# Agriculture: Anyone doing this? What/How/Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [April 16, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083 "2019-04-16T10:05:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chbla](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/chbla/32/35697_2.png) [@chbla](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/chbla)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/1 "2019-04-16T10:05:24Z")
Hi there, I wondered if anyone is doing agricultural monitoring. Especially: **What are you monitoring and why?** If yes, **what measurements do you take and what hardware do you use**? I’m interested in soil measurements (more than humidity) and would create a small demo showcase for a hackathon. Doesn’t matter if DIY but I’m not sure if there are sensors for arduino/RPi out there. Thank’s a lot, Christoph ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 11:36am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/2 "2019-04-16T11:36:34Z")
cheap diy solution if you can connect this to a node 🤔 [![3%20in1%20PH%20Garden%20Soil%20Tester](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/b/3/b321e5cf8a7969b90001e4da8617dd755c97149f.jpeg)](https://www.banggood.com/3-in1-PH-Garden-Soil-Tester-Professional-LCD-Temperature-Moisture-Sunlight-Meter-p-1162841.html?cur_warehouse=CN) ---
**Author:** ![cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/cultsdotelecomatgmai/32/35697_2.png) [@cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/cultsdotelecomatgmai)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 7:04am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/3 "2019-04-17T07:04:10Z")
Hi @chbla, Semtech (own the LoRa technology) are investing, sponsoring and publishing a lot on smart agriculture. Take a look at the following link to see a lot of videos and whitepapers: [https://www.semtech.com/lora/lora-applications/smart-agriculture](https://www.semtech.com/lora/lora-applications/smart-agriculture) ---
**Author:** ![chbla](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/chbla/32/35697_2.png) [@chbla](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/chbla)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 7:38am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/4 "2019-04-17T07:38:36Z")
Thanks a lot! Sponsoring would be interesting, since it’s a non-profit project (hackathon). I didn’t see any options though on their page, just a list of third party usecases? They don’t have hardware themselves, right, besides the plain chips. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff-UK](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jeff-uk/32/35697_2.png) [@Jeff-UK](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Jeff-UK)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 9:06am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/5 "2019-04-17T09:06:16Z")
Semtech provide the chips, demo/eval platforms and ref designs and associated s/w and collaborate with the the LoRa/LoRaWAN ecosystem, most notably through the LoRa Alliance, [https://lora-alliance.org/](https://lora-alliance.org/) , for the modules, gateways and system implementations. If looking for end devices etc. a good starting point if you don’t want to go DIY route (check out [Hackster.io](http://Hackster.io), github, adafruit, etc for Lora projects; GIYF) is to look at the TTN market place [https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/marketplace](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/marketplace) ---
**Author:** ![andrewl](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/andrewl/32/37697_2.png) [@andrewl](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/andrewl)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 10:43am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/6 "2019-04-17T10:43:02Z")
Successfully using these probes in a number of areas, testing in UK but deployed in USA for a client. This one is a 60cm probe with 6 sensing regions for soil moisture, temperature and salinity so gets values for different root depths. ![41-1](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/b/d/bda8edc9b2a01c2952447b873856cc262dfbd095.jpeg) Cheers Andrew ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 11:35am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/7 "2019-04-17T11:35:09Z")
![agri](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/d/b/dbfbeeb957659f255e35ee72f51e5891854cb901.jpeg) - [https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmartAgriculture?src=hash](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmartAgriculture?src=hash) ---
**Author:** ![MariaTTN](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/mariattn/32/35697_2.png) [@MariaTTN](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/MariaTTN)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/9 "2019-04-18T16:01:13Z")
Hi, I have installed a couple of soil moisture sensors in my garden and built two different kind of end devices mit ATMega328 and RFM95 (4 channel analog voltage input and 8 channel analog voltage input). I use the sensors shown below (SMT50 by Truebner) since they are reasonable low cost and fully water proof for long term operation. ![SMT50](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/6/4/641a4aa67b5018bc561e42a6e79333daf6e599c9.jpeg) The system is just for monitoring soil moisture after experience with severe drought last summer in Germany. I will add valves later and work on a complete controll system. I do have similar nodes and a weighing scale with HX711 AD converter for monitoring my beehives. Maria ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/10 "2019-04-18T16:12:44Z")
[http://www.truebner.de/smt50](http://www.truebner.de/smt50) > **[Kapazitiver High End Bodenfeuchtesensor Truebner SMT50 - inkl. Temperaturmessung 3,3 V Arduino, Raspberry Pi und Siemens Logo: Amazon.de: Gewerbe, Industrie & Wissenschaft](https://www.amazon.de/Kapazitiver-Bodenfeuchtesensor-Truebner-SMT50-Temperaturmessung/dp/B07KRFVLZS)** > > EUR 75,90 ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 9:41am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/11 "2019-04-19T09:41:38Z")
_related info_ > **[Welcome to FERTINNOWA! - FERTINNOWA](https://www.fertinnowa.com/)** > > In European countries, the cultivation of fertigated crops frequently suffers from a scarcity of water, and the intensity of cultivation poses significant potential risks to water quality. The main objective of the FERTINNOWA thematic network is to... ---
**Author:** ![suendermarkus](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/suendermarkus/32/44037_2.png) [@suendermarkus](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/suendermarkus)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/12 "2019-04-19T20:24:30Z")
Looks good @andrewl, I am searching for similar… if I may ask, where did you order them? ---
**Author:** ![cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/cultsdotelecomatgmai/32/35697_2.png) [@cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/cultsdotelecomatgmai)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:26am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/13 "2019-04-20T08:26:59Z")
Hi @suendermarkus, this sounds similar to the Sensoterra units that I’m using for agri customers on LoRaWAN/TTN. [https://www.sensoterra.com/](https://www.sensoterra.com/) ---
**Author:** ![andrewl](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/andrewl/32/37697_2.png) [@andrewl](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/andrewl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/14 "2019-04-20T15:29:26Z")
If you’re looking for the Sentek probe then probably best to locate your country dealer for them. I got mine sent to be by a client for the development. Andrew ---
**Author:** ![suendermarkus](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/suendermarkus/32/44037_2.png) [@suendermarkus](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/suendermarkus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/15 "2019-04-20T18:01:50Z")
Cool, thanks a lot @cultsdotelecomatgmai those look really interesting, too! I asked them for a quote. So I take it you had good experience with those? Are they costing much? ---
**Author:** ![cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/cultsdotelecomatgmai/32/35697_2.png) [@cultsdotelecomatgmai](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/cultsdotelecomatgmai)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 9:26am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/16 "2019-04-21T09:26:41Z")
Hi @suendermarkus, my colleague purchased them so I don’t know the exact price but it was not expensive. We like them for a number of reasons: - They seem to produce good data for various depths. - The only installation tool that you need is a big hammer. This might sound like a joke but works very well with the farming community. - The data is presented on their sophisticated dashboard but is also available via an API for integration into other systems. ---
**Author:** ![CHaanstra](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/chaanstra/32/21072_2.png) [@CHaanstra](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/CHaanstra)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/17 "2019-04-21T14:42:43Z")
Hi, I’m working on something for the argitech, maybe you can contact me for more info. - Measuring soil moisture and also other sensors that are special for farmers ---
**Author:** ![piechade](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/piechade/32/25844_2.png) [@piechade](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/piechade)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/18 "2019-04-21T19:29:49Z")
I just started my Bonsai growing experiment with The Things Network consisting of Hardware: - TheThings Uno - Soil moisture sensor SMT50 by Truebner - Bonsai seedlings from Banggood - Bonsai soil - Pot Software: - TTN client written in node.js - Influx - Chronograph The idea is to improve growing by keeping the soil moisture content at an appropriate level. I will keep you updated with my growing experiment. ![IMG_20190302_161809](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/0/1/017e8d1a3fbe253302ff650fadb22fe82f406172.jpeg) [https://dvs-beregnung.de/kapazitiver-bodenfeuchte-sensor-inkl-temperaturmessung-truebner-smt50-arduino](https://dvs-beregnung.de/kapazitiver-bodenfeuchte-sensor-inkl-temperaturmessung-truebner-smt50-arduino) [https://www.banggood.com/!de/20Pcs-Japanese-Cedar-Semillas-Bonsai-Seeds-Rare-Tree-Seeds-for-Home-Garden-p-1134763.html?rmmds=myorder](https://www.banggood.com/de/20Pcs-Japanese-Cedar-Semillas-Bonsai-Seeds-Rare-Tree-Seeds-for-Home-Garden-p-1134763.html?rmmds=myorder) ---
**Author:** ![tvloon](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/tvloon/32/20484_2.png) [@tvloon](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/tvloon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 6:07am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/19 "2019-04-22T06:07:02Z")
Nice project … I did some experimenting with cheaper probes and those always failed to give good readings after several weeks … And those probes look beter … > > DIY [page about the probe that i used …](http://aquapoeder.nl/?page_id=188) ---
**Author:** ![MariaTTN](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/mariattn/32/35697_2.png) [@MariaTTN](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/MariaTTN)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 7:30am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/20 "2019-04-22T07:30:26Z")
I draw the same conclusion after trying many sensors. The very low cost sensors are not durable and the professional sensors are very expensive. A sweet spot is the SMT50. There is a SMT100 as well widely used for scientific applications (hydrology, agriculture, civil engineering) but too expensive for my low cost irrigation system. A nearby nursery uses the AquaFlex by Truebner in rockwool for tomato growing, strange that they do not use real soil anymore, its more like industrial production. ---
**Author:** ![martin\_schilliger](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/martin_schilliger/32/30274_2.png) [@martin\_schilliger](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/martin_schilliger)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083/21 "2019-04-22T18:21:24Z")
**We’re tracking temperatures (looking for frost) to protect our cherry trees now in spring.** We monitor the deepest part of the orchard, because the cold air flows downwards. And if temperatures go below zero we start water irrigation and fire big candles until the sun comes up and starts to heat the orchard again. I built [a website](https://www.burelade.ch/wetter/) where we can watch temperatures from the phone through the night. The code of the node [you can find here](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/dragino-lora-shield-with-lmic-and-1-wire-sensor-problem/24412), it still has a problem but is working for the season now. 😊 If you’re more interested in what my brother is doing on the farm, [the Swiss TV was there](https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/frost-laesst-bauern-bibbern) (Swiss German only) two years ago, where the frost damage was nearly 95% (!). > ![19](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/3X/e/d/ed0d70a497937730b6a755cef9b71f98a4cfb556.jpeg) > An image of the irrigation system [Next page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/agriculture-anyone-doing-this-what-how-why/25083.md?page=2)