Any backyard gardening automation out there??

[chuck_n_grace]

Hi,
The joy of gardening is that it removes me from a technical world of programming, robotics, automated machinery, etc. It's great to connect with the outdoors while seeking ways to provide food for our families.

However, you can't keep the geek away from 'geeking' too long. The automation bug is starting to creep into my mind. I'm already exploring low cost ways to do 'something'.

So, I'm curious. What have you done in the way of automation regarding your gardening? Self-sufficiency efforts? I'm sure many of you have timers have timers on your watering systems. What else have you done? Or what do you wish you could do?

Regards,
Chuck

[Nomada]

The closest I got to any form of automation was a drip watering system in my greenhouse last summer made of old pop bottles, not sure that counts! If you're looking into it though, instructables.com would be a good place to start.

[Odsox]

I have 2 polytunnels and 2 greenhouses and a wife that insists on unnecessary holidays away, so out of necessity I have automatic watering systems in each one driven by water computer controllers to sprinklers in the tunnels and leaky pipes and drippers in the greenhouses.

I did devise a system years ago having my big greenhouse computer controlled for ventilation with a temperature probe and an anemometer feeding info into a bog standard computer which controlled the opening of the ventilators and which ones (prevailing wind). Also moisture detector and solenoid valves for watering. I wrote all the program and made all the I/O controllers, tested it and then decided that to have a PC running 24/7 would be way too expensive.
It was a fun thing to do though.

I could probably do it all now with a single PIC chip which would use next to nothing in power, so maybe now that you've put the idea back in my head I will add that to the never ending jobs I've got lined up ... thanks.

[gregorach]

Hi,
The joy of gardening is that it removes me from a technical world of programming, robotics, automated machinery, etc. It's great to connect with the outdoors while seeking ways to provide food for our families.

However, you can't keep the geek away from 'geeking' too long. The automation bug is starting to creep into my mind. I'm already exploring low cost ways to do 'something'.

So, I'm curious. What have you done in the way of automation regarding your gardening? Self-sufficiency efforts? I'm sure many of you have timers have timers on your watering systems. What else have you done? Or what do you wish you could do?

Regards,
Chuck

Nothing electronic (still haven't got around to building the solar power system for the allotment - need to rebuild the shed first) but there's a lot to be said for old-fashioned mechanical automation, such as the auto-openers on the greenhouse vents and my gravity-fed drip irrigation system (gravity feed from water but to low-level header tank controlled by a Torbeck valve). Mind you, the Torbeck valve is a right pain in the jacksie - it doesn't like running off a manky low-pressure feed and tends to require disassembly and cleaning every few weeks. Still, beats having to water the tomatoes every day...

[KathyLauren]

Yes, timer on the watering system. The water is collected rainwater, and the pump is powered by a solar panel and battery. I guess the electric fence to keep out the raccoons is a bit geeky.

[chuck_n_grace]

Hi,
I like the mechanical and electrical automation solutions described above. I know of some cool industrial solutions that would really give me one cool garden...but the cost is prohibitive (several thousand dollars). I will do some reading of mechanical solutions...certain there are some methods that might be useful.

I'm researching the BASIC Stamp from parallax. I've got some bits along with electronic components. Plus there is a wireless adapter set of components. I'm working on a low-cost setup to meet my needs or wishes. Here are some objectives for automation. This is really geeky and a bit over the top...but it is 'my' wish list.

Controller Inputs
* Temperature/humidity sensors in greenhouse, outdoors, and in the garage.
* Light sensors to control additional lighting.
* Temperature in compost piles.
* Moisture sensing.

Controller Outputs
* Opening/closing windows in greenhouse and controlling fan.
* Watering of plants in backyard...using spigot or rain barrel with pump.
* Heater controlled by temperature.
* Feed fish automatically.

Data Streams
* Data logging temperature, light, and humidity.
* Browser controlled camera that pans, tilts, and zooms. Place one in the garden.
* Mounted camera in aquaculture tank to monitor fish...feeding a browser.

That's the basic list...I'm sure I can go on by leaving the imagination unchecked.

Regards,
Chuck

[dave45]

I confess to having a hozelock battery-powered timer to handle the watering in the greenhouse... but it leaks and need completely re-doing. No mains power so everything will have to be 12V... tried a non-automated amorphous solar panel and a large PC fan as a simpel ventilation system... failed ... added 2 more amorphous panels still not enough oomph. idea was that the fan would simply turn only if there was loadsa sun.... so now thinking of solar panel > battery + sensor or timer.... any recommendations for 12V gizmos?

[chuck_n_grace]

Dave,
Solar setups do best with a battery. Though I've seen small solar panels turn very tiny fans directly.

I bought some thermal switches rated for 40 degrees C on Ebay...very cheap. They are inexpensive. You can solder it in series with a receptacle (hot leg). Then, when the switch rises above 40 degrees, the switch closes and the receptacle is 'live'. A pump could be connected that would begin running. As the temperature dropped below, say 35 degrees, the pump shuts off.

I'm thinking of using this setup to push water through a black hose inside a solar collecter. This should allow me to pump only hot water to some location such as a storage tank...or greenhouse radiator...for heating in the winter. Just a theory of course.

I do have a bunch of electronic components called CdS cells. These are tiny light sensors....whose resistance varies in response to light. It's possible to build a small circuit to all this to control a receptacle....maybe detecting darkness and turning on a light.

Regards,
Chuck

[Millymollymandy]

I bought a timer thingy to go on the tap but have never used it. I just go out and turn it off manually when the seep hoses have been on long enough.

[Odsox]

I bought a timer thingy to go on the tap but have never used it. I just go out and turn it off manually when the seep hoses have been on long enough.

Not so easy to do when you're several hundred miles away on holiday though.

[boboff]

I wish I has listened more in Physic's!

Chuck, have you seen anything from Dick Strawbridge? He's well into mechanical things in gardening.

[chuck_n_grace]

Bob,
No I haven't...I'll take a look for Dick Strawbridge.

How's this for internet control of things about the house. This may creep you out a bit, but this fellow sells these systems. You can click on his 'office' and turn things on and off. Take a look...then you might be able to garden from the other side of the world. http://www.pdconner.com/

Regards,
Chuck

[Millymollymandy]

I bought a timer thingy to go on the tap but have never used it. I just go out and turn it off manually when the seep hoses have been on long enough.

Not so easy to do when you're several hundred miles away on holiday though.

Unfortunately I can't go away during the growing season. It was bad enough last 2 weeks of April which we've done the last couple of years - not for watering so much (though last year it didn't rain at all during that time ) but just messes up growing seeds and things and I miss seeing the apple blossom and other flowers.

So thought I'd be safe going away last 2 weeks of February - but so much is starting to happen in the garden I'm going to come back to a garden full of daffies and forsythia at this rate and I hate missing anything starting to flower! Plus I'm behind on the winter jobs.

I've come to the conclusion that I can only go away in November or December now!

[Stonehead]

The OH has an automaton to do the gardening for her. It looks strikingly similar to me...

[chuck_n_grace]

Hi,
After some digging, we're going to buy three things for our greenhouse.

1) As suggested we'll install two of those automatic mechanical systems to open/close windows based upon temperature.
2) Buy two small devices to plug into receptable with a temperature sensor. There are two kinds:
a) One applies power when temps increase above 75 degrees...used to control fan.
b) One applies power when temps decrease below 35 degrees...used to control heater.

The cost for these gizmos seems to be less than $120. I think they will make a great investment. I'll post more when I receive and install them.

Regards,
Chuck