Hozelock’s win in the garden care (accessories) category of the Glee New Product Awards was widely predicted, bringing as it does the high-tech world of internet technology to garden watering.

Via an app installed on a smartphone, watering can be controlled remotely by the Hozelock Cloud Controller and Hub connected to the user’s broadband router and activated by a wi-fi signal. It’s programmable, so will operate an automatic watering system.

Adrian Davey, the company’s commercial director, says the product has been enthusiastically received by retailers at Glee. “Advanced technology is widely used in many other areas of life but had not yet reached gardening, until now. People see how it will appeal to the next generation of users but also understand that the majority of gardeners are in older age groups and are used to using technology like this too.”

Although the Cloud Controller and Hub (SRP £114.99) and its sister products, the Sensor Controller (from £35.99) and the Easy Drip system (from £32.99), are premium purchases, Adrian believes they represent good value for money, comparing favourably with other technology purchases.



Above: Hozelock's Adrian Davey on the Cloud Controller display at Glee.