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Peter,
The best solution imho for gardens is simple programmable timers readily available at hardware stores eg Bunnings. These operate off batteries and do not pose a safety hazard.
My next question is have you considered the consequences when this fails, with the water running ?
240V electricity and water don't play well so beware anything involving voltages above 3v dc.
The standard approach for remotely operated devices is that these things don't communicate directly with the phone. Usual solution is:
Install a proprietary app on iPhone,
iPhone connects to internet,
App communicates with a server in the cloud, operated by the company that manufactures the devices and app,
Server communicates with boxes that switch power, effectively a remote controlled relay.
The manufacturers are all determined to lock you in to their ecosystem and server. There are several downsides too, starting with these things being very vulnerable to hackers, and the whole lot being defunct when the vendor goes titsup - as most of them will.
Sticking proprietary software, the internet, and a server operated by somee company you don't own in between you and any gadget is frankly a really dumb idea. Just because you CAN doesn't make it a Really Good Thing.
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