Project title: Automatic Plants Watering System for Small Garden
Introduction:
The need for smart and efficient water management systems has become crucial in many
regions worldwide due to the scarcity of water resources because of the changes in climatic
conditions, high atmosphere temperature, and the negative impact of human behavior on the
environment. The availability of drinkable water has become a global problem affecting many
countries, especially in Bangladesh. Therefore, there is a need for an efficient irrigation system
that works automatically to improve irrigation operations, reduce water consumption, and
reduce energy costs. The purpose of watering is to give the plants the right amount of water to
ensure ideal growth. Optimal irrigation management aims to determine the timing and quantity
of water suitable for irrigation to achieve the most significant effectiveness.
Figure 1: Automatic Plants Watering System for Small Garden
Philosophy:
The philosophy of the Automatic Plants Watering System for Small Garden is to apply simple
automation and control principles to solve a common real-life problem. In small gardens, plants
often suffer due to irregular watering caused by human negligence, busy schedules, or lack of
technical knowledge. This project aims to eliminate such dependency on manual effort by
introducing an intelligent, reliable, and energy-efficient automated watering solution.
The system is designed based on the principle that plants require water according to soil
moisture conditions rather than fixed time intervals. By continuously monitoring soil moisture
levels and responding automatically, the system ensures optimal water usage, prevents over-
watering and under-watering, and promotes healthy plant growth. This philosophy aligns with
sustainable development by conserving water, reducing wastage, and improving agricultural
efficiency on a small scale.
Another core philosophy of this project is simplicity and affordability. The system uses low-
cost components and straightforward control logic so that it can be easily implemented,
maintained, and expanded by users with basic technical knowledge. This makes the project
suitable for home gardens, rooftops, nurseries, and small agricultural applications, especially
in water-scarce regions.
Finally, the project reflects the integration of engineering knowledge with environmental
responsibility. It demonstrates how automation, sensors, and control systems can be practically
used to enhance daily life while promoting smart resource management and sustainable
gardening practices.
Project Setup:
• ESP32 : The central microcontroller.
• Sensors:
1. Analog Soil moisture sensor
2. Ultrasonic sensor - HC-SR04 (Generic)
3. Dual bidirectional I2C-bus and SMBus voltage-level translator (PCA9306)
4. BME280 / BPM280 (for temperature)
5. BME280/BPM280 (for Humidity)
• Others Devices/Components: Water pump, Relay module (JQC-3FF-S-Z), OLED
character display Module 16*2 Green, LED (Generic) and Piezo speaker, Breadboard,
Resistor (330 Ohm).
Project initial idea and short description:
1. Soil Moisture Monitoring & Automated Watering
A soil moisture sensor continuously measures the water content in the plant's soil. When the
moisture level drops below a predefined threshold (indicating the soil is dry), the ESP 32 sends
a signal to a relay. The relay acts as a switch to turn on the DC water pump, which draws
water from a reservoir bucket and delivers it to the plant via tubing. Once the soil is sufficiently
hydrated, the pump will turn off, a melody will play through a speaker, and the OLED will
display shows a "Thank you!" message.
2. Reservoir Water Level Management
An ultrasonic sensor is mounted at the top of the water bucket to measure the distance to the
water's surface. If the sensor detects that the water level is too low (the bucket is empty), the
system triggers a flashing blue LED to notify the user that a refill is needed. This prevents
the pump from running dry, which could damage the motor.
3. Environmental Data Tracking
A BME280 sensor measures the ambient temperature, pressure and humidity surrounding the
plant. This data, along with the current soil moisture numerical value, is updated in real-time
on the OLED screen so the user can monitor growth conditions at a glance.
Purpose of purchasing an Automatic Plant Watering System for a Small
Garden:
The purpose of purchasing an Automatic Plants Watering System for our household’s small
garden is to maintain optimal soil moisture for our plants without daily manual watering. This
system will help us efficiently manage water usage, support plant health during workdays or
short trips, and free up time for other household responsibilities.
Project Team Members:
ABUJOR GIFARE
Roll : 2202001 , Dept. of Mechanical ,RUET
SHAWON KUMAR SARKER
Roll : 2202002 , Dept. of Mechanical ,RUET
MD. ATAULLAH SHUVO
Roll : 2202003 , Dept. of Mechanical ,RUET
SHEIKH MOAMMIR SHAHRIAR
Roll : 2202004 , Dept. of Mechanical ,RUET
MD. SHOHANUR RAHMAN DIP
Roll : 2202005 , Dept. of Mechanical ,RUET