{"title":"Grow Base Kit by Pimoroni","handle":"grow-base-kit-by-pimoroni","url":"/products/grow-base-kit-by-pimoroni","description":"A Raspberry Pi-powered plant monitoring system that tracks moisture levels across up to three pots, alerts you when plants need water, and can even automate watering with optional pumps. The kit centres around the Grow HAT Mini, a compact add-on board with a built-in LCD, buttons, buzzer, and light sensor.\n\nThree capacitive moisture sensors connect via JST cables — capacitive design resists corrosion far better than resistive sensors. On the back of the HAT, three MOSFET-switched outputs let you control low-current 5 V devices such as pumps, valves, or lights. A breakout-compatible header allows additional I2C sensors to be added.\n\nKey Features\n\n\nGrow HAT Mini – 0.96″ IPS LCD (160 × 80), four buttons, piezo buzzer, and LTR-559 light sensor\n\n3 Capacitive Moisture Sensors – Corrosion-resistant PFM output sensors with labelling area\n\n3 Switched Outputs – MOSFET-controlled 5 V outputs for pumps, valves, or lights\n\nI2C Breakout Header – Add additional sensors and peripherals\n\nNight Mode – Light sensor suppresses buzzer alerts at night\n\nPython Library – Full plant monitor application with on-HAT UI\n\n\nGrow HAT Mini Specifications\n\n\nDisplay – 0.96″ IPS LCD, 160 × 80 pixels\n\nButtons – 4 tactile buttons\n\nAudio – Piezo buzzer\n\nLight Sensor – LTR-559 light and proximity sensor\n\nMoisture Connectors – 3× JST SH 3-pin\n\nSwitched Outputs – 3× Picoblade 2-pin with MOSFETs (5 V, low current)\n\nFormat – Mini HAT, fully assembled\n\nCompatibility – All 40-pin header Raspberry Pi models\n\nDimensions – 66 × 31 × 10 mm (including header)\n\n\nMoisture Sensor Specifications\n\n\nType – Capacitive with Pulse-Frequency Modulation output\n\nFrequency Range – ~2 Hz to ~30 Hz\n\nDimensions – 99 × 10 × 5 mm (including connector)\n\n\nIdeal For\n\nAutomated plant care and smart greenhouse projects\nEnvironmental monitoring with Raspberry Pi\nSTEM and classroom projects\nDesktop garden monitoring systems\n\n\nPackage Contents\n\n1× Grow HAT Mini\n3× Capacitive Moisture Sensors\n3× Moisture Sensor Cables (35 cm)\n\n\n\nNote: Raspberry Pi, seeds, pumps, and tubing are not included. The moisture sensors can also be used with non-Raspberry Pi devices (such as Arduino) capable of monitoring pulses in the ~2–30 Hz range. If using with a Raspberry Pi Zero, a 40-pin header must be soldered on.\n\n\nResources\n\nGetting Started Tutorial\nAuto-Watering Tutorial\nPython Library (GitHub)\nHAT Pinout\nSchematic (PDF)\nLTR-559 Light Sensor Datasheet\n","vendor":"Little Bird","product_type":"physical","in_stock":true,"options":[],"variants":[{"id":2181,"title":"Default Title","sku":"PR-PIM510","price":67.86,"compare_at_price":0.0,"on_sale":false,"in_stock":true,"available_quantity":3,"option1":"Default Title"}]}