Twitter is a free “micro-blogging” service which allows users to send each other short updates – called “tweets” – on whatever is on their mind. The web-savvy have been using it for everything from looking for a job to avoiding traffic jams.

- The latest use for Twitter solves an age-old problem: remembering to water your plants (www.botanicalls.com/twitter). A plant-Twitter kit consists of a moisture sensor and a small adaptor with an internet connection.

- If the moisture level of the soil drops too low, the device will twitter to your phone, “Water me, please.” If you ignore the message, it gets more insistent: “URGENT! Water me!” The plant will then respond, twittering, “Thank you for watering me,” or if you’ve been overzealous, “You overwatered me.”

- As your friends and family can subscribe to your Twitter feed, they can also be warned of your plant’s imminent death. So if the nagging of your plant isn’t enough, your loved ones can also help to annoy you further.