Over the years of writing for the Important Media Network (and its previous incarnation, Green Options), I have been instantly attracted to good consumer technology products that make the environment a priority. The Nest thermostat is a prime example of this, as are the various WiFi-controlled LED lights. So, when I heard about Blossom- a smart sprinkler system that promises to cut its users’ water bill by more than 30 percent- I was immediately hooked.
The first line of the press email I received read, “Blossom is a first-of-its-kind smart sprinkler system that conserves water, significantly reduces water utility bills and gives users control from their smartphones or tablets.”
Founded by a team with experience at Skype, Nest, Microsoft, Linksys, and Vizio (amongst others), Blossom has just launched a Kickstarter campaign which intends to “scale manufacturing faster and begin shipping in volume sooner.” And as of writing, the campaign has already passed two-thirds of its target with 29 days to go (and as I sit here, that number just keeps getting higher and higher).
The premise behind Blossom is remarkably simple, and seems to be a logical “next step” in consumer sprinkler technology, smartphone apps, and environmental awareness. It automates your sprinklers based on real-time weather data, provides full control via an app, and claims to be able to lower your water bill by up to 30%.
As the developers note, “almost half of the water used for outdoor irrigation is wasted.” With this in mind, Blossom sets out to minimize water waste, and better distribute the water according to what your garden’s irrigation needs are. “Most residential irrigation systems rely on a