Automatic Irrigation System recommendations?
Bala
Posts: 113
Hi, Could someone recommend me a cost effective irrigation system for my small garden? Are they effective and useful?
T&M has got one which I can afford - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/garden-supplies/watering-and-irrigation/watering-system/t13019TM
Wilko has got much cheaper one without automatic control: http://www.wilko.com/hose-pipes-sprinklers+spray-guns/micro-irrigation-kit/invt/0199744
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I have a hoselock system which I have used for my patio pots for years, just remember to take the electronic timer off tap in winter. Only need new batteries from time to time. Claber do a good system too there are others. A lot depends on your budget but you won't regret it especially if you are busy working or have to go away. For some reason the best value seems to come from kits with all the pieces in, better value than buying individual bits, but it is good to buy a system that you can get individual parts for so you can expand or customise as you need.
At our previous house I also used a Hoselock system for pots and a small bed which baked in the summer.
It was excellent and did the job very well. I liked the fact that I could add to the system as I needed to or buy different types of sprinkler heads for different plants with different watering requirements. It was avery flexible system.
I hate watering (don't know why). So this system allowed me to have pots and still be lazy. It also meant I didn't have to get anyone to come in and water when we went on holiday.
The automatic controller is important if you want the pots to be watered regularly when you're not there. The more expensive controllers will allow you to choose many different watering regimes - anything from three times a day for 5 mins a time - to once a week for an hour. This means you can change the regime depending on the season and/or current weather conditions. You can even get a smart timer which you operate with an App on your phone.
If, however, you will be there most of the time and just want to make life easier (& can go and turn on the tap yourself) you probably don't need to worry about a controller at all.
If you are big on pots and low on watering time or watering enthusiasm, an irrigation system is the way to go
Our pond man is fitting an irrigation system for us - hoselock and timer from B&Q. I can't hardly wait for it to be installed, no more backbreaking watering cans. What will I do with ALL that spare time?
Yes, we have lots and lots of pots Topbird, so thanks for re-enforcing the fact that it will become much easier once the irrigation system has been installed. We had a red hot dry day on Monday and all my pots with daffs had keeled over (the daffs not the pots). I had to give them emergency water resuscitation. They are o.k. now.
Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the exact system I need. I checked amazon and hozelock site but there are too many products and I am confused which one to choose. Could you please provide me the website url for that exact product (or similar one)?
I have the Hozelock system too. Brilliant for looking after plants when I'm away, but actually now used to water automatically all the time. The difference between the Hozelock and the T&M system is that Hozelock uses 1/2 pipe as the main feed with mini pipe branching off. It's therefore potentially able to provide water over a longer distance and to more pots and baskets. Mine feeds about 40 drippers to pots and baskets, with the longest pipe feed being about 50'.
I've also used the Hozelock controller on 'leaky hose' in a new border. That saved a huge amount of effort in watering.
You might find tthis article useful for getting started Bala.
https://www.easygardenirrigation.co.uk/pages/hozelock-guide-automatic-watering
GD2 - If you're watering mainly pots I would strongly recommend getting adjustable drippers or micro-jets. These deliver different volumes of water per minute depending on how far they are opened. They can be turned on full for pots which need a lot of water and turned right down for pots which benefit from being kept on the drier side - and anything in between of course.
You won't regret the decision to go down this route
Thank you so much!
Topbird, that all makes sense, but the irrigation system has almost all been installed now and I wasn't aware of adjustable drippers or micro jets. However I will speak to man when he next comes here - see what we can do. I should have posted on the Forum when we first were thinking of installing this system - to give you and others a chance to recommend such systems. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
However this link has been very helpful for me too - thanks Bala.
The Claber system has adjustable jets if you need them. As I said before starter kits are often the most economical way to go. Check the area you need to cover -distance & or number of pots to gauge the size of the system you need.