Cut

Arduino Uno: https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3

2 Chanel Relay Module: http://wiki.sunfounder.cc/index.php?title=2_Channel_5V_Relay_Module (one channel with lower voltage would be preferred for final piece)

12V Self Priming Pump: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PN232FR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

16x2 LCD Display: https://www.adafruit.com/product/181?gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9iBBhCJARIsAE9qRtAX5xYkBB5DfnDwtlKmVggqrQ9cUGy5G8KY6ttuXEhR1dKQLUrooMQaAjCFEALw_wcB

Soil Sensor V1.2: https://wiki.dfrobot.com/Capacitive_Soil_Moisture_Sensor_SKU_SEN0193

Breadboard: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4539

Jumper Wires: https://www.adafruit.com/categories/306

Prusa mk3s

Ok, after going to the computer store that sells this kind of tinkery electronic nerd gear. Buying about 30x the amount of stuff I know how to use and two nights of staying up way too late in front of the glow-box, we have this nest of wires. It works, but I think something is off with the sensor; it seems to be reading based on physical pressure rather than moisture. From what I've read - capacitance sensors (used here) have sealed conductive plates that are a fixed distance apart. The sensor provides feedback based on how much dielectric (amount of current passed through material); when the moisture increases, the soil becomes more conductive. The sensor will output a higher value of pass-through energy.

Capacitance is also the technology used on touch screen phones, but rather than using soil moisture; it senses the moisture's conductivity on your skin. This is also why a few drops of water on your phone screen can make it glitchy to tap/type.

Next moves:

Add a rotary selection knob & make a fire hydrant sculpture to house the contraption. Sounds like I need a 3d Printer. lol

Learn to control stepper motors with the Arduino to make shit move for photos/animations.

For a while, I’ve wanted to make a little system that would measure the soil moisture and water when appropriate, it grew from the idea of wanting to keep a bonsai in my apartment, but with my travels (during regular times), any delicate tree like a bonsai would be dead in a month. My dad has been doing bonsai (not sure how to phrase that) for five or so years now, and I always thought it was kind of cool.