Ideas for smart irrigation

Hardware
1

I have a patch of garden around 6 x 1 metres that is planted with various flowers and plants. I’m looking to automate watering of the soil in this area but am finding it hard to know what smart equipment is available to achieve this.

I got to smart soil moisture sensor but that’s as far as I got.

Any ideas and suggestions welcomed.

2

Firstly try a couple of searches of this forum. Just click the icon at top right that looks like a magnifying glass. There have been several discussions on irrigation and related topics which should give you some ideas.

Then ask yourself things like:

  • do I just want a timer, to turn the water on for 1 hour at 6pm each day ?
  • If not, what would i like my system to do ? Don’t worry, you are allowed to change your mind later, especially to add other things :wink:
  • is my garden close enough to mains power, or will devices need to be battery operated ?
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3

I use the Rachio hose timer connected to a simple drip hose. The timer integrates nicely into ha. It does require one of their hubs but the price wasn’t too bad. I also use some of their soil meters to tell ha when watering is required.

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4

If simple battery operated programmer-valve units are not enough smart for you and you have electricity available, solenoid valve + Shelly Plus1 would be my choice for single sector setup.

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5

Hello Martin,

I did this…

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6

Thanks all. That gives me some ideas and a place to start planning my layout and devices. :grinning:

7

Just grab a zigbee sonoff valve and ad a soaker hose?

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8

This video just came up in my feed, may be of interest to folks here:

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9

that is a battery operated valve that ties into home assistant and my existing rachio whole yard irrigation system.

10

Ok, nice.
I though I replied to OP…
So how it works, what’s the communication method between valve and the hub?

11

I’m not sure. You put in a battery and they show up in the Rachio app and by extension in home assistant.

12

Linktap. Has built in MQTT and docs on how to connect to Home Assistant.