With the fine weather, balconies, terraces and gardens put on their party clothes! And already smell good the little parties between friends around a good table! From the vegetable garden to the connected barbecue, via the musical lamp, the solar watering can or the probe so that you don’t miss any BBQ cooking, “20 Minutes” offers you something to cultivate and give new flavors to your spring reunions.
To season your dishes: Modulo from Ready to grow
Fresh herbs and mini-vegetables grown indoors all year round: this is the principle of the connected indoor garden Modulo of Ready to Push.
The system is based on seed capsules that are floated in a reserve of water, which we watch germinate under their LED ramp, which recreates sunlight. Yum ? The seeds (50 varieties) are organic and of French origin, and the capsules are biodegradable. An application allows you to know everything about their culture but above all to configure the lighting. Allow three to four weeks for the first harvests. 199 euros.
Our opinion : On the wall or placed on a piece of furniture, this garden is easy to maintain and fun, and allows you to enjoy herbs, such as basil or chives. Practical in an apartment! We appreciate its modular side and the possibility of combining several Modulos with each other. An opportunity, too, to show children that plants do not grow in plastic packaging…
To highlight a table: Vappeby speaker lamp from Ikea
Available in blue or beige, the small garden lamp Vappeby silicone and plastic (25 x 17 cm) offers two functions.
First, the light. On battery (autonomy up to 12 hours), it offers ambient lighting whose intensity can be adjusted. Then, the music: Vappeby incorporates a speaker capable of broadcasting sound at 360°. There: two solutions: classic Bluetooth streaming from a smartphone or, if you are a subscriber, direct access to your Spotify stream, thanks to Spotify Tap. This function, which was previously only available on headphones and True Wireless earphones, allows, by pressing a simple button on the lamp, to resume reading Spotify where it was left off. 69 euro.
Our opinion : With its camping lantern look, this designer LED lamp is resistant to dust and splashing water (standard: IP65). Supplied with a USB cable to recharge it (but without a charging block), it unfortunately does not act as a power bank to charge a smartphone.
To water your balcony when you are away: Gardena Aquabloom Kit
No devoted neighbor to water your balcony in your absence? We don’t panic: the kit Aquabloom from Gardena will water your petunias, geraniums and other potted herbs all by themselves.
This watering solution consists of a central unit with integrated pump running on solar energy, a control unit with 14 programs, hoses and self-regulating drippers capable of supplying up to 20 pots, and, optionally a 10.5 liter water tank made from recycled plastics. 139 euro.
Our opinion : We have all already tested the water bottle cut and planted in a flowerpot, supposed to water our plants in our absence. The ace ! This kit (you can substitute a tank or a bucket for its water supply) has two advantages: it does not need to be connected to a tap, nor does it need to be plugged into the mains to operate. And its drip system is the most water-efficient… and the most efficient there is!
For on-the-go BBQs: Weber Traveler
The cooking giant outdoors came up with the idea of a travel gas barbecue, the Traveler.
Behind a name that makes you want to escape, the Traveler is foldable. Measuring 94.5 x 110.8 x 58.4 cm closed (for 28 kg), it moves easily with wheels and fits in the trunk of the car.
To monitor the cooking of its food, Weber has also developed iGrill, a connected probe to be magnetized on the barbecue. It allows, from a smartphone application, to check the good progress of its cooking and to be notified when the food on the barbecue grill is ready. 449 euros. Carrying case: 55 euros. iGrill: from 77 euros.
Our opinion : Burgers, planchas… for all occasions! Weber offers with its Traveler a real barbecue that you can take on a trip (remember to check that its use is authorized where you want to use it!). The appliance’s cooking surface (up to 20 sausages!), its side work surface and its sturdiness are pluses. For its part, the connected probe (sold as an option, and to be reserved for meat lovers!) allows you to take care of your cooking to the nearest degree. Do not forget that small gas cartridges are necessary (from 9 euros each).