---
title: "Automated Garden"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/automated-garden/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/automated-garden/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "Thomas sxt"
author_url: "https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "Thomas sxt"
original_url: "https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8"
published: "2025-11-19"
language: "en"
likes: 0
views: 196
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---
# Automated Garden
> An Arduino + Raspberry Pi smart farm system that monitors soil and environment, controls watering, and captures daily timelapse images through Cayenne IoT
Original author: Thomas sxt (source: https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8)
## Article
### 👤Author
**Thomas SXT**
IoT·gardening automation·embedded prototyping 분야에서 꾸준히 활동하는 메이커.
스마트 농업 자동화, 기상 관측, 원격 제어 시스템을 중심으로 다양한 프로젝트를 공개하고 있다.
🔗 Instructables( **IOT Farm + Timelapse Cayenne Arduino/Raspberry)**
🔗 Hackster.io:
[https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8](https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
---
### 🧩Components
- Arduino Uno / Mega / Ethernet shield
- Raspberry Pi (Camera-enabled)
- DHT11 / DHT22 (Temperature & Humidity)
- Soil Moisture Sensor
- Relay Module
- Water Pump
- 5V / 12V Power Supplies
- Raspberry Pi Camera Module (Daily Timelapse)
#### 🌐 Cloud / Software
**Cayenne IoT Dashboard**
- MQTT communication
- Python Timelapse Script
---
### 🎯Project description
### **1️⃣ Overview**
This project builds a **smart, automated indoor/outdoor garden system** where:
- Arduino controls watering and sensor inputs
- Raspberry Pi captures **daily timelapse images**
- Cayenne IoT displays real-time environmental data
- Pump, sensors, and camera work together to monitor plant growth over weeks or months
The system enables **hands-free gardening**, remote monitoring, and visual growth analysis.
---
### **2️⃣ System Architecture**
```css
[Sensors]
- Soil Moisture
- Temperature & Humidity
↓
[Arduino]
- Reads sensors
- Controls pump via relay
↓
[Mqtt/Serial Communication]
↓
[Raspberry Pi]
- IoT gateway to Cayenne
- Timelapse camera automation
↓
[Cayenne Cloud Dashboard]
```
---
### **3️⃣ Key Features**
#### 🌱 **Automatic Irrigation**
Arduino reads soil moisture.
If water level is below threshold → relay activates pump.
#### 🌡 **Environmental Monitoring**
Arduino continuously sends:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Soil moisture
to Cayenne IoT for live visualization.
#### 🎥 **Daily Timelapse Capture**
Raspberry Pi camera takes photos on a schedule to** track growth** over time.
#### 🌐 **IoT Dashboard (Cayenne)**
- Remote ON/OFF for pump
- Real-time sensor charts
- Project logs & alerts
- Mobile/desktop access
---
## 🧠 **ENGINEERING – FOCUSED INSIGHTS**
#### **1) Arduino & Raspberry Pi Hybrid Control**
Arduino handles **real-time hardware I/O**, while Raspberry Pi manages **networking + imaging**.
This division ensures reliable performance without sensor lag or camera freezes.
#### **2) MQTT as a Lightweight Cloud Bridge**
MQTT makes sensor updates efficient even on weak Wi-Fi or outdoor setups.
##### **3)Low-Cost, Scalable Smart Farming**
The system can be expanded with:
- Light control
- Ventilation fans
- pH sensors
- Multi-zone irrigation
- A foundation for full smart-farm automation.
#### **4) Visualization as a Learning Tool**
The timelapse gives users immediate feedback about:
- Plant stress
- Growth rate
- Watering effectiveness
Great for STEM education and horticulture.
---
### 🧪User notes & Practical Advice(from the author)
##### ⭐ Tutorial Difficulty
“The tutorial is long but very easy. Only a few devices need to be connected and configured.”
##### 🔌 Wiring Note
“In the picture you can see a big mess — I used wires that were far too long.”
##### 📸 Timelapse Output
“I will post the resulting timelapse once the plants finish growing.”
##### ⚠ Important Ethernet Shield Warning
The Arduino Ethernet Shield may show **‘DHCP FAIL’** when connecting.
The author shared the solution found on the Arduino Forum:
✔ **Fix:**
> “You must solder **two 100Ω resistors** on the Ethernet shield."
> This resolves DHCP initialization issues and stabilizes network connectivity.
---
## 🧪 **USE CASES**
- Home hydroponics
- Classroom plant growth experiments
- Greenhouse environmental monitoring
- Automated irrigation systems
- Long-term biological observation projects
---
## 📘 **REFERENCE LINKS**
Instructables:
Hackster.io: [https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8](https://www.hackster.io/thomassxt/automated-garden-77bee8?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Cayenne IoT Platform: https://developers.mydevices.com/cayenne/
---
Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/automated-garden/