Not sure if you're in a legal state or not but if I were growing commercially and legally I wouldn't dream of doing it without an automated system. And, the Arduino is definitely the way to go. The Arduino has data sensors that will monitor every environmental variable imaginable. They have sensors that will not only monitor moisture in the soil but they will also monitor the pH, the temperature and even the conductivity of your water (if you're doing hydro).
Then, it uses electronic valves and pumps to provide water as needed, change temperature, increase or decrease light, wind or whatever. You could even use a small robot arm to mix nutes and do other small manual tasks...... all using your cellphone (if desired).
They have sensors for light (lumens and spectrum monitoring), air, CO2, temperature, wind direction, etc, etc. You name it, they have an Arduino module that does it. They even offer a hydroponics kit that has all this stuff in it already.
And, the best part, is that it is all open source projects so prices are low low and support is high high. One would probably need the right kind of brain to put it all together and make it all work right but there are a lot of people who are more than capable.
Do a Google of "Arduino Garden" and you'll see all kinds of cool stuff.
If you're in California, provide me a place to park my RV and I'll come out and spend a few months setting it all up for you.
I am headed that way some time this year and I am going to need a place to park. LOL
Check out this RV I am going to see tomorrow. This is a new line of very small RV's, just made for a man and his dog. LOL This one is only 25' overall. That's only a few feet longer than my car. Yet, look at the room. Very cool .......