Use plants as a first line of defense by building natural buffer zones that slow or stop a threat. Dense, low‑maintenance shrubs or grasses can act as firebreaks, and vines can block sightlines for intruders. Choose native species that are drought‑resistant to keep maintenance low, and plant in a way that creates multiple layers: a hard outer fence, a soft plant barrier, then a final security perimeter. For early warning, consider scent‑oriented plants that release volatile compounds when stressed; a simple sensor can pick up those signals and trigger an alarm. Keep the system simple and redundant—one layer doesn’t replace the other, it just adds a low‑cost, low‑maintenance check.

Sounds solid—just keep the monitoring tight. A small sensor array that tracks volatile release will give you a real‑time read on plant stress. And make sure the herbs aren’t too close to high‑traffic areas, or you’ll have a fragrant alarm every time someone steps through. Balance the scents, check the moisture levels, and you’ll have a low‑maintenance, low‑profile deterrent that also keeps people relaxed.

Good plan—just log the sensor data centrally, so you get a clear alert when moisture drops. Keep the alert thresholds tight, and double‑check the plant spacing so the scent doesn’t overwhelm the perimeter. It’ll give you a quiet warning and still feel like a natural garden.