Decorative Automatic GARDEN WATERING SYSTEM

The proposed decorative and automatic garden watering device, equipped with a soil sensor module, provides an efficient way to maintain a flourishing garden with minimal human effort while enhancing visual appeal.

- SURESH CHANDRA DWIVEDI

The device automates watering by monitoring real-time soil moisture levels. Traditional methods often result in over-watering or under-watering, stressing plants. By employing a soil moisture sensor, the device ensures optimal water delivery, promoting healthy plant growth and conserving resources.

Fig. 1 illustrates the prototype on a breadboard.

Circuit and working

The circuit diagram for the decorative and automatic garden watering device is shown in Fig. 2. It comprises a step-down transformer (X1), a 12V voltage regulator (LM7812, IC1), a 5V voltage regulator (LM7805, IC2), a soil sensor module with a sensor probe and jumper wire, a PNP transistor (BC558, T1), an NPN transistor (BD139, T2), a 5V SPDT relay, eight different coloured LEDS (LED1 through LED8), and various other components.

The 230V AC mains voltage is stepped down to 15V AC through the step-down transformer (X1).

This 15V AC secondary output from X1 is fed to the bridge rectifier (BR1). Capacitor C1 filters the voltage ripples, and this filtered output is supplied to the voltage regulator LM7812. IC1 provides a 12V regulated DC output, which is further connected to the input of IC2, the 12V water pump, and the eight LEDs. IC2 generates a 5V regulated DC output to drive the soil sensor and relay RL1. Capacitors C2 and C3 filter any remaining voltage ripples.