I have a few potted plants indoors and I want to automate their irrigation.
I don’t have any water line nearby, so I’m thinking of doing something that pulls water from a tank. Is there anything out there I could use or hack together?
Thanks for any advise.
I have never found sprayers etc to be that effective on an automated setup. The joints pop out and suddenly great gouts of water leap out.
My suggestion is a drip system, feed it with a pump if you don’t have a tap nearby. Control the pump with a relay controlled by tasmota or esphome.
Thanks for the reply @nickrout. That sounds like a sensible plan. Do you know if there are flow meters or something similar I could incorporate on the setup?
That I don’t know.
I have some code you could use. It runs on an ESP8266 at the moment, has been setup for 2 stations but I only used 1, and has a flow switch to confirm flow. The plan was to upgrade my code to include notifications if: 1) there was no flow when there should be, 2) there is flow when there shouldn’t be… but I never bothered to do so. It would be very easy to add that.
reticulation.yaml (package)
########################################
#
# This is a full reticulation
# control package using ESPHOMEYAML
# as the soleniod control via a NodeMCU
#
#
#
########################################
homeassistant:
customize:
switch.retic_station_1_valve:
icon: mdi:water-pump
switch.retic_station_2_valve:
icon: mdi:water-pump
input_boolean.retic_program1_enable:
icon: mdi:traffic-light
input_boolean.retic_program2_enable:
icon: mdi:traffic-light
# switch.retic_moisture_test_30s:
# assumed_state: false
sensor:
- platform: template # determine if today is selected as a watering day for program 1
sensors:
retic_program1_watering_day:
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_program1_monday, input_boolean.retic_program1_tuesday, input_boolean.retic_program1_wednesday, input_boolean.retic_program1_thursday, input_boolean.retic_program1_friday, input_boolean.retic_program1_saturday, input_boolean.retic_program1_sunday
value_template: >
{% set sensor_names = [ 'monday', 'tuesday', 'wednesday','thursday','friday','saturday','sunday'] %}
{% set today_name = sensor_names[now().weekday()] %}
{% set entity_id = 'input_boolean.retic_program1_'+today_name %}
{{ is_state(entity_id, 'on') }}
retic_program2_watering_day:
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_program2_monday, input_boolean.retic_program2_tuesday, input_boolean.retic_program2_wednesday, input_boolean.retic_program2_thursday, input_boolean.retic_program2_friday, input_boolean.retic_program2_saturday, input_boolean.retic_program2_sunday
value_template: >
{% set sensor_names = [ 'monday', 'tuesday', 'wednesday','thursday','friday','saturday','sunday'] %}
{% set today_name = sensor_names[now().weekday()] %}
{% set entity_id = 'input_boolean.retic_program2_'+today_name %}
{{ is_state(entity_id, 'on') }}
# Rain sensors from BOM forecast of today
possible_rainfall_today:
entity_id: sensor.bom_forecast_perth_weather_forecast_0
friendly_name: "Possible Rainfall Today"
value_template: >
{{ state_attr('sensor.bom_forecast_perth_weather_forecast_0', 'Possible Rainfall') | replace("mm", "") | float }}
chance_of_rain_today:
entity_id: sensor.bom_forecast_perth_weather_forecast_0
friendly_name: "Chance Of Rain Today"
value_template: >
{{ state_attr('sensor.bom_forecast_perth_weather_forecast_0', 'Chance of Rain') | replace("%", "") | float }}
input_datetime:
retic_program1_start_time: # program start time control
name: Program 1 Start Time
has_date: false
has_time: true
retic_program2_start_time:
name: Program 2 Start Time
has_date: false
has_time: true
input_number:
retic_program1_station1_run_time: # station run time control
name: Station 1 Run Time
min: 0
max: 30
step: 1
icon: mdi:camera-timer
retic_program1_station2_run_time:
name: Station 2 Run Time
min: 0
max: 30
step: 1
icon: mdi:camera-timer
retic_program2_station1_run_time:
name: Station 1 Run Time
min: 0
max: 30
step: 1
icon: mdi:camera-timer
retic_program2_station2_run_time:
name: Station 2 Run Time
min: 0
max: 30
step: 1
icon: mdi:camera-timer
allowable_rain_quantity:
name: 'Allowable Rain (mm)'
min: 0
max: 5
step: 0.1
icon: mdi:cup-water
allowable_rain_percentage:
name: 'Allowable Rain (%)'
min: 0
max: 100
step: 1
icon: mdi:water-percent
input_boolean:
retic_program1_monday: # watering day selections for program 1
name: Monday
retic_program1_tuesday:
name: Tuesday
retic_program1_wednesday:
name: Wednesday
retic_program1_thursday:
name: Thursday
retic_program1_friday:
name: Friday
retic_program1_saturday:
name: Saturday
retic_program1_sunday:
name: Sunday
retic_program2_monday: # watering day selections for program 2
name: Monday
retic_program2_tuesday:
name: Tuesday
retic_program2_wednesday:
name: Wednesday
retic_program2_thursday:
name: Thursday
retic_program2_friday:
name: Friday
retic_program2_saturday:
name: Saturday
retic_program2_sunday:
name: Sunday
retic_program1_enable: # enable program to run
name: Enable
retic_program2_enable:
name: Enable
retic_rain_parameters_met: # set to ON if rain today values are below levels set in input_numbers
name: Rain Parameters Met
icon: mdi:water
retic_rain_override: # set to ON to run retic even if rain parameters are not met
name: Rain Override
icon: mdi:water
group: # frontend interface setup
retic_manual:
control: hidden
name: 'Manual Control'
entities:
- switch.retic_station_1_valve
- switch.retic_station_2_valve
retic_program1:
control: hidden
name: 'Program 1'
entities:
- input_boolean.retic_program1_enable
- script.retic_program1_run
- input_datetime.retic_program1_start_time
- group.retic_program1_watering_days
- group.retic_program1_run_times
retic_program2:
control: hidden
name: 'Program 2'
entities:
- input_boolean.retic_program2_enable
- script.retic_program2_run
- input_datetime.retic_program2_start_time
- group.retic_program2_watering_days
- group.retic_program2_run_times
retic_program1_watering_days:
control: hidden
name: 'Watering days'
icon: mdi:calendar-multiple-check
entities:
- input_boolean.retic_program1_monday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_tuesday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_wednesday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_thursday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_friday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_saturday
- input_boolean.retic_program1_sunday
retic_program2_watering_days:
control: hidden
name: 'Watering days'
icon: mdi:calendar-multiple-check
entities:
- input_boolean.retic_program2_monday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_tuesday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_wednesday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_thursday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_friday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_saturday
- input_boolean.retic_program2_sunday
retic_program1_run_times:
control: hidden
name: 'Run times'
icon: mdi:camera-timer
entities:
- input_number.retic_program1_station1_run_time
- input_number.retic_program1_station2_run_time
retic_program2_run_times:
control: hidden
name: 'Run times'
icon: mdi:camera-timer
entities:
- input_number.retic_program2_station1_run_time
- input_number.retic_program2_station2_run_time
retic_status:
control: hidden
name: 'Status'
icon: mdi:water
entities:
- binary_sensor.retic_station_1_flow
- switch.retic_moisture_sensor_control
- sensor.retic_moisture_sensor_reading
#switch: # Solenoid control (will be signals to NodeMCU) NOT USED HERE BECAUSE CONTROL IS NOW VIA ESPHOMEYAML ADDON
# - platform: mqtt
# name: "Retic Station 1 Valve"
# state_topic: "retic/station1/state"
# command_topic: "retic/station1/cmd"
# payload_on: "1"
# payload_off: "0"
# optimistic: false
# qos: 0
# retain: true
# - platform: mqtt
# name: "Retic Station 2 Valve"
# state_topic: "retic/station2/state"
# command_topic: "retic/station2/cmd"
# payload_on: "1"
# payload_off: "0"
# optimistic: false
# qos: 0
# retain: true
automation:
- alias: Check rain parameters # check that todays rain doesnt need to disable the retic from running
initial_state: 'on'
trigger:
- platform: template
value_template: "{{ states('sensor.time') == ((states.input_datetime.retic_program1_start_time.attributes.timestamp - 600) | int | timestamp_custom('%H:%M', False)) }}"
- platform: state
entity_id: input_number.allowable_rain_quantity
- platform: state
entity_id: input_number.allowable_rain_percentage
## condition:
## conditions:
## - condition: template
## value_template: "{{ states('sensor.bom_current_weather_rain_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_quantity') }}"
## - condition: template
## value_template: "{{ states('sensor.possible_rainfall_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_percentage') }}"
action:
# - service_template: >
# {% if states('sensor.bom_perth_rain_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_quantity') and states('sensor.possible_rainfall_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_percentage') %}
# input_boolean.turn_on
# {% else %}
# input_boolean.turn_off
# {% endif %}
# entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_parameters_met
- service_template: >
input_boolean.turn_{{'on' if states('sensor.bom_perth_rain_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_quantity') and
states('sensor.possible_rainfall_today') <= states('input_number.allowable_rain_percentage') else 'off'}}
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_parameters_met
- alias: Reticulation Run Program 1 # start program 1 at designated time if it is enabled and today is selected as a watering day
initial_state: 'on'
trigger:
platform: template
value_template: "{{ states('sensor.time') == (states.input_datetime.retic_program1_start_time.attributes.timestamp | int | timestamp_custom('%H:%M', False)) }}"
condition:
condition: and
conditions:
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_program1_enable
state: 'on'
- condition: state
entity_id: sensor.retic_program1_watering_day
state: 'True'
- condition: or
conditions:
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_parameters_met
state: 'on'
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_override
state: 'on'
action:
- service: script.turn_on
entity_id: script.retic_program1_run
- alias: Reticulation Run Program 2 # start program 2 at designated time if it is enabled and today is selected as a watering day
initial_state: 'on'
trigger:
platform: template
value_template: "{{ states('sensor.time') == (states.input_datetime.retic_program2_start_time.attributes.timestamp | int | timestamp_custom('%H:%M', False)) }}"
condition:
condition: and
conditions:
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_program2_enable
state: 'on'
- condition: state
entity_id: sensor.retic_program2_watering_day
state: 'True'
- condition: or
conditions:
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_parameters_met
state: 'on'
- condition: state
entity_id: input_boolean.retic_rain_override
state: 'on'
action:
- service: script.turn_on
entity_id: script.retic_program2_run
script:
retic_program1_run: #run retic program 1 through each station for selected time
alias: Program 1 Run
sequence:
- service: switch.turn_on
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_1_valve
- delay: "00:{{ states('input_number.retic_program1_station1_run_time')|int }}:00"
- service: switch.turn_off
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_1_valve
- service: switch.turn_on
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_2_valve
- delay: "00:{{ states('input_number.retic_program1_station2_run_time')|int }}:00"
- service: switch.turn_off
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_2_valve
retic_program2_run: #run retic program 2 through each station for selected time
alias: Program 2 Run
sequence:
- service: switch.turn_on
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_1_valve
- delay: "00:{{ states('input_number.retic_program2_station1_run_time')|int }}:00"
- service: switch.turn_off
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_1_valve
- service: switch.turn_on
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_2_valve
- delay: "00:{{ states('input_number.retic_program2_station2_run_time')|int }}:00"
- service: switch.turn_off
data:
entity_id: switch.retic_station_2_valve
ESPhome code (on the ESP8266)
esphomeyaml:
name: ha_retic_controller_1
platform: ESP8266
board: nodemcuv2
wifi:
ssid: 'xxxx'
password: 'xxxx'
manual_ip:
static_ip: 192.168.0.61
gateway: 192.168.0.1
subnet: 255.255.255.0
api:
# Enable logging
logger:
ota:
password: 'xxxx'
switch:
- platform: gpio
name: "Retic Station 1 Valve"
# id: s1
icon: mdi:water-pump
pin:
number: D1
inverted: true
- platform: gpio
name: "Retic Station 2 Valve"
# id: s2
icon: mdi:water-pump
pin:
number: D2
inverted: true
- platform: gpio
name: "Retic Moisture Sensor Control"
id: s3
icon: mdi:water-percent
pin:
number: D3
inverted: false
- platform: template
name: "Retic Moisture Test 30s"
id: s4
icon: mdi:water-percent
optimistic: yes
turn_on_action:
- switch.turn_on: s3
- delay: 30s
- switch.turn_off: s3
- switch.turn_off: s4
binary_sensor:
- platform: gpio
name: "Retic Station 1 Flow"
pin:
number: D4
inverted: true
mode: INPUT_PULLUP
# - platform: gpio
# name: "Retic Station 1 Manual Button"
# pin:
# number: D5
# inverted: true
# mode: INPUT_PULLUP
# filters:
# - delayed_on: 10ms
# on_press:
# then:
# - switch.toggle: s1
sensor:
- platform: adc
pin: A0
name: "Retic Moisture Sensor Reading"
icon: mdi:water-percent
unit_of_measurement: "%"
accuracy_decimals: 1
filters:
- lambda: return ((1- x) / 1) * 140; # multiplying by 140 to scale value since reading is only 70% in water
# - filter_out: > 100
Lovelace screen
The moisture sensor reports over 100% when its turned off. I only run it for a short period because extended time on will corrode the sensor. I will actually be getting rid of it this week as I now have Mi Flora sensors instead which are much better.
Your garden is far too tidy.
Haha, thanks 
That image is of my new place which I literally move into this afternoon, hopefully I can keep it that way 
.
The code etc is for the pot plant watering I had in a rental before buying the above place. Yesterday I coded a new ESP program for a much more complicated retic controller which takes timing data from HA but can run independently in the event that HA is down (normally caused by me f’ing around too much), just running on last known settings. I haven’t tested it yet though so it’s not ready to share.
Hello! I build complete system irrigation my plants. For control humidity level MiFlora. If humidity go dawn, automation HA send signal to sonoff ON. Sonoff is build in old ATX. Inside is ESP8266 too, which control on-off relays for 6V small water pumps. I control level water in tank too. I can live my plants for 1-2 weeks for vacations. Everything works automatically under HA. If someone more interested I can explain more details.
Great project, can you share detailed production methods? thank!
I’m trying to do the same. I was looking at this kit that is available on Amazon, but I would like to connect the pump relay board to something like an ESP32 and connect to HA, as well as use the Mi Flora sensors. Just not sure how to do it.
Replace the arduino with an esp8266 or an esp32 and run esphome.
