You are on page 1of 12

PROJECTS: GARDUINO

makezine.com/18/garduino

THE GARDUINO
GARDEN
CONTROLLER

Photograph by Michael T. Carter

By Luke Iseman

90

Make: Volume 18

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

GEEKED-OUT
GARDENING


 
 

 






 
 
  


 
  



 
 


 


% ! !!
  !%#   %
# %'  % !!  
#! !! "  
 !#  %"
   !!$" 
     !"&
 !
 !! ! $ # #
 %!

Set up: p.93

Make it: p.94

Use it: p.101

Luke Iseman !!#! ! !  


!  $
 "  

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

Make:

91

GIFA<:KJ1>8I;L@EF

D@:IF:FEKIFCC<I$8JJ@JK<;>8I;<E@E>
?fnk_\8i[l`efXkk\e[jkfpfligcXekj\m\ipe\\[%
+
,

.
*
((

((

.
)
('
(

( I\cXpjc\kpflZfekifc
8:gfn\ic`^_kjXe[
gldgj n`k_k_\8i[l`ef%

?\i\n\i\Zfekifcc`e^
gfn\ikfk_\gldgn`k_X
i\cXpn`i\[kfk_\8i[l`ef%
)

* K_\i\cXpjZfee\Zkkf
fli8i[l`efn`k_[`f[\jkf
gi\m\ek`k]ifd]ip`e^%

0)

DXb\1Mfcld\(/

+ K_\id`jkfi1i\j`jkXeZ\
Z_Xe^\jn`k_k\dg\iXkli\%

. >Xi[l`efZ`iZl`kYfXi[
8i[l`ef"j\ejfij %

, K_\j\n`i\jc\X[kf
eX`cjjklZb`ek_\jf`c1fli
df`jkli\j\ejfi%I\j`jkXeZ\
Y\kn\\ek_\eX`cj#k_ifl^_
k_\jf`c#Z_Xe^\jn`k_jf`c
df`jkli\%

/ K_\>Xi[l`efkliejfe
k_\lfi\jZ\ekc`^_kkf
dXb\jli\k_\gcXekji\Z\`m\
k_\i`^_kXdflekf]c`^_k
(-_flij[X`cp %K_\g_fkf$
Z\ccgclj8i[l`efd\Xjli\
_fndlZ_eXkliXcjlec`^_k
`ji\Z\`m\[Xe[kliefek_\
jlggc\d\ekXcc`^_kjkfdXb\
lgXep[`]]\i\eZ\%

G_fkfZ\cc1i\j`jkXeZ\
Z_Xe^\jn`k_c`^_k`ek\ej`kp%
-

0 K_\YcXZb`ii`^Xk`fe
klY`e^_Xjk`ep_fc\jk_Xk
XccfnnXk\ikfi\XZ_k_\
gcXekjn_\ek_\gldg`j
klie\[fe%
(' K_\gldg`jjlYd\i^\[
`eXYlZb\kf]nXk\i%
(( Fi[`eXip^XcmXe`q\[
eX`cjXi\lj\[kfj\ej\
jf`cdf`jkli\%

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

@ccljkiXk`feYpK`ddpBlZpe[X

@E;FFI>8I;<E

SET UP.







($!!&23<:;94/-=38?96?/<><381/6/-=;3-3=B8/+;@+=/; (/;/-977/8.-988/-=381=9+9>=6/=

&$%
66/6/-=;983-<-+8,/
:>;-2+</.+==2/ +5/;
%2/.7+5/;<2/. -97
+8.+7/-94+7/-9 -97
+8./?/;B=2381/6</-+8,/
09>8.+=B9>;69-+62+;.
@+;/<=9;/ %//7+5/C38/
-97

1+;.>38909;
.3;/-=6385<=9:>;-2+</
=2/:+;=<98638/ &9=+6-9<=
38-6>.381=2/;.>389@+<
+,9>= 

'.2.&0 /'!7#0.6$++

)*;.>38973-;9-98
=;966/;31$# -0#3(-.
3$,(+ -.4$!32 -71'.3+#
5.0*
)*3;->3=,9+;..3
" -/ "*$4$072'(-&.-2. 
0.2.'($+#1'.5-.-/0$4(
.31/ &$ -# 4 (+ !+$ 22'$
 *$0'$#!322'$%.++.5(-&
/ &$11'.5 1.+#$0+$11
!0$ #!. 0#%.0"+ 0(27

)*"7;98 ;/6+B< 

)!"&%"(!*

)* ! .39./< 

#6+<=3-73654>1<%.0/+ -2
(-&(-1$ 1, -7 17.38#
+(*$31$# !.32


)* ;/<3<=9;%.02'$
)*%=+8.+;.-77.38#
31$5(2' -0#3(-.5(++#.

6/+;:6+<=3-<=9;+1/
-98=+38/;< 1+6.38++
-$$# %.0$4$07,(+*)3&1

)*#29=9-/66
)* 5=2/;73<=9;
)* 1+>1/@3;/<963.
-9;/+8.<=;+8./.
</?/;+60//=
)* 5;/<3<=9;<
)*+6?+83C/.8+36<
D6981 

;3-5<9;9=2/;<:+-/;<2.
0 (1$2'$,(+*)3&1 2+$ 12
.%%2'$!.22.,.%2'$!(-
.38++-$$# !.32%.0$ "'
12.0 &$".-2 (-$0
%//.</0$%$0 !+7%.02'(-&1
7.38#+(*$2.$ 25(11"' 0#
(1 -$ 1712 02$0/+ -2
06>9;/<-/8=6312=
03A=>;/

%93673A=>;/31$#$+81
(6 10$".,,$-#$#(-$+
 02'.+.,$581 Square Foot
Gardening2".-1(121.%1 3
/$ 2,.111 3". 01$4$0,("3
+(2$ -#1 3,(6$#".,/.12
5(2'2'$,(6$#".,/.12".,
(-&%0., 2+$ 12#(%%$0$-2
1.30"$1.3" -31$5' 2$4$0
5.0*1%.07.30/+ -21
6/+8@+=/;:>7:1, ++
"'$ /.-$(1%(-$31$#
,(-(13!,$01(!+$/3,/
%0., 0!.00$(&'2(2$,
 
 4 (+ !+$.-+(-$ 2
555' 0!.0%0$(&'2".,
3-;9<9+5/;29</53= +1.
%0., 0!.00$(&'2(2$,

07.3" -31$!(*$
(--$023!$1 -#/.*$'.+$1

)*'%-+,6/
) */A=/8<398-9;.< 

06>9;/<-/8==>,/E1;9@
6312=F31$#2'$22(2$!32
-723!$, 0*$2$#%.0/+ -2
&0.52'1'.3+#!$%(-$

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

1+6,>-5/=
>88/631$# "32,(+*)3&

+5/



PROJECTS: GARDUINO

makezine.com/18/garduino

MAKE IT.

HOOK UP YOUR
MICROCONTROLLER
GARDEN
>>

Time: A Weekend Complexity: Moderate

START

!"+)*(#,"+&","(-+(*"*+,*-"'(-'*,$"'
*(&&'(&)%,"' ,%+,,!"*+,/
%++('+('*-"'(,-,(*"%(*,,&),"' ,!"+
!*2+ *,(',%0
', %*' *-"'(

1. PLANT YOUR GARDEN


)*(-,0(-*++(*)%',"' ,!&(*-0+,*,)%',+
)%',.*",0(. ,%+"'&"%$
#- +/",!,!,()+-,(/",!!(%+"',!(,,(&,(%%(/*"' '+-**(-'"' )%+,"+,(* 
(',"'*,(,!/,*+",*"'(-,

2. MAKE MOISTURE SENSORS


2a. -, )"+(/"*! %(' '+,*")(,!'+

2b. *) '(!/"**(-',!!(!'"%



2c. (.*,!/"* '"%('',"('/",! '*(-+&(-',
(+(%*

(-',%%/!'0(-*+("%'+/,*0&+-*"' ,!*+"+,',/',! '"%++,-$"',!"*,



!&(*/,*"',!+("%,!&(*('-,".","+

3a. ('',/"*,/' *(-'('0(-**-"'(',! *(-'1(%-&'('0(-**(*



(-2%%-+,!"+(%-&'(',!*(*+ *(-'(*,!*+,(,!"*-",

3b. ('',/"*,/'('0(-**-"'(',!)(+",".(%-&'('0(-**(*
(-2%%
-+,!"+(%-&'+,!)(+","..(%, ('',"('(*,!*+,(,!"*-",

94

Make: (%-& 

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

!(,( *)!0-$+&'

MOISTURE SENSORS
3. CONNECT
TO THE ARDUINO

&Connect one of the moisture sensors to +5V on the


breadboard.
'Connect the other moisture sensor to a new row on
the breadboard.
(Connect a 10k resistor to the same row as the moisture
sensor and also to a new row.
)Connect a wire from analog input 0 on your Arduino to the
same row as the resistor and moisture sensor.
*Connect the other end of the resistor (in the new row)
to ground.

 ! ! ! 

$
 10k
 Photocell

(2(83+064+(2'5,/0831,/3&0//(&4
404+(%2'5,/0833(/30232(.%73%/'


$

 
 "

 Thermistor

220
 1N4004

 "

"
!

  











# 





 

Illustrations by Gerry Arrington

 "




 

$



=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

%-(

PROJECTS: 
 

makezine.com/18/garduino


  
 "!!! !"  $ %!%" "!"!!!
 ! !$ !&
"%"!"! !!!
 !"#" "'
$!%(!!"! !"#" "
 .&+ ,%/*+).&+(
(+!%&&(.&+%*&&%%*!*,!!*) #*&.&+(&$'+*(* %
#+% * 
(+!%&,#&'$%*''#!*!&%(&-%#&*(+!%&%*(* &%* %+'#&!**&
* &(#** )(!#$&%!*&(*&)* &+*'+*

 
int moistureSensor = 0;
int lightSensor = 1;
int tempSensor = 2;
int moisture_val;
int light_val;
int temp_val;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); //open serial port
}
void loop() {
moisture_val = analogRead(moistureSensor); // read the value from the moisture-sensing probes
Serial.print("moisture sensor reads ");
Serial.println( moisture_val );
delay(500);
light_val = analogRead(lightSensor); // read the value from the photosensor
Serial.print("light sensor reads ");
Serial.println( light_val );
delay(500);
temp_val = analogRead(tempSensor); // read the value from the thermistor
Serial.print("temp sensor reads ");
Serial.println( temp_val );
delay(1000);
}



" "

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

5. ADD THE LIGHT SENSOR


5a. %&'#""''$#'# '#"*%#*&#"'%#%
5b. #""'*%'*"#"%#*'''$#'# '#(&
"'$#&')# (!"
5c. #""'%&&'#%'#'#'%%#*'''$#'# 
'#(&"'#"*%#*
5d. #""'*%'*"'$#'# %&&'#%%#*"
" #"$('#"+#(%%("#
5e. #""''#'%"#'%&&'#%'#%#("
5f. &'+#(% '&"&#%+#""'"+#(%%("#'#+#(%
#!$('%"!#"'#%"'&% #('$('!&(%'
# #*") (&
 "%'&(" 
 !"'"##% ''"'

 !"'"##% ''"'*'
  "&'"&#*#)%'&"&#% 

6. CONNECT THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR


6a. #""'''%!&'#%'#"*%#*&#"'%#%
6b. #""'*%'*"#"%#*''''%!&'#%'#(&
"'#'$#&')# (!"
6c. #""'' &'#'%&&'#%&'#'#'%%#*'
'%!&'#%'#(&"'#"*%#*
6d. #""'*%'*"''%!&'#%%&&'#%%#*"
" #"$('#"+#(%%("#
6e. #""''#'%"#'%&&'#%'#%#("
6f. &'+#(%'!$%'(%&"&#%+#""'"+#(%%("#'#
+#(%#!$('%"!#"'#%"'&% #('$('!&(%'
# #*") (&
 ,
 , 

,
 , 
=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

Make:

97

PROJECTS:  

makezine.com/18/garduino


     
 
+22"2+-'2&/%/%"%"14(&#/"-.+0--"(4."/0,.%"."2&((/0-*/%"(&$%/.*!,0),.+**!+##
&*-".,+*."/+%+0-.+#.0*(&$%/-" "&1"!*!.+&()+&./0-"
0/#+0-
("*$/%.+# $0$"2&-"*!./-&,+##" %
"*!
++'/4+0-"3/"*.&+* +-!8.,(0$+*",-+*$&.(-$"-/%*
/%"+/%"-,(&//%" 2&-".+#/%" +-!,-//%"* 0//%"2&-"
/%/-0*./+/%".)(("-,-+*$*!./-&,
+##" %.&!"
"(**,.#*#+,"('.#,"(-,*#!+*-''#'!&('!#,+
&'!," ('0,.(**/# /(--,(,".#*+/(-'$-+,+)&#,"
(,"*.#*%,(!,"*

+(!"- $0$"2&-"/+" %.&!"+#/%".,(&/ +-!2&-"


+(!"-/%" $0$"2&-"/%/-0*./+/%""3/"*.&+* +-!8.
-" ",/ ("/+/%"(+2"--&$%/("!+#/%"-"(4&/.%+0(!"
("("!6 7+*/%"+//+)+#/%"-"(4
+(!"-/%" $0$"2&-"/%/-0*./+/%""3/"*.&+* +-!8.
,(0$/+/%")&!!("("#/("!+#/%"-"(4("("!6
7

!-,+/% +**" /&+*./+/%""3/"*.&+* +-!&*"(" /-& (


/,"+-%"/.%-&*'/0&*$+*$-/0(/&+*.4+081" +),("/"!
4+0--"(4 +-!."/0,
"","//",.5$2&/%*+/%"--"(4*!"3/"*.&+* +-!
/+ -"/"/%"." +*!-"(4 +-!."/0,



%+(0)"


=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

%+/+$-,%44!-+3"((+//+),%+/+$-,%40'".")*

 +**" / $0$"2&-"/+" %+#/%" +/%"-("!.+*/%"


("#/.&!"+#/%"-"(4("("!6 7*!6 7,/&+*((44+0 *
+1"-/%"-"(48.+//+).&!"2&/%%+/$(0"/+./-"*$/%"*((
 +**" /&+*.

8. CONNECT RELAYS AND AN LED TO THE ARDUINO


8a. )((-)() 2).+#),-)
.(.,+)0,)(-"
+)+
8b. )((--")--)'& -&*#(
) 2).++&2&))%#(!-
#- +)'-"-)*0#-"-"&,)0(-)-"*),#-#/&) 2).+
#)4-"(-"-),()-"/()(#-

to extension cord

5
1

Relay 1
2

8c. )((--".**+& -&*#( ) 2).++&2-)-"(!


-#/&) -"#)4-"('+%0#-"(
8d. )((-0#+-0(!+).()(2).++.#()(-"
!+).()&.'()(2).++)+# 2).5+.,#(!-",'
+)+ )++&2,(,(,)+,$.,-.,-"!+).()&.'(
2).5/&+2+-
8e. )((--"+)0)(-#(#(!-"(!-#/&) 2).+#)
-"(0#-"-"((-".**+& -&) 2).++&2-)
#!#-&#(*.-).-*.- )(2).++.#()
8f. )((--"*),#-#/&) -"#)-)2).+!+).()&.'(
"-5,#- )+)((-#(!-" #+,-+&2
8g. )0")),
(0.(.,+)0,(+*--*, 3 -)
)((--",)(#)(+&2,2).#-" #+,-1*-
-"#,)(!),-)#!#-&#(*.-).-*.- )(2).++.#()
8h. )((--"

+,#,-)+-)
.(.,+)0,)((--"
5,&)(!&!-)#-"+() -"+,#,-)+(#-,,")+-&!
3-)!+).()((--")-"+() -"+,#,-)+-)#!#-&
#(*.-).-*.-
)(2).++.#()

")-)!+*"2#"&+-+

9. SET UP THE LIGHTING SYSTEM


(,2,-*"+ -+"%#(!-"-2).+&#!"- #1-.+#,0)+%
#(!*&.!#-#(-)-"+&2)+-"-0#&&)(-+)&#-,#'*&2+,-
-" #1-.+)(-)*) -").-+*&,-##(,.- & +-)!-
(2*-#'.'#,-( +)'-", &.)+,(-, )+-"&#!"-
#(-(,#-22).0(-#,$.,- 0#(",,)'%,.+2).!-
-"'.*&),*+,)(&($.,-&,-"*&(-,!+)0

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

Make:

99

PROJECTS:
 

makezine.com/18/garduino

  

+152!#+03% !2.%!04+"+,0%+*/$!.!!.!5/$+3)%*!3+.'/
 /)((,1),%//1)!.#! %*
#(1'!030!./+1.!
 .!(4+*0.+((! 4)+%/01.!/!*/+./0%20!/0$!,1),0+
)+2!30!.".+)0$!1'!00+)%('&1#"1**!(
 .2%04)+2!/30!.".+)0$!"1**!( +3*0+0$!/+'!.
$+/!/3$%$ .%,%*0+0$!,(*0/
1/! )%*%/+'!.$+/!'%0".+).+..!%#$0++(/0+
//!)(!.%*#/0$0 .%,%*0+((0$!,(*0+*0%*!./"4+1
)'!/!01,(%'!0$%/!/1.!0+!(!20!0$!1'!0+*.0!
+./+)!0$%*#!(/! )+2%*#30!.%*$!/%*/0! +""!!02!.0%((4
3%((#.!0(4.! 1!0$!/0.%*+*4+1.,1),
%*%0%((40.%! 1/%*#&1/0/,.%*'(!.2(2!)+1*0! 0+0$!+00+)
+"1'!03%0$+100$!,1),10#.2%04,.+2% ! +*(4!*+1#$
,.!//1.!"+.0$!/(%#$0!/00.%'(!0$+1#$0+10+**!0%*#
0$!/,.%*'(!.2(2!.%#$0%*0+)4,(1)%*#103+..%! 0$00$!
$(+.%*!+*0!*0+"30!./0.%#$0".+)0$!"1!03+1( ! 
"+.)4,(*0/$(+.%*!!2,+.0!/".+)30!.3%0$%*/+)!0$%*#
(%'! $+1./
!00!.2!./%+*+"0$%/3+1( !0+1/!1'!0/3%0$30!.
+)%*#".+)/,.%*'(!.2(2!+**!0! 0+$+1/!,(1)%*#
#+%*#%*0++*!1'!0!%*#$!( 0$!.! ,(1/$+1./* 0$!*
)+2%*#%*0+0$!/!+* ,(*0"!! %*#1'!0

/0(44+1*!! 0+,.+#.)4+1.. 1%*+0+.1*0$!#. !*


!1/!0!),!.01.!* /+%()+%/01.!.! !(03%0$/
+*/0*0/%!(34/01.*+*0$!%"0!),!.01.!%/!(+3
!.0%*2(1!(34/01.*+*0$!30!.%")+%/01.!%/!(+3
!.0%*2(1!0$!45.!/%),(!0+ !(3%0$
%#$0%/)+.!+),(%0! 4+13*00+'!!,0.'+"$+3
)1$(%#$04+1.,(*0/.!#!00%*#/+0$0*01.((%#$0,(1/
/1,,(!)!*0((%#$0(34/!-1(/+,0%)1)(%#$00%)!%*)4
/!$+/! $+1./ %(4+ +0$%/1/! 0$!DateTime
. 1%*+(%..4

  

 


+(1)!

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd

$+0+#.,$44%$!(.0!.


 
 

USE IT.

   

  


 





&#!(6,2/0##"-!(#106,203#"1&#*/'%&1 
1,0##&,4*+64##(02+1')6,2/-)+100&,2)" #
/#"6$,/&/3#0121",+81 #02/-/'0#"'$1&#68/#
/#"60,,+#/1&+1&1$1&#60##*1, #%/,4
'+%1,,0),4)6!&#!(6,2/41#/'+%+")'%&1'+%
/,21'+#0

",+81#5-#!11&'0 #1/"2'+,1,%#1#3#/6,+#
%/"#+'+%+"03#1&#4,/)" 1&180+#5#/!'0#$,/
/#"#/01,0,)3#4'1&1&#'/'*-/,3#*#+1021&#/#
/#0,*#'+'1')'"#0


 
0!2//#+1)6'*-)#*#+1#"/"2'+,+##"01, #
&,,(#"2-1,!,*-21#/1&180*,+'1,/'+%0#/')
,21-211,, 1'+*,/#*#+'+%$2)"11,0&/#
'1&""'1',+)4,/('180-,00' )#1,01,/#"1,+
"/'3#21$,/+,4*,+'1,/1&#0#/'),21
-21'+1&#/"2'+,#+3'/,+*#+11,#3)21#6,2/
/"2'+,80-#/$,/*+!#

0#-2)0'+%/#"+" )2#0$,/+2)1/
#$$'!'#+1)'%&1'+%0601#*0##0!/#4"#!$!50#-1
&1*)$,/'(#6()/803#/0',+
'%2/#,214&11'*#0,$+'%&16,2/21')'16!&/%#0
),4#//1#0$,/#)#!1/'!'16+"12/+1&#)'%&10,+
"2/'+%1&,0#1'*#0,+)6
2')"--/, #+"$'+#12+#6,2/0,')!'"'16
$,/"'$$#/#+1-)+10
""/#)6!,+1/,))#"&#1#/1,(##-
%/##+&,20#3#/0',+ ,3#*'+'*2*
"#0'/#"1#*-#/12/#
"" 11#/6+"0,)/-+#)1,1(#1&#4&,)#
0601#*,$$%/'"

&,1,%/-& 6'!&#)/1#/

0#+'//'%1',+3)3#'+01#",$-2*-1,41#/
6,2/)/%#/,21",,/%/"#++"""0,*#*,"'
$'#"0,)/%/"#+)'%&10$,/""'1',+))'%&1'+%
$*+6-#,-)#01/1/#!,/"'+%1&##$$'!'#+!6+"
!,+3#+'#+!#,$1&'021,*1#"--/,!&1,%/"#+
'+%1&#+*6 #4#!+#3#+%/,4*,/#$,,",$
#11#/.2)'164'1&)#00#+#/%6--6/"2'+,'+%

,2!+$'+"1&#!,*-)#1#!,"#1*(#7'+#

%/"2'+,8))"")'+(01, #11#/3#/0',+00/#"#/0
!/#1#1&#*

=ifdD8B<dX^Xq`e\#Mfcld\(/%=fidfi\#m`j`kdXb\q`e\%Zfd





You might also like