We've seen Arduino applied in a lot of inventive ways in recent years like robotics, lighting, games and now gardening. Horto domi, a new Kickstarter Project, uses Arduino Ethernet to control the temperature of an enclosed, raised-bed garden so that no matter how cold it gets outside, you can grow anything you want all year round.

If you've ever had a mealy, Winter tomato you might be rolling your eyes, but the makers behind Horto domi call the produce it grows "beyond-organic" because it's designed to "maximize the mineral and nutrient value...and minimize environmental contamination risks." The system uses sensors to collect moisture and temperature data both inside and outside the dome, and then adjusts the interior conditions accordingly.

"With minimum Kickstarter funding we can satisfy all the elements necessary for an open hardware publication per the definition provided by FreedomDefined.org/OSHW. However, with additional funding we will be able to pursue further open source innovation, development and publication. We hope that you will feel compelled to support the idea of using contemporary open technology to achieve relative food independence so that we may better address social concerns and the question of greater human destiny."

There's still over a month to go before the Kickstarter campaign ends, and I've got no doubt it'll hit its $10,000 mark. Incentives include your very own DIY Horto domi kit!