Monitor Your Plants with Maker Pi Pico and A Soil Moisture Sensor

Discover how to use Maker Pi Pico and a soil moisture sensor to keep your plants happy and thriving. Get real-time insights with color-changing lights and helpful alerts. Let's get started on your plant-growing journey!

Video Tutorial

Components Required

• Maker Pi Pico
• Maker Soil Moisture Sensor

Hardware Components

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Maker Soil Moisture Sensor (Capacitive)

RM19.60

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Maker Pi Pico & Kits: Simplifying Raspberry...

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Connection

• Connect the sensor to pins GP27 & GP26

Get Familiar with Thonny and CircuitPython

In this tutorial, we'll use Thonny editor & CircuitPython to build the code for this project. If you're not familiar with Thonny, check out the video below to learn how to get started with it.

Required Libraries to Build the Code

Visit the official CircuitPython website and download the latest library bundle. Make sure to select the correct bundle for your version of CircuitPython.
 

Unzip the file, and locate these three libraries:

• neopixel.mpy
• simpleio.mpy

Copy and paste them into "lib" folder on your CIRCUITPY drive.

Code

Most of the code has been developed by Andy Warburton, view his online page here

Project complete

To ensure accurate readings, the program begins with a calibration mode. During calibration, make sure the soil moisture sensor is completely dry to establish the maximum reading. Then, insert the sensor into a cup of water to obtain the minimum reading. After about 5 seconds of calibration, your setup will be ready. From that point forward, you can use it normally with your plants.