ScottsMiracle-Gro gets technical

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has scooped up two technology companies to further its Water Positive Landscapes Initiative and connected yard program.

The acquisitions include Blossom, maker of smart water controllers, and PlantLink, which specializes in soil sensors and a smart water valve system.

Both companies will supposedly enhance Scott's position as a provider of smart lawn solutions, specifically through the ability to monitor and control watering levels, adjusting for soil moisture content and the weather forecast.

ScottsMiracle-Gro says it has been looking for ways to innovate in these areas via its Water Positive Landscapes program, which seeks to reduce water waste and inefficiencies.

It previously partnered with Blossom and PlantLink for the early 2016 launch of the Connected Yard, its IoT solution to provide consumers with precision watering and other guidance to achieve healthy lawns and gardens.

Through the acquisitions, ScottsMiracle-Gro says it will invest more resources in Blossom and PlantLink: product development, marketing support and retail channel expansion.

Both companies were previously mostly limited to ecommerce sales. ScottsMiracle-Gro will also make them available in retail stores alongside other ScottsMiracle-Gro products.