What Is NFC And How Can It Help In The Garden?
Tuesday, 8th April 2025
You might have seen the term NFC popping up more and more - on payment terminals, smart posters, and even plant labels. But what exactly is NFC, and how can it be used to make gardening easier, smarter, and more rewarding? Let's dig into it.
NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It's a type of wireless technology that allows two devices - usually a smartphone and a small tag or chip - to exchange information when they're very close together (typically just a few centimetres apart).
If you've ever tapped your phone to pay at a shop, unlocked a hotel room with a card, or scanned a smart poster for more info, you've already used NFC without even realising it. Think of NFC like a tiny, touch-free bridge between the physical world and digital information.
In a gardening context, NFC can be used to connect real-world plants to digital records.
Here's how it works: Here at Petals we offer plant labels loaded with tiny, weatherproof NFC chips. When you tap the label with your smartphone, it instantly opens a digital profile for that plant on the Petals platform - no apps to open manually, no QR codes to scan, and no fiddling with tiny writing.
This simple tap, combined with Petals' platform, allows you to record everything from plant care instructions to personal memories, photos, and more.
Forget flipping through books or digging through old notes, you can store a photos of a plant's original care instructions or label, as well as anything else to help you take care of your plants.
2. Track Growth and Seasonal Changes
Easily add photos, notes, and updates about how your plant is progressing year after year - all accessible with a single tap.
3. Preserve Sentimental Memories
Was that hydrangea a birthday gift? Did you plant that rose on your first wedding anniversary? NFC labels let you record these moments so they stay part of your garden's story.
4. Simplify Garden Management
Keeping track of dozens (or even hundreds) of plants can be overwhelming. NFC helps you stay organised without cluttering your garden with oversized or fading labels.
With Petals, you can attach weatherproof NFC labels to your plants and instantly create digital profiles full of care notes, growth records, and cherished memories. Each label links to a page you control - perfect for private tracking or sharing your garden journey online.
NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It's a type of wireless technology that allows two devices - usually a smartphone and a small tag or chip - to exchange information when they're very close together (typically just a few centimetres apart).
If you've ever tapped your phone to pay at a shop, unlocked a hotel room with a card, or scanned a smart poster for more info, you've already used NFC without even realising it. Think of NFC like a tiny, touch-free bridge between the physical world and digital information.
In a gardening context, NFC can be used to connect real-world plants to digital records.
Here's how it works: Here at Petals we offer plant labels loaded with tiny, weatherproof NFC chips. When you tap the label with your smartphone, it instantly opens a digital profile for that plant on the Petals platform - no apps to open manually, no QR codes to scan, and no fiddling with tiny writing.
This simple tap, combined with Petals' platform, allows you to record everything from plant care instructions to personal memories, photos, and more.
4 Ways NFC Can Improve Your Gardening Life
1. Instantly Access Care InformationForget flipping through books or digging through old notes, you can store a photos of a plant's original care instructions or label, as well as anything else to help you take care of your plants.
2. Track Growth and Seasonal Changes
Easily add photos, notes, and updates about how your plant is progressing year after year - all accessible with a single tap.
3. Preserve Sentimental Memories
Was that hydrangea a birthday gift? Did you plant that rose on your first wedding anniversary? NFC labels let you record these moments so they stay part of your garden's story.
4. Simplify Garden Management
Keeping track of dozens (or even hundreds) of plants can be overwhelming. NFC helps you stay organised without cluttering your garden with oversized or fading labels.
With Petals, you can attach weatherproof NFC labels to your plants and instantly create digital profiles full of care notes, growth records, and cherished memories. Each label links to a page you control - perfect for private tracking or sharing your garden journey online.