ConnectedGreen, a key player in the landscaping industry, utilizing data interpretation to optimize plant health through precise irrigation. Their secret weapons? Cutting-edge soil moisture sensors and the knowledge of ConnectedGreen. Together with Sensoterra sensors, these tools are reshaping how landscapers manage water levels, especially during the dry summer seasons, and all year round.
Understanding the Challenge
René Voogt, the visionary founder of ConnectedGreen, has been closely monitoring the impact of drought in the Netherlands, all thanks to the invaluable data from Sensoterra’s advanced soil moisture sensors. Despite a relatively wet winter, many areas never fully recovered from last year’s drought. Voogt’s insights shed light on the significance of understanding soil pore sizes, which directly affect a soil’s ability to provide moisture and oxygen to plants.
As soil dries out, these crucial pores fill with air, rendering the soil hydrophobic, or water-repellent. This phenomenon is widespread and poses long-lasting challenges for the soil.
The Road to Recovery
To revive hydrophobic soil, it needs both water and time. Typically, recovery occurs during winter when there’s less evaporation and more rain. Unfortunately, the previous winter didn’t bring enough rain to replenish the dry regions. This is especially common in areas with sandy subsoil, where topsoil water and groundwater have been depleted due to drought or have descended deeper into the ground.
René likens dried-out soil to a dry sponge. Just like a dry sponge doesn’t immediately absorb water when placed in a bucket, soil needs time to regain its water-absorbing capacity.
Precision in Watering
When dealing with hydrophobic soil, precision in watering is paramount. Smaller, more frequent watering is favored over infrequent, heavy watering, which often results in water runoff. Water may flow over the surface or penetrate the ground too deeply, beyond the reach of plant roots.
By meticulously examining the data collected by Sensoterra sensors, René Voogt employs Connected Green technology to ensure optimal watering. He explains that the moisture graph’s steep peak indicates rapid leaching, which isn’t conducive for the soil in the long run. Smaller, more frequent watering results in gentler, longer-lasting soil health.
This strategy can yield significant water savings—up to 70% less consumption—equating to hundreds of thousands of liters saved in medium-sized municipalities every season.
Innovative Solutions
Precise watering techniques are only part of the equation. Innovations such as rainwater harvesting and the construction of water buffers play a vital role in creating microsystems independent of groundwater availability. While these solutions might not be feasible everywhere, continuous monitoring is crucial to intervene before the soil dries out.
René Voogt believes that future growing areas will incorporate innovative technologies, much like the ones showcased in projects such as the Gouden Gieter.
Sensoterra and ConnectedGreen: A Dynamic Partnership
Sensoterra and ConnectedGreen have joined forces to deliver top-tier soil moisture monitoring for growers worldwide. Sensoterra’s cutting-edge wireless soil moisture sensors are the backbone of this solution, while ConnectedGreen provides data interpretation expertise in a user-friendly app, enriched with data for over 2400 plant species and various soil types. With more than 600 sensors already in place across the Netherlands and Belgium, this partnership is revolutionizing the landscaping industry.
About ConnectedGreen
Established in 2017, ConnectedGreen provides a smart system for remotely monitoring green projects, enhancing the world with innovative technology. They’ve already deployed over 1,200 sensors in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In the journey towards sustainable and effective landscaping, the significance of soil moisture monitoring cannot be overstated. It’s the key to healthier plants and efficient water usage, ensuring that the landscape thrives even in the harshest conditions.
About Sensoterra
Sensoterra is a pioneering leader in the field of wireless soil moisture sensors, offering cutting-edge IoT soil moisture sensor solutions for smart agriculture. Our state-of-the-art Sensoterra soil moisture sensors are at the forefront of agriculture IoT, providing unparalleled soil moisture monitoring capabilities.
Our commitment to precision agriculture technology allows farmers to make informed decisions, optimize their irrigation systems, and embrace sustainable farming solutions. With Sensoterra, access to real-time soil moisture data is at your fingertips, enabling precise water management and water resource management for your agricultural operations.
Sensoterra, established in 2015, with its headquarters in Houten, The Netherlands, develops water management solutions for agriculture/horticulture, smart city management, and water governance. Sensoterra has over 12,000 sensors in the ground globally, and generates hundreds of thousands of data points for smart water management, daily. Learn more at www.sensoterra.com
Contact for more information, pictures and/or interview requests:
Jessica Nuboer
Marketing & Communications
Sensoterra
Email: [email protected]
