Create Seasonal Routines That Change with the Garden

Discover how to create automated gardening routines that adapt with the seasons.

Posted by Tom Becker on October 02, 2025 · 4 mins read

Create Seasonal Routines That Change with the Garden

Introduction

As the seasons change, so too does our garden. Spring blossoms bring life, summer sun nurtures growth, autumn leaves signal time to harvest, and winter’s chill prompts us to protect our plants. But, managing a garden that varies with the seasons can feel overwhelming. What if you could create automated routines that adapt—ensuring your plants get the care they need, when they need it? Welcome to the world of smart gardening! Using tools like Node-RED, Alexa, and Home Assistant, you can create seasonal routines to keep your garden thriving throughout the year.

Not only will automated routines save you time, but they’ll also enhance your connection to your garden. Join me as we explore how to set up these smart routines step-by-step!

Step-by-step setup guide

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Before we dive in, ensure you have the following:

  1. Node-RED installed on your Raspberry Pi or server (check out Node-RED for installation guidance).
  2. Home Assistant set up to control your smart devices (think smart sprinklers, sensors, etc.).
  3. An Alexa device for voice control integration.

Step 2: Define Your Seasonal Routines

Determine key activities for each season. Here’s a sample outline:

  • Spring: Planting new seeds, starting automatic watering schedules.
  • Summer: Frequent watering, temperature monitoring, and shade control.
  • Autumn: Harvest alerts, preparation for winter.
  • Winter: Frost alerts, garden lights to keep pest away.

Step 3: Create Node-RED Flows

Now, let’s build some Node-RED flows! Here’s how you can start:

  1. Access Node-RED in your browser.
  2. Drag in the required nodes: a time schedule node, a watering controller node, and an Alexa notification node for announcements.

Here’s a simple flow for spring planting:

[{"id":"yourId","type":"inject","z":"yourFlowId","name":"Spring Start","topic":"","payload":"Start planting","payloadType":"str","repeat":"","crontab":"0 8 1 3 *","x":150,"y":100,"wires":[["yourNextNode"]]},{"id":"yourNextNode","type":"alexa-notifyme","z":"yourFlowId","name":"Notify about planting","message":"It's time to plant your spring flowers!","messageType":"text","x":350,"y":100,"wires":[[]]}]

Explanation: This flow triggers a notification every March 1st at 8 AM to remind you to plant spring flowers.

Example – Summer Watering Routine

For summer, you may want a flow to automate watering based on temperature.

[{"id":"tempId","type":"rbe","z":"yourFlowId","name":"","func":"rbe","gap":"","x":120,"y":200,"wires":[["waterId"]]}]

In this example, add a temperature sensor node that triggers the watering controller based on temperature readings.

Step 4: Connecting Alexa

Use Node-RED Alexa integration so commands such as “Alexa, start the summer watering” trigger your routines. Follow these steps:

  1. Install the node-red-contrib-alexa-home-skill node.
  2. Link it to your Node-RED flows, so Alexa can interact with them easily.

Step 5: Testing and Optimization

Always test your flows! Simulate scenarios with Node-RED to ensure everything executes as planned. Adjust timing, notifications, and operations based on your garden’s performance!

Helpful tip block

  • Experiment with Conditions: Set conditions for actions, like watering only if the moisture level is low in the summer.

  • Use Weather APIs: Incorporate real-time weather data to enhance your watering routines.

  • Voice Commands: Create fun and intuitive voice commands with Alexa to simplify daily tasks.

Common issues & troubleshooting

Issue: Node-RED Not Triggering Flows

  • Solution: Check if the nodes are correctly connected and debug using the debug window.

Issue: Alexa Doesn’t Respond

  • Solution: Ensure that your Alexa nodes are correctly set up and that the skill is enabled in your Alexa app.

Issue: Incorrect Weather Data

  • Solution: Verify the API connection and inspect API keys; sometimes, they need to be refreshed.

Final thoughts / conclusion

Embracing smart garden automation means you can focus more on enjoying your garden rather than laboring over it. By setting up seasonal routines that adapt with your garden, you can give your plants the love they need while fitting your busy lifestyle. With tools like Node-RED, Alexa, and Home Assistant, the possibilities are endless!

So, go ahead, get started on your own smart garden journey today. Your plants—and your future self—will thank you for it!

← Previous Post Next Post →