How to Create a Smart Garden System with Arduino

10.12.2024 - Engine: Gemini

Guide to Building a Smart Garden System with Arduino

Components:

Arduino Uno or compatible board
Moisture sensor
Temperature sensor
Relay
Water pump
Power supply (9V or 12V)
Wires and breadboard

Sensors:

Moisture Sensor:

Detects soil moisture and outputs an analog value.
Example: Capacitance Soil Moisture Sensor

Temperature Sensor:

Measures ambient or soil temperature and outputs digital or analog value.
Example: DS18B20 Digital Thermometer

Watering Control:

Relay:

Switches the water pump on and off.
Example: 5V 1-Channel Relay Module

Water Pump:

Pumps water to the garden.
Example: Mini Water Pump

Wiring:

Sensors:

Connect moisture sensor to analog pin A0.
Connect temperature sensor to digital pin 2.

Relay:

Connect relay coil to digital pin 4.
Connect relay common contact to GND.
Connect relay normally closed contact to water pump.

Power Supply:

Connect power supply to Arduino Vin and GND.

Programming:

Code:

// Sensor calibration
const int moisture_dry = 250;
const int moisture_wet = 1000;
const int temperature_min = 15;
const int temperature_max = 30;

// Arduino pins
const int moisture_pin = A0;
const int temperature_pin = 2;
const int relay_pin = 4;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(relay_pin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Read sensor data
  int moisture = analogRead(moisture_pin);
  float temperature = readTemperature(temperature_pin);

  // Check watering criteria
  bool waterNeeded = false;
  if (moisture < moisture_dry || temperature > temperature_max || temperature < temperature_min) {
    waterNeeded = true;
  }

  // Turn watering on or off
  if (waterNeeded) {
    digitalWrite(relay_pin, HIGH);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(relay_pin, LOW);
  }

  // Print data
  Serial.print("Moisture: ");
  Serial.print(moisture);
  Serial.print(", Temperature: ");
  Serial.println(temperature);

  // Wait 100ms
  delay(100);
}

// Temperature reading function
float readTemperature(int pin) {
  byte data[12];
  OneWire oneWire(pin);
  oneWire.reset();
  oneWire.write(0xCC); // Skip ROM
  oneWire.write(0x44); // Start temperature conversion
  delay(750);
  oneWire.reset();
  oneWire.write(0xCC); // Skip ROM
  oneWire.write(0xBE); // Read scratchpad
  for (byte i = 0; i < 12; i++) {
    data[i] = oneWire.read();
  }
  return data[1] << 8 | data[0];
}

Operation:

Upload the code to the Arduino.
Place the sensors in the garden.
Connect the water pump.
Monitor watering via the serial monitor or LED indicator.

Tips:

Calibrate sensors for your specific garden type.
Adjust the watering intervals based on the needs of your plants.
Use a Wi-Fi or Ethernet shield to monitor and control the garden remotely.