Interviews and Results
Post-it Brainstorming
Hydroponic plant pot
This plant pot looks like a typical pot from the outside, but is actually a hydroponics system. Instead of the pot being filled with dirt, it is actually filled with nutrient enhanced water. The plant sits in a grow tray near the top, and the bottom is filled with the nutrient water. A small pump is then able to deliver water to the root where they absorb nutrients and filter the water. This is similar to most hydroponics systems, the difference is in its application. This can be used in landscaping, particular with larger potted plants. It will look like a traditional potted plant from the outside, but the inside will incorporate the innovations in hydroponics. This will allow for a mostly self-sustaining system once the plant begins to grow.
Hose nozzle with water-tracker
This is a hose-head attachment that is able to help determine that amount of water needed. As part of the attachment, there is a little computerized system. Here you can input information about your particularly plant, such as type, size or area being watered. For instance you could say you are watering a garden bed with five tomato plants. The computer can then estimate that amount of water needed for those plants and as you water their will be a little fill bar telling you when to stop. This device would also be able to store the information about your garden. So, you could map out your garden and then just select which areas you are watering. This can make it easy to accurately estimate the amount of water needed. However, if you did not want to put in all the information about you plants, it could also give you a summary of the amount of water you used so you can track water usage and see if you are using the correct amounts of water.
Soil-moisture indicator
This is a small device that can be inserted into the soil surrounding a plant. It can measure the moisture level of the soil, so it knows when the plant must be watered. There will be a small light on top with green indicating a good moisture level, yellow indicating it could use water, and red meaning it needs to be watered now. A notification can also be sent to your phone or other device when the soil is dry and the plant is in desperate need of some water. This ensures that you are watering your plant the correct amount, not over or under-watering, which in turn prevents excess water-usage. This device also helps you to remember to water your plants. This device may be very helpful for people who are unsure how much to water their plants or how frequently, and it can also be helpful to the people that just forget to water their plants.
