Walk the property at different times of day, noting shadows, glare, Wi‑Fi strength, hose access, soil types, and foot traffic. Capture photos with measurements, tag potential power points, and record seasonal patterns. This shared evidence makes later automation choices calmer, faster, and aligned with daily rhythms.
Favor ecosystems and protocols that welcome devices from many vendors, reducing lock‑in and future regret. Matter, Thread, Wi‑Fi, Zigbee, and reliable bridges each have roles; document why you pick them. Interoperability today prevents expensive rewiring tomorrow and keeps remote schedules, sensors, and scenes working together smoothly.
Plan outlet locations, low‑voltage runs, conduit, and weatherproof boxes before landscaping hardens. Validate breaker capacity, PoE ports, and mesh coverage with actual site tests, not guesses. Label every cable and document photos of buried lines, avoiding mystery outages and needless trenching when expanding later.
Start with conservative baselines, then let the controller adapt based on evapotranspiration, microclimates, and plant maturity. In many regions, adaptive irrigation can cut water use substantially while improving vigor. Logs explain why a cycle ran or skipped, building confidence and teaching better gardening instincts.
Coordinate blinds, awnings, attic fans, and compressors with tariff schedules and sun angles. Pre‑cool before peak rates, then coast with shade and gentle air movement. The yard helps too: misting lines and shade trees reduce demand while keeping porches welcoming and rooms consistently comfortable.
Add flow meters and leak detection to shut off valves quickly, avoiding costly washouts. Soil moisture sensors prevent shallow daily watering that weakens roots. Seasonal audits flushing lines, cleaning filters, and testing zone coverage keep plants thriving and controllers accurate through storms, construction, and playful pets.