Since most of us can’t afford a greenhouse along the scale of Planterra’s fantastic conservatory that we looked in the last post – ok, that should read all of us? – I thought I’d scale it down to a more reasonable project that can be set up in a backyard, or even a patio if you are limited on space. The Plantduino Greenhouse by Clover features automated water and temperature controls, and was the second prize winner in the Instructable Microcontroller Contest. Check out the video walkthrough on how she did it!
Clover used Arduino, an open-source electronics prototyping platform to automate the controls for keeping her plants watered and happy. Nice job, Clover!
This summer I wanted to combine my two loves of plant science and engineering. Thus I am constructing my very own greenhouse in my backyard. I am an undergrad, and as any former student knows, this means I move around constantly, and I am not always around to take care of my vegetable garden. I love my plants but since I am moving back to school in July, and my family is unreliable, I need a way to make sure that they are taken care of. Enter Arduino!
This is Clover’s first attempt at using Arduino, so she gets kudos not only for that, but also for sharing her idea with Instructables and us! Not only did she come up with a great solution to her dilemma –keeping her plants growing while she was away at school– she housed the controls in the birdhouse on the porch. Very nice finishing touch, I think, on a homemade project that’s not only good for the environment but looks great as well! (Just hope the birds don’t mind that they can’t actually live in that pretty house!).
Have any of you created any cool DIY projects like this? I know when I go on vacation I always worry about my garden being a disaster when I get back – I would love to hear about your ideas and solutions that have a spring-time twist!
