How much water can I save with smart irrigation?

Typically 20-50% depending on your current usage. EPA WaterSense certified controllers like Rachio and B-hyve are designed to minimize water consumption.

Do Rachio and B-hyve work internationally?

Yes, both work worldwide. Weather data is fetched via internet, so location isn't an issue. You just need the appropriate voltage transformer for your region.

Can I use plant sensors for automatic watering?

Yes! Combine Xiaomi Mi Flora with a Zigbee water valve in Home Assistant. When soil moisture drops below a threshold, watering activates automatically.

What's the difference between Rachio and OpenSprinkler?

Rachio is easier to set up with an excellent app, but cloud-dependent. OpenSprinkler is 100% local and open source, but requires more technical knowledge.

How do I get Mi Flora data to Home Assistant?

Either via the built-in Xiaomi BLE integration (requires Bluetooth on HA), or via an ESP32 as Bluetooth proxy placed closer to your plants.

Can I water based on weather forecast?

Yes! Home Assistant can check weather forecast and skip watering if rain is expected. Rachio and B-hyve also have built-in rain skip functionality.

Smart Garden & Irrigation

Garden Irrigation Automation

Smart garden irrigation saves up to 50% water by using weather data, soil moisture, and intelligent schedules. Stop watering when it rains, and ensure your plants get exactly the amount of water they need.

🎯 Types of Smart Irrigation

Overview

Type	Description	Installation	Price
Sprinkler controller	Replaces existing timer	Electrical work	💰💰
Hose timer	Mounts on faucet	Simple	💰
Drip system	For raised beds/pots	DIY	💰
DIY ESPHome	Full control	Advanced	💰

What Should You Choose?

graph TD
    A[Do you have existing sprinkler system?] -->|Yes| B[Rachio or B-hyve]
    A -->|No| C[Watering type?]
    C -->|Garden hose| D[Orbit B-hyve XD]
    C -->|Drip system| E[Eve Aqua or Zigbee valve]
    C -->|DIY| F[OpenSprinkler or ESPHome]

🏆 Rachio 3 - Premium Choice

Why Rachio 3?

Price: ~$180 (8 zones)

Rachio 3 is the market leader in smart irrigation:

✅ Weather Intelligence Plus (hyperlocal weather)
✅ EPA WaterSense certified
✅ Saves up to 50% water
✅ 8 or 16 zones
✅ HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings
✅ Native Home Assistant integration
✅ Excellent app and support

Disadvantages:

❌ Requires outdoor enclosure ($30 extra)
❌ Cloud-dependent
❌ More expensive than competitors

Models:

Model	Zones	Price ~
Rachio 3	8	$180
Rachio 3	16	$230
Rachio 3e	8	$130

HA Integration

Native integration - easy setup:

# Settings → Devices → Rachio
# Use your Rachio API key

# Entities:
# - switch.rachio_zone_1
# - switch.rachio_zone_2
# - binary_sensor.rachio_rain_delay
# - sensor.rachio_daily_water_usage

# Example: Skip watering on rain
automation:
  - alias: "Skip watering on rain"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: weather.home
        attribute: forecast
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ state_attr('weather.home', 'forecast')[0].precipitation > 0.2 }}
    action:
      - service: rachio.set_rain_delay
        data:
          entity_id: switch.rachio_zone_1
          duration: 86400  # 24 hours

  - alias: "Notification on watering"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: switch.rachio_zone_1
        to: "on"
    action:
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Garden Irrigation"
          message: "Zone 1 is watering for 15 minutes"

Buy: Amazon, Rachio.com

💰 Orbit B-hyve - Best Value

Why Orbit B-hyve?

Price: ~$95 (8 zones)

B-hyve provides nearly the same features at half the price:

✅ WeatherSense technology
✅ EPA WaterSense certified
✅ Weatherproof enclosure (XR model)
✅ 6, 8, or 12 zones
✅ Alexa and Google Assistant
✅ Manual controls on device
✅ Easy app with guided setup

Disadvantages:

❌ No HomeKit
❌ Less precise weather data than Rachio
❌ Limited HA integration

Models:

Model	Zones	Location	Price ~
B-hyve	6	Indoor	$80
B-hyve	12	Indoor	$100
B-hyve XR	8	Outdoor	$120

HA Integration

Via HACS custom integration:

# HACS → Integrations → B-hyve
# Requires Orbit account login

# Entities:
# - switch.bhyve_zone_1
# - sensor.bhyve_next_watering

# Example: Water based on soil moisture
automation:
  - alias: "Water on low soil moisture"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.garden_soil_moisture
        below: 30
    condition:
      - condition: time
        after: "05:00:00"
        before: "07:00:00"
      - condition: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.rain_today
        state: "off"
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        entity_id: switch.bhyve_zone_1
      - delay: "00:15:00"
      - service: switch.turn_off
        entity_id: switch.bhyve_zone_1

Buy: Amazon, Home Depot

🔧 OpenSprinkler - DIY & Local

Why OpenSprinkler?

Price: ~$190 (8 zones)

OpenSprinkler is open source and 100% local:

✅ No cloud - full local control
✅ Open source software
✅ MQTT support
✅ Raspberry Pi version (OSPi)
✅ Advanced watering algorithms
✅ Add sensors via GPIO

Disadvantages:

❌ More complex setup
❌ No voice assistant directly
❌ Requires technical understanding

Models:

Model	Type	Price ~
OpenSprinkler 3.2	Standalone	$190
OSPi	Raspberry Pi HAT	$110
OpenSprinkler DC	9V battery	$165

OSPi Installation

Install Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS
Mount OSPi HAT on Pi
Connect 24V transformer
Connect zone valves
Install OpenSprinkler software

# Install OpenSprinkler on Pi
cd ~
git clone https://github.com/OpenSprinkler/OpenSprinkler-Firmware.git
cd OpenSprinkler-Firmware
sudo ./build.sh ospi

HA Integration via MQTT

# OpenSprinkler integration
# Settings → Devices → OpenSprinkler

# Or via MQTT:
mqtt:
  switch:
    - name: "Garden Zone 1"
      state_topic: "opensprinkler/zone/1/state"
      command_topic: "opensprinkler/zone/1/cmd"
      payload_on: "ON"
      payload_off: "OFF"

# Example: Advanced watering automation
automation:
  - alias: "Smart watering with ET"
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "05:00:00"
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ states('sensor.evapotranspiration') | float > 0.12 }}
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ states('sensor.soil_moisture') | float < 40 }}
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_1
      - delay:
          minutes: >
            {{ (states('sensor.evapotranspiration') | float * 120) | int }}
      - service: switch.turn_off
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_1

Buy: OpenSprinkler.com

🚿 Hose Timers - Simple Solution

For gardens without sprinkler systems - mount directly on faucet:

Product	Protocol	Price ~	HA Integration
Orbit B-hyve XD	Bluetooth/WiFi	$65	Via B-hyve integration
Eve Aqua	Thread/HomeKit	$100	Via HomeKit
Zigbee water valve	Zigbee	$40	Direct
Meross Smart Water Timer	WiFi	$55	Via Meross integration

Orbit B-hyve XD Example

# B-hyve integration via HACS
# Supports hose timers too

automation:
  - alias: "Water raised bed every evening"
    trigger:
      - platform: sun
        event: sunset
        offset: "+01:00:00"
    condition:
      - condition: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.openweathermap_precipitation
        below: 0.1
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        entity_id: switch.bhyve_hose_timer
      - delay: "00:15:00"
      - service: switch.turn_off
        entity_id: switch.bhyve_hose_timer

🌱 Plant Sensors

Xiaomi Mi Flora (Flower Care)

Price: ~$20

The popular 4-in-1 plant sensor:

✅ Soil moisture
✅ Temperature
✅ Light intensity
✅ Soil conductivity (nutrients)
✅ Battery (1 year+)
✅ Bluetooth → HA via ESP32 proxy

Home Assistant Integration

# Via Xiaomi BLE integration
# Auto-discovered with Bluetooth

# Or via ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy:
esphome:
  name: ble-proxy

esp32:
  board: esp32dev

bluetooth_proxy:
  active: true

# Entities in HA:
# - sensor.mi_flora_living_room_moisture
# - sensor.mi_flora_living_room_temperature
# - sensor.mi_flora_living_room_illuminance
# - sensor.mi_flora_living_room_conductivity
# - sensor.mi_flora_living_room_battery

Plant Monitor Integration

# configuration.yaml
plant:
  tomato_plant:
    sensors:
      moisture: sensor.mi_flora_tomato_moisture
      temperature: sensor.mi_flora_tomato_temperature
      conductivity: sensor.mi_flora_tomato_conductivity
      brightness: sensor.mi_flora_tomato_illuminance
    min_moisture: 20
    max_moisture: 60
    min_temperature: 59  # Fahrenheit
    max_temperature: 95
    min_conductivity: 350
    max_conductivity: 2000
    min_brightness: 2000
    max_brightness: 50000

# Automation for thirsty plant
automation:
  - alias: "Notification - Plant thirsty"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: plant.tomato_plant
        to: "problem"
    action:
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "🌱 Plant needs water"
          message: "Tomato plant has low soil moisture"

Other Plant Sensors

Sensor	Protocol	Features	Price ~
Xiaomi Mi Flora	BLE	Moisture, temp, light, nutrients	$20
ECOWITT soil sensor	433MHz	Moisture only	$20
SensorPush	BLE/WiFi	Moisture, temp (precise)	$55
ThirdReality	Zigbee	Moisture only	$20

🏠 Smart Automations

Weather-based Watering

automation:
  - alias: "Skip watering on rain in forecast"
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "04:00:00"  # Check before scheduled watering
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {% set dominated = namespace(rain=false) %}
          {% for forecast in state_attr('weather.home', 'forecast')[:2] %}
            {% if forecast.precipitation > 0.1 %}
              {% set dominated.rain = true %}
            {% endif %}
          {% endfor %}
          {{ dominated.rain }}
    action:
      - service: input_boolean.turn_on
        entity_id: input_boolean.skip_watering_today
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Watering skipped"
          message: "Rain expected - skipping watering"

Soil Moisture + Time

automation:
  - alias: "Intelligent garden watering"
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "05:30:00"
    condition:
      - condition: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.garden_soil_moisture
        below: 35
      - condition: state
        entity_id: input_boolean.skip_watering_today
        state: "off"
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ states('sensor.openweathermap_precipitation_probability') | float < 40 }}
    action:
      - service: switch.turn_on
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_1
      - delay: "00:20:00"
      - service: switch.turn_off
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_1
      - service: switch.turn_on
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_2
      - delay: "00:15:00"
      - service: switch.turn_off
        entity_id: switch.garden_zone_2

Vacation Mode

automation:
  - alias: "Vacation - Increased watering"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: input_boolean.vacation_mode
        to: "on"
    action:
      - service: rachio.set_schedule
        data:
          entity_id: switch.rachio_zone_1
          duration: 1800  # 30 min instead of 15
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Vacation mode activated"
          message: "Watering time increased to 30 min per zone"

🛠️ DIY: ESPHome Irrigation System

Simple Relay-based System

# esphome/garden_irrigation.yaml
esphome:
  name: garden-irrigation

esp32:
  board: esp32dev

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

# 4-channel relay module for valves
switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO16
    name: "Garden Zone 1 - Lawn"
    id: zone_1

  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO17
    name: "Garden Zone 2 - Flower bed"
    id: zone_2

  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO18
    name: "Garden Zone 3 - Raised bed"
    id: zone_3

  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO19
    name: "Garden Zone 4 - Hedge"
    id: zone_4

# Soil moisture sensor (capacitive)
sensor:
  - platform: adc
    pin: GPIO34
    name: "Lawn Soil Moisture"
    update_interval: 60s
    unit_of_measurement: "%"
    filters:
      - calibrate_linear:
          - 0.0 -> 100.0  # Wet
          - 3.3 -> 0.0    # Dry
      - sliding_window_moving_average:
          window_size: 5
          send_every: 5

# Auto-off after 30 min (safety)
script:
  - id: auto_off_zone_1
    then:
      - delay: 30min
      - switch.turn_off: zone_1

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter - Garden hose (~$65)

1x Orbit B-hyve XD ($65)
Total: ~$65

Raised beds/Pots (~$80)

1x Zigbee water valve ($40)
1x Xiaomi Mi Flora ($20)
Drip hoses ($20)
Total: ~$80

Sprinkler system (~$150)

1x Orbit B-hyve 8-zone ($120)
2x Xiaomi Mi Flora ($40)
Total: ~$160

Premium Smart Garden (~$350)

1x Rachio 3 8-zone ($180)
1x Rachio Flow Meter ($55)
4x Xiaomi Mi Flora ($80)
1x ESP32 BLE Proxy ($15)
Total: ~$330

🛒 Where to Buy?

Irrigation Controllers

Amazon - Rachio, Orbit B-hyve
OpenSprinkler.com - OpenSprinkler
Home Depot - Orbit, Rain Bird

Sensors

AliExpress - Xiaomi Mi Flora
Amazon - Various sensors

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

How much water can I save with smart irrigation?: Typically 20-50% depending on your current usage. EPA WaterSense certified controllers like Rachio and B-hyve are designed to minimize water consumption.
Do Rachio and B-hyve work internationally?: Yes, both work worldwide. Weather data is fetched via internet, so location isn't an issue. You just need the appropriate voltage transformer for your region.
Can I use plant sensors for automatic watering?: Yes! Combine Xiaomi Mi Flora with a Zigbee water valve in Home Assistant. When soil moisture drops below a threshold, watering activates automatically.
What's the difference between Rachio and OpenSprinkler?: Rachio is easier to set up with an excellent app, but cloud-dependent. OpenSprinkler is 100% local and open source, but requires more technical knowledge.
How do I get Mi Flora data to Home Assistant?: Either via the built-in Xiaomi BLE integration (requires Bluetooth on HA), or via an ESP32 as Bluetooth proxy placed closer to your plants.
Can I water based on weather forecast?: Yes! Home Assistant can check weather forecast and skip watering if rain is expected. Rachio and B-hyve also have built-in rain skip functionality.

📚 Next Steps

Smart Lighting

Outdoor lighting for the garden.

See guide →

Energy Management

Monitor garden water usage.

See guide →

Last updated: December 2025

Smart Garden & Irrigation

🎯 Types of Smart Irrigation

Overview

What Should You Choose?

🏆 Rachio 3 - Premium Choice

Why Rachio 3?

Installation

HA Integration

💰 Orbit B-hyve - Best Value

Why Orbit B-hyve?

Easy Installation

HA Integration

🔧 OpenSprinkler - DIY & Local

Why OpenSprinkler?

OSPi Installation

HA Integration via MQTT

🚿 Hose Timers - Simple Solution

Orbit B-hyve XD Example

🌱 Plant Sensors

Xiaomi Mi Flora (Flower Care)

Home Assistant Integration

Plant Monitor Integration

Other Plant Sensors

🏠 Smart Automations

Weather-based Watering

Soil Moisture + Time

Vacation Mode

🛠️ DIY: ESPHome Irrigation System

Simple Relay-based System

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter - Garden hose (~$65)

Raised beds/Pots (~$80)

Sprinkler system (~$150)

Premium Smart Garden (~$350)

🛒 Where to Buy?

Irrigation Controllers

Sensors

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

📚 Next Steps

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