How to Use an LM324 to Monitor Plant Water Requirements

The soil moisture meter for our plants helps us to measure the volumetric water content in the soil.

Measuring soil moisture is important for our plants to manage irrigation systems more efficiently. It helps us to grow plants in less water rather than giving them excessive water or no water at all. Which increases the life of the plant and we also save tons of water.

Connecting a soil moisture sensor to a simple irrigation controller will convert it into a "smart" irrigation system that stops irrigation cycles when the soil gets enough water.

Golf courses are using soil moisture sensors to increase the efficiency of their irrigation systems to prevent over-watering. 

• LM324 op-amp IC

• A capacitive soil moisture sensor

• 10K Pot

• LEDs

• Resistors 3300Ω

• 5V Micro USB board 

• Power supply 5V

Make sure to watch the video. It will give you pretty much all the information you need. During the next steps though, I will present you some additional information.

Here you can find the schematic of the project.

You did it! You just created a Soil Moisture Meter

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtxRP71jdZ9Dkis2x7dgBaw