---
title: "Budget Seed/plant Propagator With Automatic Temperature Control"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/budget-seed-plant-propagator-with-automatic-temperature-control/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/budget-seed-plant-propagator-with-automatic-temperature-control/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "PetervdPol"
author_url: "https://www.instructables.com/Budget-Seed-Propagator-With-Automatic-Temperature-/"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "PetervdPol"
original_url: "https://www.instructables.com/Budget-Seed-Propagator-With-Automatic-Temperature-/"
published: "2023-01-02"
language: "en"
hardware: ["Arduino Ethernet Shield"]
likes: 3
views: 750
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---
# Budget Seed/plant Propagator With Automatic Temperature Control
> At IKEA I spotted the Samla series of storage boxes: very clear plastic, affordable and big enough for multiple seeding and cutting trays.
Original author: PetervdPol (source: https://www.instructables.com/Budget-Seed-Propagator-With-Automatic-Temperature-/)
## Components
- **Arduino Ethernet Shield** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.arduino.cc/retired/shields/arduino-ethernet-shield-without-poe-module))
## Article
## **Step 1: Setting Up the Basic Construction**
[](https://content.instructables.com/FL6/UEEV/IY4QMVBN/FL6UEEVIY4QMVBN.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=d47b9093bffbd5bc546b5470c3de9bbf)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FRK/V1VN/IY4QMVAX/FRKV1VNIY4QMVAX.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=b9ef3995d05ed1b1b3970a6275f7775b)
[](https://content.instructables.com/F5G/7QMV/IY4QMV7R/F5G7QMVIY4QMV7R.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=c61f66f4502aeb76cae2f79c8ca8c5f0)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FN3/3IMH/IY4QMVCM/FN33IMHIY4QMVCM.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=d1a65fc20324a327d92a5eea76e7bb67)
## **Step 2: Add the Heating and Electronics**
[](https://content.instructables.com/FIA/77TO/IY4QMV8F/FIA77TOIY4QMV8F.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=7c8274fff3b0b2556e1e36cba49bdd73)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FC3/9WRH/IY4QMVCX/FC39WRHIY4QMVCX.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=e84a42bddaaa76091cf029296b5f5598)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FEN/56YW/IY4QMVDG/FEN56YWIY4QMVDG.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds&md=0d1544d1dd683e950fd225e0f450afff)
3 More Images
Fill the box with approx. 5-6 cm of sand. I used sand I had left from fixing the driveway. Fine sand is better appearently.
Add the heating cable. Make sure the cable does NOT cross itself , does not touch the walls or touch another piece of wire. The 75 watt power is a wild guess. I will find out whether the heating capacity is large enough. Obviously the room temperature plays a crucial role here....
Carefully cover the wire with another 5-6 cm of sand. The sand will work as buffer and store heat.
Connect the thermostat; it took me a while to figure out how,[I eventually used this tutorial](http://www.doityourself.com/forum/electrical-ac-dc/553850-wiring-up-light-thermostat.html#b) and made a trial with a light. Success!
**Warning: we are working with 230 volts close to water/moisture. If you don't know what you are doing: stop here.**
Program the thermostat. The mh1210w, although cheap, is a wonderfully accurate piece of electronics. It is 0,5 degree celcius precise and one can program in a temperature trajectory. Mine is programmed to switch ON at 22 celcius and OFF at 24 celcius: ideal for propagating basil etc.
Put the sensor in the propagator, I suggest NOT to stick it in the sand, but to keep it a few centimeters above the sand in the air on a stick or something.
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## **Step 3: Ready.....?**
[](https://content.instructables.com/FA2/ZV8G/IY4QMVED/FA2ZV8GIY4QMVED.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=c2067e88c6e6684bae269a75afb6a540)
And here is the finished product, very much prototype-style but it works! I will make it look better in the future if I have too much time. I have also covered it in bubble-foil as insulation as the propagator is in the annex where the temperature is just above 2-3 celcius. It took approx. 14 hours to reach 24 celcius, so the 75 watt heating element is powerful enough to raise the temperature with 20-22 degrees!
So far I have sown sweet red pepper, Basil, Parsley, Littele Gem salad and Coriander.
**Things to do/wishlist:**
- Add lights
- Monitor the RV and temperature with an Arduino/Nodemcu
- Add automatic watering & cooling (also Arduino stuff)
**If anyone can help me with the automatic watering system: much obliged!**
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## **Step 4: First Results After Four Days!**
[](https://content.instructables.com/FKY/8MHN/IYEQ7CI6/FKY8MHNIYEQ7CI6.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=5938e0ca5a095d5eaf7a4354da485afd)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FTS/SYPH/IYEQ7CHN/FTSSYPHIYEQ7CHN.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=448748e88468eaf34d75eb6826b32133)
[](https://content.instructables.com/FTS/WDCE/IYEQ7CI5/FTSWDCEIYEQ7CI5.jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds&md=92a436c38738235d36f1266852ea9c2a)
Four days ago I added seeds to the propagator. Some crops are already growing and germinating! I see cress (green plate) Rocket salad (right back) and Basil (left front) This is promising. Now I will add light.
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## **Step 5: Arduino Sketch for Monitoring and Talking to Thingpeak**
The code below is based on work of others, I am not a programmer, but can do "cut-and-paste" programming. It works, and I am happy. Thinks to do: trigger actions based on what I measure e.g. run a pump. Eventually I would love to used this code in my greenhouse and/or veg garden. If you have ideas or knowledge: let me know!
```
/*
Arduino --> ThingSpeak Channel via Ethernet
The ThingSpeak Client sketch is designed for the Arduino and Ethernet.
This sketch updates a channel feed with an analog input reading via the
ThingSpeak API (https://thingspeak.com/docs)
using HTTP POST. The Arduino uses DHCP and DNS for a simpler network setup.
The sketch also includes a Watchdog / Reset function to make sure the
Arduino stays connected and/or regains connectivity after a network outage.
Use the Serial Monitor on the Arduino IDE to see verbose network feedback
and ThingSpeak connectivity status.
Getting Started with ThingSpeak:
* Sign Up for New User Account - https://thingspeak.com/users/new
* Create a new Channel by selecting Channels and then Create New Channel
* Enter the Write API Key in this sketch under "ThingSpeak Settings"
Arduino Requirements:
* Arduino with Ethernet Shield or Arduino Ethernet
* Arduino 1.0+ IDE
Network Requirements:
* Ethernet port on Router
* DHCP enabled on Router
* Unique MAC Address for Arduino
```
---
Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/budget-seed-plant-propagator-with-automatic-temperature-control/