Microgreens are one of the easiest and fastest crops to grow indoors. They’re packed with nutrients, grow in a small space, and can be harvested in as little as 7 to 14 days. But what if you could take it a step further and build a fully automated microgreen farm right at home — one that waters itself, lights itself, and even monitors its own environment?
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up a smart microgreen farming system using automation tools like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, LED grow lights, and irrigation controls. This setup is perfect for urban gardeners, biohackers, homesteaders, or anyone interested in growing high-quality food with minimal effort.
What Is a Fully Automated Microgreen Farm?
A fully automated microgreen farm is an indoor growing system equipped with automated lighting, watering, climate monitoring, and environmental control. Using programmable controllers and sensors, this setup reduces daily maintenance to nearly zero.
Features of an Automated Microgreen System:
- Automated watering system based on soil moisture or timers
- Grow lights controlled by daylight simulation timers
- Temperature and humidity monitoring
- Optional camera surveillance or Wi-Fi alerts
- Multi-tier rack system for growing at scale
This approach allows you to grow consistent, healthy microgreens all year long without constant oversight.
Benefits of Automating Your Microgreen Farm
- Time-saving: Eliminates the need to manually water and check lights
- Consistency: Maintains ideal conditions 24/7
- Higher yield: Prevents under or overwatering
- Scalability: Easily expand to more trays or shelves
- Smart alerts: Get notifications when something goes wrong
- Fun and educational: Great for tech-savvy growers or families
What You’ll Need: Tools & Materials
Structure:
- 3- or 4-tier metal or plastic shelf/rack
- Microgreen trays (10×20 inch or similar)
- Bottom watering trays
- LED grow lights (full spectrum, ideally with a timer)
Electronics:
- Arduino Uno/Nano or Raspberry Pi (for advanced setups)
- Capacitive soil moisture sensors
- DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor
- Relay module or MOSFET for switching lights and pump
- 5V/12V water pump (or solenoid valve)
- Reservoir container
- Tubing for irrigation lines
- Power supply, jumper wires, breadboard
Optional:
- Wi-Fi module (ESP8266/ESP32)
- Real-Time Clock (RTC) module
- Buzzer, LED, or display screen
- IP camera for remote monitoring
Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Automated Microgreen Farm
Step 1: Set Up the Growing Rack
Choose a location near a power source and preferably in a low-traffic area. Assemble your shelf or rack with enough spacing between tiers to fit trays and grow lights.
- Line each shelf with reflective material (Mylar or aluminum foil)
- Position trays on each level
- Add a bottom tray or use capillary mats for passive watering
Step 2: Install LED Grow Lights
Mount full-spectrum LED grow lights on each shelf using zip ties or brackets. Space them 4–6 inches above the trays for optimal light distribution.
You can automate lights using:
- Arduino + RTC for timed control
- Or smart plug with timer for a beginner-friendly approach
A sample Arduino lighting control code:
cppCopyEdit#include <RTClib.h>
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
const int lightRelay = 7;
void setup() {
pinMode(lightRelay, OUTPUT);
rtc.begin();
}
void loop() {
DateTime now = rtc.now();
if (now.hour() >= 6 && now.hour() < 20) {
digitalWrite(lightRelay, HIGH); // Light ON
} else {
digitalWrite(lightRelay, LOW); // Light OFF
}
delay(60000);
}
Step 3: Create the Watering System
Option 1: Soil Moisture Based Watering
Place capacitive moisture sensors in the growing medium of each tray. When dryness is detected, the Arduino activates the pump to water the tray.
Option 2: Timed Watering (Simpler Method)
Set a timer (hardware or software) to water trays once or twice daily for a few seconds, depending on need.
Basic timed irrigation code:
cppCopyEditunsigned long previousMillis = 0;
const long interval = 86400000; // once every 24 hours
const int pumpPin = 8;
void setup() {
pinMode(pumpPin, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
if (currentMillis - previousMillis >= interval) {
previousMillis = currentMillis;
digitalWrite(pumpPin, HIGH);
delay(5000); // Water for 5 seconds
digitalWrite(pumpPin, LOW);
}
}
Use a pump and tubing system to bottom-water trays. This prevents mold and reduces waste.
Step 4: Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Use a DHT22 sensor to measure air conditions. Microgreens thrive in:
- Temperature: 65°F–75°F (18°C–24°C)
- Humidity: 40%–60%
Display readings on an LCD or send them to your smartphone using an ESP32.
Code snippet:
cppCopyEdit#include "DHT.h"
#define DHTPIN 2
#define DHTTYPE DHT22
DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
dht.begin();
}
void loop() {
float h = dht.readHumidity();
float t = dht.readTemperature();
Serial.print("Temp: "); Serial.println(t);
Serial.print("Humidity: "); Serial.println(h);
delay(5000);
}
Step 5: Optional Features for Full Automation
Add an OLED display to show real-time stats
Add a Wi-Fi module (ESP8266) to send alerts via email or app
Use a camera to monitor growth remotely
Include water level sensors to alert you when the tank is low
Integrate smart plugs or Alexa for voice commands and controls
These upgrades turn your farm into a full smart-garden system.
Microgreen Growing Tips for Automated Systems
- Use fast-growing microgreens like radish, broccoli, or arugula
- Maintain even lighting by adjusting lamp height
- Clean trays and reservoirs regularly to avoid mold buildup
- Test your system with one tray before scaling to multiple levels
- Keep backup parts like sensors and pumps in case of failure
Common Issues and Fixes
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven growth | Light too far or inconsistent watering | Adjust light distance and sensor location |
| Mold or rot | Overwatering or poor airflow | Improve air circulation, bottom-water only |
| System not watering | Sensor error or pump failure | Check sensor values and power to the pump |
| Lights not turning on | Relay issue or timer problem | Test relay with manual code switch |
| Low yields | Incorrect seed density or poor medium | Use high-quality seeds and medium like coco coir |
Official Resources and Documentation
- Arduino Official Site
- Adafruit Grow Light Guide
- ESP8266 IoT Projects – Random Nerd Tutorials
- Microgreens Growing Guide – Johnny’s Seeds
- Capacitive Moisture Sensor Guide – Seeed Studio
FAQs: Fully Automated Microgreen Farm
Q: How much does it cost to build a fully automated microgreen setup?
A basic setup with automation for 2–4 trays can cost $80–$150, depending on how many sensors and features you include.
Q: Can I run the whole system off solar power?
Yes, if you size your solar system correctly for the total wattage (lights, pumps, microcontroller).
Q: What’s better — Arduino or Raspberry Pi?
Arduino is great for simple automation. Use Raspberry Pi for advanced monitoring, camera feeds, or app integration.
Q: Can I grow other crops with this system?
Yes! Leafy greens like lettuce or herbs can also thrive in this environment with slightly deeper trays and longer grow times.
Q: How often do I need to refill the water reservoir?
For 4 trays, a 5-liter reservoir usually lasts 3–5 days, depending on watering frequency and tray size.
Final Thoughts
A fully automated microgreen farm brings together gardening and smart tech to create a hands-off, productive system. Whether you’re looking to reduce food costs, eat healthier, or enjoy the satisfaction of self-sufficiency, this setup makes it easy to grow fresh microgreens year-round.
By leveraging tools like Arduino, sensors, and lighting automation, you can take control of your food supply — right from your living room, kitchen, or garage.
Ready to build your own? Get started one tier at a time — and grow from there.
