Step 2 – Pick Your Spot: Find a good location for your experiment.

Pick Your Spot

[Warning: Don’t put any water in your 5-gallon bucket; we will do that later]

• Ensure the plant receives adequate sunlight; perhaps pick a spot near a south-facing window.  You could also work in a greenhouse if one is available.  If you don’t have a location with good sunlight, consider using a supplemental LED grow light.  Finally, if it’s spring or summer, you might be able to work outside (e.g., patio garden); remember to protect all your electronics from water or rain.
• Choose a location with access to wall power.  You may need to run an extension cord.  Again, if working outside, protect your extension cord connections (example).
• If possible, pick a location that will allow your system to operate undisturbed for several weeks.  Moving the system, even a small distance, often causes the soil sensor to shift in the soil, requiring another calibration!
• Optional:  Consider proximity to a Wi-Fi signal if remote IoT monitoring is desired.