Smart Plant Care: Monitoring Soil Moisture with Shelly

Owned by Michael Salerno
Last updated: Oct 30, 2024
3 min read

Keeping your indoor plants healthy and thriving can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to maintaining optimal soil moisture levels. Welcome to the realm of smart plant care with this comprehensive guide on utilizing the Shelly Plus Add-on alongside a Cytron Technologies Maker Soil Moisture Sensor. This innovative solution enables precise monitoring of your plants' hydration needs, automating the process of determining when it is time to water.

Whether you are a busy professional, a frequent traveler, or simply seeking to enhance your plant care routine, this guide will provide you with the necessary steps to establish a system that eliminates the guesswork associated with watering. By the conclusion of this guide, you will possess a smart and efficient method for ensuring your green companions receive the appropriate amount of water, thereby promoting healthier growth while minimizing the risks of over- or under-watering.

 

 

 

System Components

  1. Shelly Plus Device (e.g., Shelly Plus 1, Shelly Plus 1PM, Shelly Plus 2PM)

  2. Shelly Plus Add-on

  3. Cytron Technologies Maker Soil Moisture Sensor

  4. Power Supply for the Sensor (3.3V-5V)

 

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The components listed are essential for the effective functioning of the system, ensuring accurate moisture readings and seamless integration with the Shelly ecosystem.

Wiring

  1. Attach the Shelly Plus Add-on to your Shelly Plus device:

    • Carefully align the header pins (C) of the Add-on with the header connector (D) of the Shelly Plus device.

    • Ensure that the brackets (A) securely lock onto the hooks (B) of the Shelly Plus device.

  2. Connect the soil moisture sensor to the Shelly Plus Add-on:

    • Yellow wire (sensor output) → ANALOG IN on the Add-on

    • Black wire → GND on the Add-on

    • Red wire → Power supply positive (3.3V-5V)

    • Gray wire → Power supply positive (for sensor disable function, optional)

Configuration

  1. Access the Shelly Plus Device's Web Interface:

  2. Enable the Add-on:

    • Click on "Add-on" in the main menu.

    • Press "Enable Add-on."

    • Reboot the device when prompted.

  3. Add the Analog Input:

    • Click "Add Peripherals."

    • Select "Analog Input."

    • Save the settings and reboot.

  4. Create Actions:

    • Navigate to the "Input (101)" section.

    • Go to the "Actions" tab.

    • Click "New Action."

    • Set up actions based on soil moisture readings.

Use Case: Monitoring Indoor Plant Soil Moisture

  1. Begin by placing the soil moisture sensor in the desired plant pot.

  2. Next, configure the actions on your Shelly Plus device:

    • Establish a threshold for low soil moisture (e.g., 30%).

    • Create an action that sends a notification when the soil moisture level falls below this threshold.

  3. Optional: Set up automated watering

    • Connect a small water pump to a Shelly-controlled relay.

    • Configure an action to activate the pump when the soil moisture is low.

    • Implement a safety action to prevent overwatering.

Additional Use Cases

  1. Greenhouse Monitoring:

    • Deploy multiple sensors to track the conditions of various plants.

    • Utilize the Shelly Plus 2PM to manage both heating and irrigation systems effectively.

  2. Outdoor Garden Management:

    • Implement weather-resistant sensors for monitoring outdoor plants.

    • Integrate weather forecast data to enhance watering schedules and efficiency.

  3. Plant Research:

    • Gather soil moisture data over time for various plant species.

    • Analyze growth patterns in correlation with soil moisture levels.

  4. Water Conservation:

    • Monitor soil moisture levels in public parks or expansive gardens.

    • Optimize irrigation systems to minimize water waste.

Tips for Optimal Performance

  1. Calibrate your soil moisture sensor for various soil types to ensure accurate readings.

  2. Regularly clean the sensor probes to prevent mineral buildup, which can compromise the accuracy of your readings.

  3. Utilize multiple sensors for larger plants or pots to obtain a more comprehensive moisture profile.

  4. Integrate your Shelly system with smart home platforms like Home Assistant for enhanced automation and data visualization.

  5. Consider using a Shelly Plus 1PM to monitor the power consumption of your watering system, enabling you to optimize both water and energy usage.

Implementing a smart soil moisture monitoring system using the Shelly Plus Add-on and Cytron Technologies Maker Soil Moisture Sensor can transform your approach to indoor plant care. By automating soil moisture monitoring, you not only promote the health and vitality of your plants but also streamline your plant care routine.

This innovative solution provides flexibility and scalability, enabling you to expand from caring for a single plant to managing an entire indoor garden, or even larger setups like greenhouses and outdoor spaces. As you gain familiarity with the system, you can refine your watering schedules, optimize water usage, and contribute to conservation efforts.

Keep in mind that the key to success lies in the regular maintenance and calibration of your sensors, as well as being attentive to the unique needs of each plant species. With this smart system in place, you are well on your way to becoming a more efficient and effective plant caretaker, enjoying lush, thriving greenery in your living spaces with minimal effort.