I’ve been working on a smart irrigation system for my garden, and I thought I’d share my progress and some tips for anyone else looking to automate their watering. 
The system uses an ESP8266 module connected to a 4-valve controller, which I upgraded from a basic AliExpress model. The setup involves a Link-Tap valve as the main water source and four solenoid valves for distributing water to different garden zones. I’ve written a Tasmota script to handle the valve operations and ensure safety by preventing all valves from closing simultaneously. 
One of the challenges I faced was wiring the 3-to-8 decoder and ensuring all valves operate correctly. I added pull-up resistors to stabilize the inputs, which helped with the GPIO14 pin that was initially giving me trouble. After some trial and error, I got everything working smoothly! 
For anyone looking to replicate this setup, here are a few tips:
- Plan your wiring carefully: Label all connections to avoid confusion later.
- Use pull-up resistors: They help stabilize the inputs and prevent floating states.
- Test each valve individually: Before setting up the full system, ensure each valve works as expected.
- Secure your ESP8266: I mounted mine in a small plastic case to protect it from the elements.
I’m really happy with how this project turned out. It’s not only saving me time but also helping me maintain a healthier garden. If anyone has questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out!