Garden Culture Magazine issue 59
“Hey, Chat GPT, write me a 300-word intro on how technology is great and not great at the same time, particularly regarding indoor gardening.” That would have been too easy and probably not as authentic as writing this myself. But is that where technology is taking us?
In the article “Growing with AI in the Garden,” Haley Nagasaki asks, “ How far is too far? What dictates overreliance, and how could AI dependency ultimately lead to catastrophe? On the contrary, how much time could be saved, and what menial tasks should operators be relieved of while increasing precision and mitigating human error?”
Technology isn’t only about AI. Lighting has always been a rapidly evolving element in the garden, from MH, HPS (single-ended / double-ended), plasma, CMH, and finally, the market-disrupting LED. Everest Fernandez delves into the subject in “LED Grow Lights: Past, Present, and Future.” If you want fantastic tips on creating the perfect environment, you will be glad to read “LEDs and the Sealed Cultivation Environment.”
Advances in chemistry are a form of technology we often forget. In “What is a Rockwool Microbiome?” Co-writers Jeff Hayward and Colin Bell pHd ask if Rockwool is a lifeless, sterile substrate for plants to anchor their roots. The answer is a resounding NO—a great read by two intelligent guys.
If you want excellent hands-on gardening advice, check out Dustan Mclean’s “The Early Topping Technique.” Sometimes, all the technology you need is a good pair of scissors!
Remember to take a break from our electronic lives as often as possible. Get your hands dirty. If it is winter, go to your grow room and be with your plants. For all of you who do not have an indoor garden, what are you waiting for?
