“I believe everyone should be able to grow their own plants at home without having to go through the painful process of learning what does and doesn’t work. I’ve distilled it down to an electronic control system that provides you with the insight you need to get your little green friends growing and thriving. I want to help you learn more about your plants by using the controller and using helpful reminders,” Potter writes.
The system is comprised of three components: an Arduino Nano (ATmega328) based controller and a receiver also built around an Arduino Nano (ATmega328) connected to an nRF module for wireless communication of up to 1,000 feet. The receiver easily syncs via I2C to the Arduino Uno, thereby allowing a user to extend its capabilities with add-on shields like an LCD with buttons to show the status and communicate with any messages as well as an SD card module for data logging.
The Arduino embedded within the controller is programmed with maintaining the ideal environmental conditions for the plants to thrive. For instance, users can regulate the temperature, lighting and humidity within an indoor space, or schedule the delivery of nutrients by automating the pump cycle.
As the Maker notes, the safety and simplicity associated with wireless outlets is a much better alternative to traditional relays. With spring in full swing, are you ready to get planting? “It’s hydromazing!”
