The other gardeners

Posted on 2019-11-06 by me

A robot gardener is far from new. A quick google returns a fancy youtube video, and a blog (although same project as in the video), and a github project, and a kick starter, etc…

Let’s review some sources, and collate what looks helpful.

Esologic : PiPlanter2

Link

In its own words:

Planter is a plant growth automation system. It uses a microprocessor connected to an embedded computer (a Raspberry Pi) to complete a series of motoring and regulation tasks on a schedule to optimize the growth of any kind of plant.

Basic setup

Key components:

  • A Raspberry Pi B
  • Raspberry Pi Camera Module
  • Soil Moisture Sensor
  • 12V Diaphragm Pump
  • MCP3008 (analogue-digital converter)
  • TMP36 Temperature Sensor

Comments

The site and/or the project seem a little hard to follow: There are also links to a selection of PDFs, but its unclear how one is intended to navigate around it. The project is no longer live (2014).

It does list the hardware components used with links, and has a Fritzing diagram of the wiring.

The software is present on the page and in links. Slightly suspicious of the structure and quality. Slightly. Posts aren’t obviously organized. These observations are noted in project GreenPiThumb.

Automatisches Raspberry Pi Gewächshaus

Link

Fancy website all in german :-/

Or…. English!.

Basic setup

Key components:

  • Raspberry Pi (Version egal)
  • 12V DC Power adapter and jack
  • 12V Water pump
  • RTC Modul DS1307 (a clock?)
  • MCP3008 (ADC)
  • Moisture sensor(s)
  • Servomotor
  • Light sesor
  • 12V LED panel
  • Relays (minimum of 2)

Comments

Pretty comprehensive, well structured tutorial. Nice Fritzing diagrams. Very concise git repo of code.

If there are any problems with this: it may be a little too smooth. The author clearly knows what they’re doing. Possibly blissfully bypassing noob errors, and giving the impression all is easy!

mtlynch : GreenPiThumb

Link

In its own words:

This is the story of GreenPiThumb: a gardening bot that automatically waters houseplants, but also sometimes kills them.

Basic setup

Key components:

  • Raspberry Pi
  • Raspberry Pi Camera
  • MCP3008 analog-to-digital
  • Soil moisture sensor
  • Light sensor
  • DHT11
  • 12V water pump
  • MOSFET

Comments

Nice looking post. Kindly honest. Emphasis on having good code that they claim is lacking in some other projects.

A video on MOSFETs

Link

Gosh. This gets complicated.