Affordable precision soil scanning — for gardens, fields, and farms.
Precision agriculture is reshaping how we grow food, but the tools to support it are often out of reach for gardeners, smallholders, and independent farmers. High-end soil scanners from companies like Isaria Scout, Topcon CropSpec, and Trimble GreenSeeker typically cost anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000+, making them inaccessible for most people.
AgriGrow Sense was created to change that. It's a DIY handheld soil scanner that offers real, science-based soil measurements for around $250 CAD, without cutting corners. Built from a passion for gardening and a future goal of opening my own farm, AgriGrow Sense aims to make soil health tools affordable and available to everyone.
Good farming decisions start with good data. Precision agriculture helps growers:
- Use less fertilizer and chemicals, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
- Adapt to microclimates and soil differences, improving plant health.
- Increase yields and crop quality with targeted interventions.
- Support sustainability by protecting long-term soil health.
- Make smarter, more confident choices, no matter the size of the operation.
Tools like AgriGrow Sense help bring these benefits to gardens, small farms, and larger fields alike.
Getting reliable soil data isn't easy for everyday growers:
| Option | Problem |
|---|---|
| Cheap $15–$30 "4-in-1" soil meters | Poor accuracy, no real calibration |
| Mid-range testers (Bluelab, Extech, Hanna Instruments) — $150–$400 | Only measure pH and EC; no GPS, light, or UV sensing |
| Pro-grade scanners (Isaria Scout, CropSpec, GreenSeeker) — $5,000–$7,000+ | High-end, but expensive and focused mainly on canopy analysis |
AgriGrow Sense fills the gap, giving growers real multi-sensor soil insights at a practical price.
AgriGrow Sense is designed for:
- Gardeners growing in small spaces
- Urban farmers working with raised beds and rooftop gardens
- Homesteaders and smallholders managing 1–10 acres
- Farmers handling larger fields who need affordable spot-checking tools
No matter the scale, healthy soil is the foundation of success.
- Soil pH Measurement — Detects soil acidity or alkalinity through soil slurry samples.
- Soil Fertility (EC/TDS) Measurement — Estimates nutrient levels for smarter fertilization.
- Moisture Sensing — Monitors soil water content to fine-tune irrigation.
- Soil Temperature Monitoring — Tracks soil temperature for planting and growth optimization.
- Soil Color Classification — Uses color data to help identify soil types and organic matter levels.
- Visible/Infrared Light Spectrum Sensing — Gathers light data to evaluate environmental conditions.
- UV Exposure Detection — Measures ultraviolet light intensity in the field.
- GPS Mapping — Records the exact location of each soil sample.
- Live OLED Display — Shows real-time sensor readings in the field.
- USB/Bluetooth Serial Data Logging — Exports full datasets to a computer for analysis and archiving.
- Soil Health Recommendations — Suggests basic improvements (e.g., lime for acidic soil, water for dry zones).
- Sample Mapping and Archiving — Builds a GPS-tagged record of soil conditions across a field.
- Modular Expandable Design — Easily add new sensors or features in the future.
Calibration is essential for reliable soil measurements:
- pH Calibration: Using standard buffer solutions (pH 4.0, 6.86, 9.18) to set accurate pH readings.
- TDS Calibration: Adjusting based on known-concentration nutrient solutions.
- Moisture Calibration: Testing moisture sensor behavior across dry, moist, and saturated soils.
These methods match industry standard practices used in agricultural science.
While AgriGrow Sense is manually calibrated to a high standard, reaching professional grade accuracy requires independent testing. Future plans include:
- Working with agronomists, researchers, and soil experts.
- Seeking formal validation from organizations like the University of Guelph.
- Comparing AgriGrow Sense to lab-grade soil analysis equipment.
The goal is to continuously refine accuracy and reliability based on real-world testing.
| Device | Price | Key Features | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap 4-in-1 Soil Meters | $15–30 | Basic moisture and pH readings | Inaccurate, no calibration |
| Bluelab/Extech/Hanna Instruments | $150–400 | pH, EC testing | No GPS, light, or UV data |
| Isaria Scout / CropSpec / GreenSeeker | $5,000–7,000+ | NDVI crop canopy scanning | No deep soil sensing, extremely high cost |
| AgriGrow Sense | ~$250 | pH, EC, Moisture, Temp, UV, Color, GPS, Light sensing | Soil-focused; no NDVI canopy scan (yet) |
AgriGrow Sense is following a step-by-step plan:
- Phase 1: Research and Parts Selection — Completed
- Phase 2: Digital Schematic Design — Completed
- Phase 3: Breadboard Assembly and Testing — In Progress
- Phase 4: Firmware Development — Coming Up
- Phase 5: Field Testing and Calibration — Coming Up
- Phase 6: Final Assembly (Waterproof Enclosure) — Coming Up
- Phase 7: Independent Testing and Validation — Planned
- Phase 8: Software Expansion (IoT, AI/ML integration) — Planned
Current Status:
- AgriGrow Sense is currently finishing Phase 2 — preparing the digital wiring schematic before hardware assembly.
AgriGrow Sense is only the beginning. Planned future upgrades include:
- Machine Learning integration — Predict soil properties from real-world sensor data.
- Soil sample database creation — Archive and analyze soil types across different locations.
- Mobile App connectivity — View live readings and maps from anywhere.
- AI-based soil recommendations — Offer smarter nutrient management based on real data.
The long-term goal is to create a system that competes with the capabilities of devices like the Isaria Scout, without the high costs, and while brings precision agriculture to everyone.