.

This book changes that. From smart irrigation controllers that check the weather forecast and skip watering when rain’s coming, to soil moisture sensors that tell you exactly when your tomatoes are thirsty, to complete Home Assistant setups that run your entire garden automatically.

Who It’s For

• Australian gardeners tired of hand-watering
• Tech-curious people who want to automate their backyard
• Water-conscious Australians who want every drop to count
• Anyone who’s killed a plant by forgetting to water it (or overwatering it)

What You’ll Learn

Part 1 — Why Automate? The Australian water problem, what automated gardening actually means, and why it’s not just for tech nerds.

Part 2 — Water: Drip irrigation, smart controllers (Hydrawise, B-hyve, Netro compared), soil moisture sensors, rainwater tank integration, greywater systems.

Part 3 — Beyond Water: Automated feeding, greenhouse climate control, grow lights, pest management.

Part 4 — DIY Smart Garden: Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects, Home Assistant integration, solar-powered garden tech, budget builds under $200.

Part 5 — Growing Smarter: Seasonal planting guides by climate zone, wicking beds (with corrected cost data), native and drought-hardy gardens, vertical and small-space automation.

Part 6 — Real Talk: What I wish someone told me, maintenance schedules, and the best Australian gardening communities.

The Biggest Book in the Series

At 91,000 words across 22 chapters, this is the most comprehensive automated gardening guide written specifically for Australian conditions. Every product recommendation, every watering schedule, every plant suggestion — tested against Australian soil, climate, and water restrictions.

91,000 words. 22 chapters. Every drop counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is automated gardening and how does it work in Australia?

Automated gardening uses smart irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and weather data to water your garden only when needed — and skip watering when rain is forecast. In Australia, where water restrictions are common and summers are brutal, this approach can cut water use by 30-50% while keeping your garden healthier than hand-watering ever could.

What’s the best smart irrigation controller for Australian gardens?

The book compares every major controller available in Australia: Hunter Hydrawise (best for serious gardeners), Orbit B-hyve (best value), Netro Pixie (best for small gardens), and DIY options using Home Assistant and ESPHome. Each review includes Australian pricing, availability, and real-world performance in Aussie conditions.

Can I automate my garden on a budget?

Yes. A basic automated garden setup starts from around $150 — a timer-based drip system from Bunnings will get you started. The book includes three budget tiers: Basic ($150-300), Smart ($300-800), and Full Automation ($800-2,000+). The DIY chapter shows how to build a solar-powered soil moisture sensor for under $30.

How much water does automated irrigation save?

In Australian conditions, smart irrigation typically saves 30-50% compared to manual watering or basic timers. Soil moisture sensors prevent overwatering (the #1 killer of Australian gardens), and weather-aware controllers skip cycles when rain is coming. The book includes real water bills from readers who made the switch.

Does automated gardening work with native Australian plants?

Absolutely — and native gardens are actually the easiest to automate because most Australian natives prefer less water and less fuss. The book includes specific watering schedules and sensor settings for native gardens, veggie patches, fruit trees, and lawn separately.

5 Reasons to Automate Your Garden in Australia

1. Save water — Smart irrigation uses 30-50% less water than hand-watering, crucial in Australia’s dry climate
2. Save time — Spend weekends enjoying your garden instead of standing with a hose for 45 minutes
3. Healthier plants — Consistent, measured watering beats the feast-or-famine of manual watering every time
4. Holiday-proof — Go away for two weeks and come back to a thriving garden, not a graveyard
5. It’s cheaper than you think — A basic smart irrigation setup costs less than two dead plants from Bunnings