Automating a Greenhouse with LoRa! (Part 1) || Sensors (Temperature, Humidity, Soil Moisture)

Parts list (affiliate links):
1x Wood chest
Silicone Wire

Websites which were shown during the video:

In this project I will be showing you how I automated a greenhouse. That means I will show you how I built the greenhouse and how I wired up the power and automation electronics. Also I will be showing you how to program an Arduino board that uses LoRa in order to transmit the measured temperature, humidity and soil moisture inside the greenhouse to a LoRa gateway which then uploads it all to the internet. That means you can check on your greenhouse from everywhere in the world. Let's get started!

Thanks to JLCPCB for sponsoring this video

Music:
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

[fcsbob]

hey, this is what I do for a living. I automate very large greenhouses! Hundreds of sensors, irrigation machines, water cleaning machines, pretty much everything!

[kumaran]

Great Scott gardening : "let's say plants just appeared here"

[Asu]

That's one weird way to end a video..




A bit of tip: when you have a silicone wire close to any sharp edge such as through a drilled hole on aluminium surface, cover the wire with some heat shrink layers or use rubber grommets for more professional solution. The reason is because silicone wires are easier to slice through compared to regular PVC wire, and you don't want short circuit to happen. Talking from an expensive experience. 11:30

[DantalionNl]

Recommendation for getting cheaper higher quality greenhouses: Look for second hand sellers

[Mrber]

I would recommend to add a Grommet (german: Durchführungstülle) to the hole for the cables.
Also i would protect the edges of the PCB of the soil sensors, the material of the PCB could get soggy (not sure if you already did it)

[tanmay______]

4:25 i think we need a GreatScott Garden Tips channel from now on

[akhurash]

This is a great project. Can’t wait until part 2.

[Travis_Yu]

You spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round round round~

[abhirupsengupta]

Ever since you mentioned this in a video, I've been waiting for this project. 🤩

[MladenMijatov]

Very important thing for anyone trying to do this, all those sensors need to communicate over digital protocol. You can not use analog and just measure voltage output. Parasitics would drive you insane as readings would be all over the place. Also important note is never to try and maintain soil humidity. Plants don't like ideal conditions. It needs to be periods of moisture combined with dry periods. In drip irrigation, you would water every 3rd or 4th day for few hours (depending on temperature). That is for plants in the ground. If they are in some other containers like pots, they need to be watered more frequently.
I would also advise pulling up dirt on the outer walls until height of metal foundations. It would allow greenhouse to be used earlier in the year as metal is good conductor of heat and above ground is the coldest temperature. Adding that dirt would isolate from heat loss and prevent frost from affecting plants.
As for those self-adhesive pads, I predict they will fail within first week. Have fun! :D

[cheesyvin]

That's the most GreatScottish thing I've ever seen and its beautiful

[beratbaki]

Fİnally! The content I was looking for.

[ag]

You should start using Home Assistant it has dedicated plant information cards

[chengL]

You haven’t protected the pcb edges of the moistures sensor with polish nail. It will get damage with the time 🙈

[Xenos_AR]

you know, I just started to have a hobby in gardening, with soil and hydroponics, and I was thinking about how to automatized it. what a coincidence, you came when I needed an inspirations !

[AmnesiaPhotography]

Love this video, there’s something about off the grid, automated installations that really peek my interest! Especially if they’re off in the middle of nowhere. Not sure why!

One thing I think you should have added was rubber grommets for passing into the greenhouse. Over time I can see those cables getting cut from the sharp metal edges.

Love your videos, keep up the interesting, informative and inspiring work!

[ChilliChump]

Great video. Always enjoyed your content! I've done something similar over the last few years, with a couple videos showing my setup. However, moisture sensors are pretty much a waste of time in my experience. They just aren't good enough...and are affected by things like salt content in the water.

[cokefridger]

hehe, "planted the idea", hehe

[siamsurf]

The timing for this video couldn't have been more perfect. I just finished my green house, and this was going to be the next thing.

[OnezOgirdor]

Might sound stupid but exactly this is what fascinates me the most about electronics. The way how mundane everymans problems can be solved or at least helped with technology just amazes me.