A Low-Power, Wi-Fi-Enabled Node That Waters a Plant Based on Real-Time Soil Data
SproutNode is the first modular extension of SproutBot — designed for simplicity, accuracy, and standalone operation using the Raspberry Pi Pico W.
SproutNode v1 began as a test: can a simple microcontroller reliably monitor a plant and water it, without drift, resets, or human input?
The goal was humble: keep an Elephant Ear alive with a soil moisture sensor, a pump, and a loop that never fails. No vision, no movement, no AI... just quiet precision.
After SproutBot v1's retirement, SproutNode v1 became the new heartbeat.
Raspberry Pi Pico, capacitive soil sensors, submersible pump
Read moisture levels → decide per‑plant watering → log events live to archive
Node‑based Python scripts
Time‑stamped data to remote SQLite or CSV sync; supports cloud or local network storage
Hand-cut popsicle sticks, hot glue, stained finish
USB power supply via micro‑USB port
Completed Housing of SproutNode
SproutNode and the Elephant Ear
Sprout Blueprints
More Sprout BlueprintsSproutNode watering it's thirsty Elephant Ear
SproutNode V1 is stable and complete. Next, I'm onto building SproutNode 002 and introducing a second plant.