Build a Reliable DIY Plant Moisture Sensor with Arduino UNO

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Arduino IDE

About this project

DIY Plant Moisture Sensor

See this project on my website!

This project will calculate the water content of soil around a plant by measuring the dielectric constant (the soil's ability to transmit electricity) and will alert you with a red LED when the plant needs more water or a blue one when it has too much.

You will need to gather these things in order to build this project:

• Arduino UNO or equivalent (x1): https://amzn.to/2DLjxR2
• 220Ω* resistors (for LED) (x3): https://amzn.to/2S2sV5R
• 10kΩ resistor (x1) - brown black orange: https://amzn.to/2S2sV5R
• RGB LED (x1) or 3 different colored LEDs: https://amzn.to/2Fzbusx
• Long Jumper Cables (x2): https://amzn.to/2Q7kiKc
• Jumper Cables (x6): https://amzn.to/2Q7kiKc
• Breadboard (x1): https://amzn.to/2RYqiSK
• Bolts of any size (x2): https://amzn.to/2qWLYTF
• Nuts same diameter as bolts above (x2): https://amzn.to/2qWLYTF

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Step 1: Create Sensor Prongs

You will need to repeat this step twice (once for each prong):

• Begin to tighten the nut around the bolt
• Slide the end of the long jumper cable between the nut and the head of the bolt.
• Keep tightening the nut until you are unable to pull out the jumper cable

Step 2: Create the Circuit

Follow the schematic or the breadboard image - whichever one works better for you. The wires labeled "out" are the two prongs you just created.

Step 3: Upload Code

Copy and paste this code into the Arduino IDE:

int moistPin = 0;
int moistVal = 0;
int tooDry = 150; //set low parameter for plant
int tooWet = 400; //set high parameter for plant
void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop()
{
  moistVal = analogRead(moistPin);
  Serial.println(moistVal);
  int percent = 2.718282 * 2.718282 * (.008985 * moistVal + 0.207762); //calculate percent for probes about 1 - 1.5 inches apart
  Serial.print(percent);
  Serial.println("% Moisture ");
  if (moistVal <= tooDry) {
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Red LED
    digitalWrite(3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }
  else if (moistVal >= tooWet) {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); //Blue LED
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }
  else {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Green LED
  }
  delay(250);
}

Step 4: Place Sensor Prongs

• Insert the prongs you made about 1" to 1.5" apart in soil close to the plant you want to monitor.
• Give the plant a healthy amount of water and open the serial monitor
• It should give you readings around 25 - 30% if you gave it the right amount of water
• If not, try moving the prongs around to get it right (or you just added too much water)

Further Notes:

If this is going outside you will want to put your circuit inside of a Tupperware or other waterproof container to protect it from the elements. Then drill some holes for the sensor wires to come through and add a battery box to power it. Mine is not going outside though, and will be fine without a container.

Code

• Code snippet #1

Code snippet #1Plain text

int moistPin = 0;
int moistVal = 0;
int tooDry = 150; //set low parameter for plant
int tooWet = 400; //set high parameter for plant
void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop()
{
  moistVal = analogRead(moistPin);
  Serial.println(moistVal);
  int percent = 2.718282 * 2.718282 * (.008985 * moistVal + 0.207762); //calculate percent for probes about 1 - 1.5 inches apart
  Serial.print(percent);
  Serial.println("% Moisture ");
  if (moistVal <= tooDry) {
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Red LED
    digitalWrite(3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }
  else if (moistVal >= tooWet) {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); //Blue LED
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }
  else {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Green LED
  }
  delay(250);
}

Schematics