EDINBURGH

Bonny Scotland’s capital for a family city-break Edinburgh

by Rebecca Underwood

The Royal Yacht Britannia ©Marc Millar

Edinburgh Castle - courtesy Visit Scotland photographer Kenny Lam

Holyrood Palace - courtesy Visit Scotland photographer Kenny Lam Edinburgh Castle © Crown Copyright HES

The ‘staycation’ is more popular than ever as a direct result of the outbreak of Covid 19 and for families considering a city-break, Edinburgh is the ideal destination. Recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1995, Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town offer visitors an intriguing glimpse into a rich culture and a fascinating history.

I was most fortunate to visit the city prior to the restrictions on the hospitality sector and I checked into the Adagio Aparthotel, located on Cannongate, in Edinburgh’s Old Town on the Royal Mile. This modern property offers first rate levels of comfort and service and features a private car park, a business hub, a fitness centre, and on-site self-service laundry facilities. The fully furnished and air-conditioned accommodations include contemporary double or twin bedded studios measuring 26 square metres and I secured a one bedroom apartment measuring 45 square metres with views across the city. The fully equipped kitchen features a microwave, hob, fridge- freezer, Nespresso coffee maker, kettle and toaster, and every gadget is provided to ensure that busy visitors are able to whip up a time-saving meal.

Alas, my culinary skills are sadly lacking and I headed, post-haste, for Makars Gourmet Mash Bar on Bank Street. This independent, family-owned restaurant is a regular winner of the annual Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award and offers a relaxed dining experience, first class service and promotes local, independent, artisan producers. I ordered the beef haggis with heather honey and turnip purèe and accompanied by a glass of 2019 Aires Andinos Malbec, it was an outstanding dish, served with aplomb.

Back at the Adagio Aparthotel, and after taking advantage of the free unlimited Wifi, I slipped into a deep slumber, followed by a leisurely lie-in, cocooned in the soft duvet on my ultra comfortable bed. Full of beans, after my rejuvenating hot shower, I popped down to the hotel’s reception to collect the ‘Grab and go’ take-away breakfast, which was delivered in a flash. Back in the privacy of my apartment, perched on the plump sofa and catching up on the news, on the large television, I devoured the fresh

Adagio Aparthotel Accommodation

pastries, yoghurt, cereal and fruit, and whilst sipping on my piping hot cappuccino I planned my itinerary for the day.

I decided to take the short stroll along to the magnificent Holyrood Palace, which is the official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and it’s crammed with striking works of art, glittering trinkets, elaborate tapestries and treasures galore. From 1561 to 1567 the palace was home to Mary, Queen of Scots, and the narrow, winding steps of the north-west tower, built almost 500 years ago, lead to Mary’s bedchamber. I was surprised to find the doorway was rather low as although it is known that people were much smaller in the 1500s, Mary was six feet tall. Mary’s tiny supper room is where she witnessed the murder of David Rizzio, her much admired private secretary. On 09 March 1566 Mary’s jealous and arrogant husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, accompanied by a group of Scottish lords, stabbed Rizzio 56 times.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, grandson of the deposed Catholic King James VII of Scotland and II of England, arrived at Holyrood in 1745. He set up court for six weeks during which time elaborate balls, lavish receptions, and extravagant dinners were held. Also known as ‘the Young Pretender’, and supported by his associates, he led a campaign, known as the Jacobite Risings, with the aim of overthrowing King George II and securing the British throne for the House of Stuart. In April 1746 he was defeated at the battle of Culloden by the Duke of Cumberland and the Red Coats and Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to the Outer Hebrides and then to Europe and a life in exile.

Highlights of the self-guided audio tour include the king’s bedchamber, the most lavish room in the palace. Designed for Charles II, it is dominated by the state bed, which has been at Holyrood since at least 1684 and was restored in 1976, swathed in rich scarlet damask to match the original fabric.

The gallery is the largest room in the palace and displays an extensive selection of portraits of Scottish monarchs commissioned by King Charles II. Painted by the Dutch artist, Jacob de Wet, the portraits were delivered between 1684 and 1686 and feature real and legendary kings of Scotland. Today, the gallery is used by Queen Elizabeth II for state banquets, receptions, and to confer investitures for Scottish recipients of orders. Britannia's Grand Staircase © Marc Millar

Another royal residence, and another major attraction, is the Royal Yacht Britannia. Winner of the 2020 Which? Reader’s Award for the UK’s Best Attraction, Britannia is docked at the Ocean Terminal in Leith; only two miles from the centre of Edinburgh. I hopped on a local bus and en route I spotted the delightful Mimi’s Bakehouse, which is located on Shore, within walking distance to the Ocean Terminal. I selected a cosy table by the window and whilst admiring the charming décor I ordered the delicious avocado toast with poached eggs and chilli flakes and whilst sipping on my lavender and lemon homemade soda, I browsed through some literature focused on Britannia.

Britannia was built by John Brown and Co and launched and named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953 in Clydebank. The vessel remained in service for 44 years and sailed the equivalent of a voyage around the world for every year visiting more than 600 ports in 135 countries. Britannia was the ideal spot for a royal honeymoon and Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips all took advantage of the privacy provided and the rare opportunity to sail into secluded destinations. The Queen once stated; ‘Britannia is the one place I can truly relax.’ Alas, the vessel was de-commissioned in 1997 but it is now open to the public and I was immediately enthralled.

Entering the admiral’s quarters and wandering around the bridge and the top deck I was astonished by the lack of space and it must have been difficult for the crew and officers to go about their duties. I wandered onto the lower deck to view the royal accommodations, which are surprisingly sparse, yet functional and cosy without glitz and glamour and then I entered the state dining room, which is the largest and grandest room aboard. This is the spot where Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh entertained world leaders and powerful individuals including Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

Whilst wandering around Britannia’s open decks admiring the views over the briny my appetite was awakened and I hailed a cab and headed for Dine, a chic, multi-award winning brasseriestyle venue, located above the Traverse Theatre on Cambridge Street. I chose the succulent loin of Perthshire venison with potato

Edinburgh Castle © Historic Environment Scotland

fondant, wild mushrooms, quince jelly and celeriac purèe, which was served with savoir faire. And accompanied by the deep and intense flavours of the 2016 Alpha Zeta a Amarone it was an unforgettable dining experience.

Up with the larks the following morning I made my way to Edinburgh’s New Town, which has retained much of the neo-classical and elegant Georgian period architecture, dating between 1767 and 1850. Prince’s Street is the main thoroughfare and I explored the streets behind it, which present grandiose properties with towering Grecian pillars and large windows. The original character of the New Town, which includes cobble-stone roads, sandstone block facades and leafy communal gardens, is very well preserved.

Wandering along Hanover Street I fancied a ‘wee dram’ and popped into Milne’s Bar, which dates back to 1910 and the spot where Scottish literary figures, including Hugh MacDiarmid would gather to discuss politics and the arts in the 20th century. I selected an outside table and ordered a shot of malt whisky to warm my cockles. The enticing aroma of fish n’ chips wafted under my nostrils and I succumbed to the Belhaven beer-battered Atlantic haddock with triple-cooked chips and it was absolutely bursting with flavour.

Keen to indulge in some retail therapy I spent some hours exploring the quirky shops and charming boutiques on Rose Street and the upmarket shops on Multrees Walk. I was easily persuaded to blow my budget when I came upon the most wonderful displays of cashmere jumpers and cardigans, tweeds and tartans galore, the finest kilts and sporrans, and colourful tins of oak cakes and shortbread.

As I strolled along George Street, weighed down with shopping bags, I was delighted to spot the Hard Rock Café. Swiftly escorted to my table, I ordered the deliciously spicy baby back ribs, glazed with barbecue sauce, and I sipped on a rather potent hurricane cocktail, which includes Bacardi superior rum blended with orange, mango, pineapple juice and grenadine, and finished with a float of Captain Morgan dark rum and Amaretto. Exploring the café’s mesmerising collection of memorabilia, I was delighted to see a non-refundable JFK to London air ticket to the value of $750, which was issued to Jimi Hendrix on 20 February 1970, a sombrero, worn by Elvis in the 1963 movie Fun in Acapulco, Mick Jagger’s jacket, worn in 1976, during a performance in Buffalo, and an original poster promoting the 1969 Woodstock concert, which was once displayed on the back of a NY city bus. Feeling slightly tipsy I headed back to my hotel and I regretted that my time in Edinburgh had come to an end. As I passed by Waverly railway station I spotted a lone piper, splendidly attired in his kilt and sporran, and I instantly recognised the wonderful song in remembrance of Bonnie Prince Charlie…..

‘Speed Bonnie Boat, like a bird on the wing, onward, the sailors cry, carry the lad that’s born to be king, over the sea to Skye’

'TOP TIP' ACCOMMODATION

For more information on the featured property and other sites around the world visit adagio-city.com

'TOP TIP' AIRPORT TRANSFERS - CITY CABS EDINBURGH

Avoid the queues and choose a reliable, punctual and well established company with more than 90 years experience. Download the app and track your driver using GPS, confirm, cancel and edit bookings, pay in cash or with a debit/credit card, select vehicle type and set up call backs. For more information visit citycabs.co.uk

'TOP TIP' GETTING AROUND EDINBURGH WITH EASE

With the Lothian Buses Ridacard, the more you travel, the more you save. Take advantage of unlimited travel 24/7 across Edinburgh, Queensferry and in and out of the airport. For more information visit lothianbuses.com/ridacard

'TOP TIP' ATTRACTIONS

For more information on the featured attractions visit royalyachtbritannia.co.uk and rct.uk

For a fun day out for all the family visit Edinburgh Castle. For information visit edinburghcastle.scot And visit Edinburgh Zoo, one of Europe’s leading centres for animal conservation and home to more than 1,000 rare and endangered animals including koala and giant pandas. Visit edinburghzoo.org.

Edinburgh Castle - courtesy Visit Scotland photographer Kenny Lam

By CI Home Care

It may be predictable to reflect on the past year as we head towards Christmas - but after a year like 2020 it’s hard not to! The media spotlight has shone on many parts of life that previously were often overlooked. In this article we focus on one such area - the elderly and their care.

BUT WHAT NEW PERSPECTIVES HAVE WE GAINED?

GRATITUDE towards Carers, including community Carers, seems to be top of the list. The “Clap for Carers” initiative proved hugely popular and was given the Royal seal of approval when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children began to participate. It was especially gratifying for those of us involved in elderly home care to see this initiative expand to recognise all those involved in care – not only Paramedics and hospital health-care staff. After all home care is part of the care continuum. Along with other community services it can help keep people out of hospital or facilitate their early release – leaving hospital beds empty in case needed for covid patients.

THINKING AHEAD about future care needs – especially whether residential or at home – has been another result of the increased media attention on care. In Jersey we are blessed with elderly care choices which mean that the standard of care we receive is not dictated by wealth. Under the island’s Long Term Care scheme (LTC), everyone’s care is delivered by the same choice of home care providers, whether self-funded or covered by LTC. Once needs reach a higher level a person’s choice re staying at home with care or moving into residential care is also respected. The LTC scheme is not simple, but it does offer choice and equality which is to be applauded.

SAFETY has also become a consideration in decisions re elderly care. Happily in Jersey we were spared the horror stories reported elsewhere of covid running rampant through residential care settings. But such stories have had an impact and enquiries for Live-in Carers i.e. full time care in a person’s own home, have increased.

Finally, the use of TECHNOLOGY has been revisited by many elderly people who had previously dismissed “those gadgets” as ”just for the young”. If you have elderly relatives who are still resisting technology we urge you to try again. Who knows how this Christmas will shape up? If your elderly relative has a Carer see whether they can help. Even if you have to pay for a little extra call time your care agency may well have surplus minutes in their mobile package and the Carer will be thrilled to help put a smile on the face of their client by showing a glimpse of children and grandchildren by the tree.

However your Christmas shapes up we wish you joy and health. And please spare a thought for all the Carers – and Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, hospital Cleaners and Porters, Paramedics and everyone who will be working on Christmas Day to keep us and our loved ones safe.

Simply call Nicola or Emma on 01534 883 886 for further information or to arrange a no obligation informal chat.

 Live-in care specialists  Hourly home care enquiries welcomed  Overnight and respite care also available  Registered with the

Jersey Care Commission  Flexible, consistent and friendly care

HOW TO ENTERTAIN OUTDOORS THIS Autumn

Patios, gazebos, and the roar of an open flame will all help keep you happy and social, says Luke Rix-Standing...

Rarely have we appreciated a summer so little, and yet been sadder to see it go. For all the horrors of the pandemic and its accompanying lockdowns, safe socialising in warm weather was a doddle compared to what lies ahead.

A socially-distanced walk in the park, a carefully constructed outdoor dinner, a well-regulated beer garden – all could be performed in relative safety. Now winter is wrapping the nation in its icy grip, and even the most well-fortified beer blanket can struggle against a cold night.

But there is – and always has been – plenty to like about winter. The long, dark evenings lit by fire or candlelight, the restorative qualities of mulled wine and cocoa, the cloud of mist that accompanies every breath. Winter is beautiful, even if it makes you work for it.

Here’s how to perfect your patio and host outside your home, making sure a sociable summer doesn’t become a winter of discontent…

BUNDLE UP

OK, so we’re starting off really simple here, but it is astonishing how often, and how badly people underdress. We’re instinctively unwilling to break longstanding sartorial rules, and the idea or wearing two T-shirts or two jumpers just seems somehow wrong.

Leave all those tropes behind and wear everything you physically can, because if you’re sitting still, the cold will creep into your bones through the tiniest chink in your armour. If you’re too warm, you can take something off, but if you’re too cold, you’re going to be miserable.

Warn your guests to wear lots of extra layers, because market research suggests that, if left to their own devices, they probably won’t. Consider investing in some furry blankets that you can dole out for extra hosting points – preferably the sort that can then go straight in the washing machine.

SNUG AS A BUG

Heating of some sort is a must for al fresco dining outside of summer, and there are various ways of transporting some hygge from your front room to your patio. Glowing coals and real flame both lend a lovely back-to-nature feel, and turn an outdoor evening setting into something special.

Fire pits can be run on gas or filled with wood or charcoal, or you can opt for a brazier or even a kettle barbecue. Charcoal needs to be lit some 45 minutes before you need it, then guests will arrive to a warm, welcoming glow from the get-go.

If live fire isn’t your thing, there are plenty of outdoor heaters. Those not mains connected mostly run on bottled gas and aren’t hugely eco-friendly, and the most effective options (like those that frequent pub courtyards) are pretty pricey. If it’s your only option for safe socialising, you may consider it worthwhile regardless.

RAIN RAIN, GO AWAY…

BYOB does not stand for bring your own brolly, and if rain is forecast, you need a proper covering. Covered patios are mana from heaven, but difficult to arrange on the fly, so opt instead for an awning, or better yet, a gazebo.

A roof with no sides is almost as Covid-safe as being out in the open, and will protect you from all but the most horizontal rain. Pop-up, four-pole gazebos are widely available, easy to set up, and pack down into a simple carry bag. A classic three by three metre unit is large enough for four to six people, with at least a metre distancing in between.

LENGTHENING EVENINGS

Lunchtime may be easier for out-of-season al fresco entertaining, because no matter how dry or warm you are, by 6.30pm, you may not be able to see. Fire pits and braziers may offer the flickering light of the fireside, but for an ordinary evening, some sort of artificial lighting is a must.

Plug-in lanterns and spotlights are common and easy to hook up, while wall-mounted outdoor lamps come in a range of styles, and can mostly be installed without tradespeople spending too long inside your home.

Consider using directed, accent lighting to illuminate your patio and table, while leaving the space around you delightfully dark and mysterious, or running fairy lights through trees for peak festivity. If you can’t use the mains, rechargeable lanterns are generally cheap and should easily last the evening, while solar-powered lights can brighten your garden by night and juice up during the day.

PICK YOUR SPOT

If the outside of your home isn’t suited to socialising, you should be able to transpose your setup to a winter picnic. Chances are you can’t bring the brazier, but blankets, a pop-up gazebo, fully charged lamps and filled thermoses should easily fit in the back of a car. Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle, but these days, we’ll do that and more for a change of scene.

COSY AND STYLISH WAYS TO TRANSFORM OR UPDATE YOUR DECOR

Creating homely havens that are comforting and inspiring has never felt so important. Gabrielle Fagan asks five experts to share their favourite looks...

With temperature’s dropping and nights drawing in, our homes need to be cosy sanctuaries – but don’t let them get left out in the cold style-wise. It can be hard to choose from the rich harvest of decor trends and fashions at this time of year though. So, to make it easier, we asked five interiors experts for their favourite looks. Design gurus at leading interiors destinations Made.com, Rockett St George, Barker & Stonehouse, Heal’s, plus Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen all share their insights on transforming rooms and adding those special touches. Take your pick from maximalism versus moody, Nordic-inspired fab functionality (ideal for hard-working homes), full-fat glamour, contemporary classic, plus pattern and a dollop of British eccentricity…

MADE.COM: TALE OF TWO STYLES

Maximalism and a fresh take on Scandi are vying for our attention, says Ruth Wassermann, Made’s design director. “We’ve seen a growing popularity for maximalism, especially on Instagram and Pinterest,” she enthuses. “For our ‘Luxe Maximalist’ trend, we’ve taken a ‘more is more’ approach with our collection, which is inspired by Seventies disco nights and art deco patterns. It’s about creating a boutique hotel feeling at home.” The mix of architectural references and totem motifs in colourful textiles and statement lighting, she explains, is all brought alive by a palette of rich pink, teal and red, and brass and marble accents for an uber-opulent feeling. If that’s all too full-on for your taste, there’s an alternative pared-back look which is equally popular – a refresh of simple Scandi style but with a moody, dark palette. “We’re spending a lot more time in our homes now, and the twilightinspired ‘Nordic Move On’ trend is more of a calming autumnal approach,” explains Wassermann. “Natural materials, dark finishes and our softest sofa ever come together to create a peaceful space, for those who prefer to keep their interiors more minimal.”

ROCKETT ST GEORGE: WORK THE SPACE

With our homes doubling as our offices nowadays, we’re going to become ever more imaginative about transforming them into distinctive spaces, predicts Lucy St George, co-founder of trendy interiors destination, Rockett St George. “With the kitchen and living room transformed from social spaces into productive home offices or home-schooling spaces, 2020 has proven that our homes need to be more flexible than ever before,” she says. “With this in mind, I think prioritising positivity, function and wellbeing will be a priority for both upcoming trends and future home design.” Your home’s personality should still shine through, St George insists, and introducing quirky accessories and playful final touches to your home office is a wonderful way to bring the whole of your interior together and create a cohesive scheme. “It’s about blurring the boundaries in our spaces with more imaginative decor and furniture choices, so they become more versatile,” she explains.

BARKER & STONEHOUSE: GO FOR GLAMOUR

It’s time to embrace bold colour, voluptuous velvets and charismatic curves says Claire Hornby, head of creative for furniture store group, Barker & Stonehouse.

“The number one design rule of the ‘Glam Boutique’ trend is don’t shy away from impact,” urges Hornby. “This look celebrates a marriage of opulent metallic finishes paired with bold regal shades of blues, burnt oranges and rustic red tones.” Her advice for nailing the look? “Don’t hold back. Think sumptuous, rich textures, lavish details and luxurious accents that exude opulence. Be decisive about your colour palette,” Hornby adds. “We’ve sampled an array of strong jewelled tones.”

HEAL’S: CHOOSE TIMELESS STYLE

Celebrating classic design in a contemporary living area conjures a look that never goes out of fashion, says Elena Paparozzi, furniture buyer at Heal’s. “This season and beyond, it’s about creating an inviting yet sophisticated space, which gives a contemporary nod to nostalgic design and blends beauty with practicality for a truly timeless appeal,” Paparozzi advises. “The challenges of this year have proven just how important it is to surround yourself with pieces you love, and we’ve seen a much greater appreciation for timeless designs that will be the heirlooms of the future and really do last a lifetime.” Practicality, style and comfort all lie at the heart of great design, Paparozzi says, and she predicts the emergence of ever more cleverly crafted solutions in response to the new ways we are using our homes.

LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN: PLAY WITH PUNCHY PATTERN

Go wild with your own taste, urges flamboyant decor guru and master of the frill and flourish, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. “My big mission, ever since I first appeared on TV’s Changing Rooms 25 years ago, has been to make people understand they can and should do what they want with their homes,” says Llewelyn-Bowen, who’s just announced he will return to Channel 4’s revival of the Nineties home makeovers show.

“I’m thrilled we’re turning our backs on ‘cookie cutter’ decor solutions that we’ve been rather lazily embracing, and actually doing things much more expressively. It means eccentricity may return to British homes. We’re mad as pants – and our homes should reflect that!”

AN EASY GUIDE TO SETTING UP A 

Not sure how to elevate your space to be smarter? Sam Wylie-Harris seeks some expert advice...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know smart devices are redefining our homes.

And, as long as you have strong internet coverage, it’s time to reset the spaces we live in – which will ultimately make life easier. But at first glance, this can be daunting to the technophobes among us.

“Knowing where to start can be the hardest part, but with a little guidance, anyone can do it,” says Matthew Currington, technical director at The Lighting Superstore.

To help, Currington has put together an easy guide to creating your very own smart home…

FIRST THINGS FIRST, YOU NEED STRONG WI-FI

All smart devices will be affected by the internet coverage in your house, so the first thing to do is to ensure your home has a strong Wi-Fi connection.

CHOOSE A SMART HOME ASSISTANT

A virtual assistant is the natural first step in creating a smart home. With a vast range available on the market, you can select one that meets your individual needs.

Each product has its own benefits. From informing you on the weather and blasting out music on demand, to more advanced settings such as controlling the lighting and heating.

If this isn’t enough to sell you on the prospect of a virtual assistant, the products can monitor your work commute, keeping you up to date with any changes, audibly run through recipes with you step by step and finally create, edit and remind you of events on your calendar.

The assistants listen to your instructions on command and can be set up to operate many elements around the home.

PLUG IN A SMART PLUG

Setting up a smart home on a budget is easily done and all you need is smart plugs. They can turn your regular appliances into smart devices without completely re-wiring your home or buying brand new appliances.

You can then also connect your smart plug to your smart speaker, so you can control your appliances with voice commands. This is a good way of trying-before-you-buy, before taking the plunge and swapping to completely savvy products.

SMART LOCKS THAT WORK WITH ALARMS AND DOORBELLS ARE A SAFE BET

Setting up smart security and safety features in the home can seem overwhelming, but can – in the end – make your life easier.

Smart locks can reduce the worry of forgetting your key with some models allowing you to operate the lock remotely through an app.

The pairing of a smart lock and video doorbell allows you to not only feel safer in the home, but also know who is at your door and talk to them in real-time, wherever you are. continues overleaf...

They alert homeowners on their phone via an app where video surveillance and recordings can be found, as well as working much like a traditional doorbell.

SMART LIGHTING IS MUCH MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Smart lighting is not only one of the most affordable smart home features, but they can also be quite easy to set up. Their functions range from scheduling your lights to turn on or off at specific times, and can even make the house look naturally occupied while you’re away.

Once put in place, you just need to connect them to your smart phone via an app, after that, you can control the lights as and when you see fit.

Most smart bulbs consume less energy than regular light bulbs, making them more energy-efficient and financially-friendly in the long run.

SMART THERMOSTATS LET YOU CONTROL THE HEATING VIA THE INTERNET

Smart thermostats are not only useful, but could help you save an average of 31% on your heating costs. Easy to operate, the device establishes a schedule for the home’s temperature, according to when you and your family will need it.

On top of your cost monitoring, the product detects when you and your family are home, so if you forget to turn off the heating, have no fear, your smart thermostat has your back.

SMART GARDEN TECHNOLOGY CAN WATER YOUR PLANTS AND MOW THE LAWN, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE AWAY

For those of us lucky enough to have a large garden, it can be time consuming to manage. Grass and plants can be fickle if not given enough TLC, so smart sprinklers can be extremely helpful for those with a lot of square footage to cover.

For those with an even bigger budget, the smart lawn mower is a new, exciting gadget that could halve your gardening routine. You’ll never need to worry about out-of-control lawns, as these robots self-operate and keep your garden constantly trim. If you want to, however, you can control them from your phone and track them through its GPS.