 }
 
 // read BME280 sensor data
-byte readBMESensor() {
+int readBMESensor() {
   double currentTemperature = 0;
   digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
   currentTemperature = bme.readTemperature();

}

// read soil sensor data
byte readSoilSensor1() {
  unsigned int currentSoil1 = readSoilSensor(soilSensor1);
  int soilDiff = currentSoil1 - soil1;
  soil1 = (currentSoil1 + soil1) / 2;

  if (soilDiff > 100) {
    return 1; // indicate soil increase above threshold
  } else if (soilDiff < 100){
    return 2; // indicate soil decrease above threshold
  } else {
    return 0; // indicate normal reading
  }
}

int readSoilSensor(int soilSensor) {
    unsigned int val = 0;
    digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(soilPower, HIGH); //turn sensor power on
    delay(10);
    val = analogRead(soilSensor);
    digitalWrite(soilPower, LOW); //turn sensor power off
    delay(190);
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
    return val;
}

void dumpSerial() {

    // read sensor data
    if (lastMeasurement > MEASUREMENT_RATE) {
      int bmeSensorStatus = readBMESensor();
      delay(200);
      int soil1SensorStatus = readSoilSensor(soilSensor1, soil1);

      // calc overall sensor status
      sensorStatus = bmeSensorStatus; // TODO
