Automatic watering systems for garden plants offer a carefree way to water any garden. Once set up, they'll water a garden every day without the homeowner's interaction.
There are two types of systems. A drip irrigation system, which we’ll cover in more detail below, and an automatic garden watering sprinkler system.
For an automatic sprinkler system, you'll need a timer connected to an outside tap, a garden hose that connects to the timer and a sprinkler to connect to the hose. You can set up a single sprinkler or use a multi-tap connector to set up multiple sprinklers in different locations. Once set up, the timer is scheduled to automatically turn the sprinklers on at set times.
Automatic sprinkler system pros:
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It can be used to water lawns, flowerbeds and vegetable patches
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Takes the task of watering away from the user, saving them time
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Setting the system up with a timer and schedule means the garden will stay watered in dry weather, and while the homeowner is away
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Regular watering helps plants to grow healthier
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Better plant growth helps to reduce weeds
Automatic sprinkler system cons:
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It can’t be used to water greenhouses, hanging baskets or pots
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There may be some disruption in the garden while the system is set up, such as digging channels in the lawn to install sprinklers
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Sprinklers water from above, meaning more water will land on plant leaves rather than in the soil where it’s most needed
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Watering isn’t targeted to specific plants, therefore, some areas will receive more water than others
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High water usage, which could increase water bills when using mains fed water
How does drip irrigation work?
A drip irrigation system works in a similar way to a sprinkler system, except, instead of sprinkling water over a large area, the water is drip-fed slowly and gradually to individual plants.
The system is made up of many parts, and you can set up a system that's as simple or complex as needed. For example, you can start with a kit with all the necessary components to water a certain number of plants. Or you can buy components individually to set up a system tailored to the garden's needs.
Drip irrigation components include:
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A garden tap,where the flow of water starts.
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The water timerallows you to set a time and schedule to turn the system on and off.
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A pressure reducerensures only a low water pressure feeds through the system.
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The main tubecarries water through the whole system.
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Main tube connectorsare used to change the direction of the tubes or connect two or three tubes together to route water off to different places.
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Feeding tubesare smaller, thin tubes that branch off the main tube to send water to individual plants.
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Drippers, shrubblers and micro-sprinklersare the last components in the circuit that release the water. Drippers drip water directly into the soil near the root of plants and are adjustable so you can set them according to the plant and soil type. Shrubblers drip larger amounts of water, so they are suited to larger plants. And micro-sprinklers spray fine jets of water over a larger area.
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Rain sensorsare placed in an area away from the watering, where they'll be able to detect rain. They connect to the timer and turn the system off if it rains.
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Support stakescan be used to raise the tubes and feeders off the ground.
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End stoppers and hole plugsare used at the end of the main tube or to plug small holes along the length of the main tube.
Drip irrigation system pros:
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It can be used on most areas of the garden, including flowerbeds, greenhouses, pots, hanging baskets and vegetable patches
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Takes the task of watering away from the user, saving them time
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Setting the system up with a timer and schedule means the garden will stay watered in dry weather, and while the homeowner is away
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Irrigation delivers water slowly and straight to the roots, meaning less water is used overall compared to other watering methods, saving money on water bills
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Controlled, slow watering produces healthier plants
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Better plant growth helps to reduce weeds
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Reduces plant diseases caused by overwatering
Drip irrigation system cons:
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Large irrigation systems can be quite costly
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Setting the system up will take some time, although the time saved in the long run will be worth it
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Not suitable for watering lawns
