Plant Watering System -Ardunio Uno

Meet Serge, the interactive indoor planter. Unlike other self watering planters Serge wants your love and attention to grow. A soil moisture sensor measures the moisture of the soil which you can read from the LCD. With just one touch on the sensor you'll provide Serge with fresh water.

In this instructable I'm explaining how to make a plant watering system with a touch sensor powered by Arduino Uno.

Step 1: Step 1: What You'll Need

For this project you'll need:

- 10k resistor
- Relay
- Potentiometer
- Jumper wires
- Touch sensor
- Soil moisture sensor
- 5V water pump
- LCD (16x2)

You'll also need a:
- Breadboard
- Arduino Uno
- Tape
- Piece of cardboard

Step 2: Step 2: Wiring the Components

Keep in mind to use the standard format breadboard when installing the components so that everything fits in the housing.

Step 3: Step 4: Code

For this step you'll need to download the attached file and open the code in the Arduino editor. Alongside the code you'll find comments which clarify each part of the code. For example: you can easily change the tekst on the LCD from "Serge's grond bevat % water" to your own text.

Step 4: Step 4: Printing the 3D Housing

In the attachment you'll find the 3D model I made for this project. All listed components should fit perfectly inside. If you want to make your own housing make sure that you measure the sizes of the LCD and touch sensor very well so that you can make a cutout which fit them seamlessly.

Step 5: Step 5: Installing Everything

After you are done printing the housing you're ready to instal everything.

First we make the bottom part on which we attach all components. Trace the housing onto a piece of cardboard and cut it out. Keep in mind that you draw an extra flap which you can stick on the inside of the housing so everything stays in place.

The next step is placing the LCD and touch sensor in the cutouts. If you used the attached file for the 3D model the components will fit perfectly in the cutout. In some cases you will have to file the edge of the cutout because it's a little too tight. Make sure that the jumper wires are long enough to prevent pulling out the LCD!
Use some tape to fasten the touch sensor on the inside of the housing. Use enough tape so the sensor won't come loose wen touching it.

Now we are going to instal the water pump and the soil moisture sensor. Disconnect the jumper wires from the sensor and pump and pull them through the hole at the top. Make sure you have enough wire left for the soil moisture sensor so you can place it in to the potting soil. Don't forget to glue/kit the hole where the wires run through. You don't want to spill water on your breadboard inside the pot.

The last step is placing the breadboard in the housing. Put the pot on its side and gently place the breadboard inside. Be careful not to press too hard so that the wires don't come loose. Take the cardboard cutout to close the bottom. Secure the edges with tape. Put the pot upright again and make sure everything works. If all the components work you're ready to pour some water in the water reservoir and start using the pot.

Step 6: