A garden irrigation system can be an exceptionally handy, and actually water-saving, way of getting water to your plants. Garden drip irrigation systems deliver water to your soil and plants at specific times of day, without much input from yourself. Here's how they work.
The best garden irrigation system for your garden
Gardena micro garden irrigation system
This is a starter set that measures 50 metres and you'll need to purchase extra heads or 'end products' such as sprinklers, drip pipes, or extra pipe and valve connectors that you might need according to the size and layout of your garden. This also doesn't come with the controller panel, so you have the option to start with this and see how you get on. If it works, then there's no need to invest in more elements, or if you'd like a bit more automatic control, then all of the micro drip components from Gardena will fit your system
MIXC garden irrigation system
This garden irrigation system includes 226 feet of tubing with a connector that enables dividing water into 16 different streams. There are also three types of sprayers, a misting nozzle, holes from a drip emitter and a sprinkler. There's no timer included in this box, so you might want to consider investing in one, otherwise this option will only work when you manually turn on the tap. But the length and the added extras make this a clever investment.
Claber Rainjet Terraces Garden Irrigation System
A battery powered option, which is geared for watering potted plants for up to 35 pots. Included are adjustable drippers with a pressure water speed of 40 litres per hour. There are also 35 support stakes, 35 two way connectors, 10 end plugs, three elbow connectors and the timer too. There are 15 pre-set programmes to work from. A very reliable option, that will also work for rows of plants as well as pots.
Solar Watering Automatic Watering System
One of the easier on the wallet options, this garden irrigation system has multiple functions controlled from an automatic control pack that is powered by solar energy or USB charing. You can use this system for house plant watering and there's 10 water droppers, so space for ten pots, or plants, alongside ten connectors too. We like the idea of this being easy to use with its LED screen pack and the power coming from the sun too. A smart option that would look discreet in your home.
Blumfeldt Greenkeeper Garden Irrigation System
- Buy now from Mano Mano (£89.99)
This Blumfeldt drip irrigation system comes with a control unit that can be manually set up to work to your number of days and minutes. Included are two hoses, 31 connectors, 60 dropper pipes and there's a flow speed of 8 l/min. We estimate you can water up to 60 plants with this drip irrigation system, which probably would work best on a balcony. You don't need to connect this to a tap, it can pump a water bucket or water butt.
WOWLED automatic drip irrigation system
This nifty little number is a self watering system mainly for indoor plants or conservatory or greenhouse plants. It comes with 14 T connectors, the pump device, the hose, and 15 drip emitters. The system can be set to water automatically or manually and watering can be set between 5 to 55 seconds or 1 minute to 59 minutes and the interval can be set between 1 to 23 hours, or 1 to 30 days. You will need to buy batteries as they aren't included in the package.
Plant watering devices
One of the simplest and cheapest options on this list and obviously the extent to this does not stretch further than a plant at a time, but this drip water system could be an easy option if you are heading out on holiday and have no one to water your precious plants. You pop the screw top over the plastic bottle, turn upside down and pop is into the soil next to the plant. Simple. Not much setting up and no tools required. You can manually adjust the flow rate and speed of water sharing according to the length of your holiday.
USB garden irrigation system
A USB powered automatic drop watering system for indoor plants. A different drip watering system to those for outdoors, but a great option for house plant watering or balcony gardens while you're off on holiday and have no one to care for your plants. You can set the water to come on at a specific time (anywhere between 1 and 10 days, for 1 to 90 seconds). Included in the box is a connection joint, a filer, the main hub device, drip arrows and one two metre water pipe. This is a value for money option, which isn't to be left out in the garden indefinitely but which could save you worry and time for certain areas of your garden.
What is a garden irrigation system?
An irrigation system is basically any way of getting water to your garden. So that could be via a hose, sprinkler, or even - if you wanted to be pedantic about it - a good old fashioned watering can. But a garden drip irrigation system differs from all of those options in that it takes water directly from the water source to the roots of the plants you want it to, often automatically, and sometimes manually. Connected to a tap, or other water source, a drip irrigation system is a system of tubes with little holes that allow drips out where you'd like them on the soil.
Many people find that drip irrigation systems are the most efficient for vegetable gardens, flowers and trees, but they are also good for pots and balconies and they can save effort and water.
Have you seen our round up of indoor Smart Gardens?
How to install a garden irrigation system
Most garden drip irrigation systems are set up by you, with the help of some YouTube advice and advice from manufacturers. Initially, the most important thing about installing, however, is before you actually order the drip irrigation system. You need to map out your garden, or plants you want watering, and plan your network of tubes and hoses, what's reachable, what isn't and how close things are to a water source. Once you've worked out how long you need your tubing to be and what you exactly want it to water, you then need to choose what sort of timer you want. There are battery options, as well as wind-up or solar. This means you can set the tap to come on at specific times of the day and you don't even have to be around.
Do garden irrigation systems save money?
There is an initial cost on purchase, of course, which is usually higher than your average watering can or hose, but with the amount of water you could save, plus time and effort, it's likely worth it in the long run.
Can I use garden irrigation systems on all of my garden?
This depends a little on what type of garden you have, how close things are to a water source, and what sort of crops you are using. You might assess your garden and decide drip irrigation won't work for you because the network of tubes will be too obvious on your paths or connecting areas. Plus not all crops are suitable for drip irrigation.
Downsides to garden irrigation systems
The main downsides are
- Potential for waterlogging soil
- Initial cost
- Bound by where your tap is in the garden
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