Raspberry Pi Plant Watering (& Time Lapse)

Raspberry Pi Zero plant watering system using a resistive moisture sensor, solenoid valve and relay HAT. And there’s also a camera for recording a time lapse movie of the plants growing!

You can download the code used in the video from this page:

IMPORTANT NOTE:

My previous “Raspberry Pi Battery Power” video is here:

And the video where I first use the relay HAT is here:

The moisture sensor I used is here:

The FPD-270A solenoid valve I used is here:
But the price has increased, and a cheaper equivalent is here:

Note that different FPD-270A valves have different diameter inlets and outlets, so make sure you know what you are getting and what pipe will be required! :)

The two-relay Pi Zero relay HAT I showed in the video is here:

More videos on SBCs and broader computing and related topics can be found at:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Hardware
04:26 Moisture sensor test
06:56 Solenoid valve test
09:18 A Cunning Plan
10:50 Test System
18:24 In the Wild
20:38 Biology in Action
20:59 Wrap

[anthonymccarthy]

I've never seen a clearer explanation of what someone was doing with setting up, programming and implementing a computer project and never one that was as entertaining. Excellent as always.

[erlinglorentsen]

"I have a cunning plan"
As a Blackadder fan I couldn't help smiling at that particular expression.

[lewzero]

This time lapse video is possibly one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Specifically because the effort to make it is the single most well explained Rpi project I've ever seen. It sure made this old computer nerd smile. If I had stuff like this when I first tried to understand programming 30 years ago, I would likely be doing that instead of music production and 3d art with my computer. Truly inspiring

[TheClembo]

Well done Percy RPI Thrower. Just love watching time-lapse to show what's happening when we're not not looking! Fantastic -Thank you.

[zacharysimon]

I love this video! I'm an amateur gardener myself, and have recently thought about doing something like this. It looks like a really interesting experiment, thank you for running through it with us!

[cupchanger]

Another fantastic video, I must say this is one of my favorites. I’ve been thinking of similar ideas for some time. I am a water manager for large scale park irrigation, controlling millions of gallons a night. A couple of your ideas were intriguing, especially how you limit the corrosion on the sensor. Thank you for always making Sunday special. Your videos are the only scheduled program I look forward too.

[samaitcheson]

Chris' cunning plans are always a great learning experience 😊
I always really enjoy your real world computing projects Chris. Thanks again for a great piece of education.

[jamillmaldonado]

I've been watching for a couple of year now since high school and I've gotta say to this content is pure gold it's always presented in a way anybody can understand super appreciate it!

[corazondecocodrilo]

lovely how Chris devotes the dedication explain every single thing, makes me wish to come across more teachers like him <3 keep up the good work <3

[Solarcrest]

Love your content and style of presenting, Chris, thanks for being there!

[TimmyXaero]

I liked watching this video. Amazing how you got all of these items to work. Great gardening system. Thanks Chris.

[MagicMoose]

Perfect timing - I decided to do a project like this just today!

[adamcottrill]

Bravo Christopher, well thought out, well put together, informative and interesting...smashed it out of the park in my book! Cheers!

[MrThedennisblack]

These Pi videos are far and away my favorite on the channel!

[ThisFinalHandle]

This is pretty deep. Computer recording its self directly causing organic growth.

[mikiethebikie]

Hi Chris, this is a really good example of real-time feedback control. Thanks a lot.

[Shawclough]

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this video since you teased it in the battery test video.

[fwdesparado]

This is great timing for this video. My mother started growing blueberries this year and I have been wanting to set up a watering system for her. Now I don't have any excuses left (other than lack of time) for not completing my project.

[maderightamerica]

I really enjoyed this video. I'm going to attempt to make the same watering system as you did. You are a great teacher. There are hundreds of thousands of us who watch your channel to learn programming skills and ways to use what we learn. Thank you very much sir!

[streetyskater]

This is super cool! Would love to see more practical appliances like this. Some power generation with a propeller? Some more timelapse videos. Thanks a bunch for this video. Really inspiring.