Hi everyone, I wanted to share my recent project to automate my garden irrigation system. It’s been a fun challenge and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Here’s my setup and journey:
The Goal:
I wanted to create an automated irrigation system that waters my plants for exactly 2 minutes every 2 hours. The system should also be able to stop automatically if there’s any malfunction or unexpected behavior.
The Setup:
- Controller: Home Assistant running on a refurbished mini PC under $150
- Automation Rules: Triggered by the sun’s position and temperature sensors
- Actuators: Sonoff switches controlling water valves
- Sensors: Temperature probes to monitor water and soil conditions
Challenges and Solutions:
Initially, I faced issues with the automation stopping prematurely or not at all. After some research, I realized the problem was with how the state changes were being detected. I adjusted the automation trigger to watch for both ‘on’ and ‘off’ states more carefully.
Key Learnings:
- Temperature Monitoring: Placing the probes correctly was crucial. I ended up running the warm water through the valve periodically to get accurate readings without leaks.
- Automation Logic: Simplifying the automation logic made it more reliable. Now it’s based on time intervals with fail-safes.
- Integration: Using Govee devices alongside Home Assistant has been seamless. Their smart plugs and sensors integrate perfectly with my setup.
Future Plans:
I’m looking to expand this system to include moisture sensors in the soil for even smarter watering. Maybe next season, the system will only water when the soil is dry!
If anyone has tips or suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Happy automating! 
