Automatic plant watering project using Arduino |Arduino smar

Automatic Plant Watering System Using Arduino – Smart Irrigation Project 🌱💧

In an age where smart technology is revolutionizing daily life, automating garden or farm irrigation has become more accessible than ever. The Automatic Plant Watering System using Arduino is a perfect example of how microcontrollers and sensors can be used to reduce manual effort and water waste. This DIY project is ideal for home gardeners, agriculture enthusiasts, and students looking to explore IoT and automation.

🔧 Components Required

To build this smart irrigation system, you’ll need:

Arduino UNO board

• Arduino UNO board

Soil moisture sensor

• Soil moisture sensor

Water pump (DC motor-based)

• Water pump (DC motor-based)

NPN Transistor (like BC547 or TIP120)

• NPN Transistor (like BC547 or TIP120)

1K ohm resistor

• 1K ohm resistor

9V battery or suitable external power supply

• 9V battery or suitable external power supply

Relay module (optional for pump control)

• Relay module (optional for pump control)

Jumper wires and breadboard

• Jumper wires and breadboard

This project utilizes a soil moisture sensor to detect the water level in the soil. Based on the readings, the Arduino activates a DC pump to water the plant, ensuring it gets the right amount of water without human intervention.

🧠 Working Principle

The system works by monitoring soil moisture levels using the sensor. The sensor has two probes that measure the conductivity of the soil; the wetter the soil, the more conductive it is.

The moisture sensor sends analog data to the Arduino. If the moisture level drops below a certain threshold, the Arduino sends a signal to the transistor, which acts as a switch to turn on the water pump. Once the soil reaches the desired moisture level, the Arduino cuts off the power supply, and the pump stops automatically.

💡 Circuit Explanation

The soil moisture sensor is connected to the analog input pin (A0) of the Arduino.

• The soil moisture sensor is connected to the analog input pin (A0) of the Arduino.

The pump is connected to a 9V power source through a transistor, which is controlled by one of the Arduino’s digital output pins (e.g., pin 7).

• The pump is connected to a 9V power source through a transistor, which is controlled by one of the Arduino’s digital output pins (e.g., pin 7).

The transistor acts as a switch, allowing the Arduino to handle higher currents needed by the pump.

• The transistor acts as a switch, allowing the Arduino to handle higher currents needed by the pump.

A 1K resistor is connected to the base of the transistor to limit the current from the Arduino.

• A 1K resistor is connected to the base of the transistor to limit the current from the Arduino.

Optionally, a relay module can be used for safer switching, especially when dealing with AC-powered pumps.

💻 Arduino Code Overview

The Arduino sketch reads the analog value from the soil moisture sensor and compares it to a threshold value. If the reading is low (indicating dry soil), it turns the pump ON. When the moisture is sufficient, it turns the pump OFF.

cpp

CopyEdit

int sensor = A0;
int pump = 7;
int value = 0;

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

void loop() {
value = analogRead(sensor);
Serial.println(value);

if (value < 600) {
digitalWrite(pump, HIGH); // turn pump ON
} else {
digitalWrite(pump, LOW); // turn pump OFF
}
delay(1000);
}

cpp

CopyEdit
int sensor = A0;
int pump = 7;
int value = 0;

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

void loop() {
  value = analogRead(sensor);
  Serial.println(value);
  
  if (value < 600) {
    digitalWrite(pump, HIGH); // turn pump ON
  } else {
    digitalWrite(pump, LOW); // turn pump OFF
  }
  delay(1000);
}

🌾 Applications and Benefits

Smart home gardening – No more worrying about watering your plants when you're away.

• Smart home gardening – No more worrying about watering your plants when you're away.

Agriculture automation – Efficient irrigation saves water and boosts crop health.

• Agriculture automation – Efficient irrigation saves water and boosts crop health.

School/college projects – Great for learning about sensors, electronics, and automation.

• School/college projects – Great for learning about sensors, electronics, and automation.

Eco-friendly – Prevents water wastage by only watering when necessary.

• Eco-friendly – Prevents water wastage by only watering when necessary.

✅ Conclusion

This automatic plant watering system is simple to build, affordable, and very effective. By using a soil moisture sensor with an Arduino, you can make your own smart irrigation system that keeps your plants healthy and thriving—even when you're not around. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just love plants, this project combines both passions beautifully!

Let me know if you’d like the circuit diagram or a downloadable code version!