Automatic plant watering – how it works

Today’s busy lifestyles mean that we always seem to be on the go, with less and less time to keep on top of domestic tasks. However, modern technology leaves us no excuse for neglecting plants, thanks to the many different models of automatic plant watering systems available.

Whatever your irrigation requirements, you’ll find a system that is suitable for your house or garden and that will keep your plants healthy and happy while you’re at work or play. So even when you’re busy many miles from home, your plants can be equally busy producing glorious foliage and flowers – not to mention tasty fruit and veg.

Different types of automatic plant watering

So which is the best type of watering system for your plants? Well, that really depends on the size of your garden or the number of house plants you want to irrigate, and – of course! – the budget that’s available to you.

Deluxe plant watering systems have a large tank capacity, which means they can water up to 14 indoor plants automatically for up to two weeks – ideal if you’re planning a holiday abroad and don’t want to trouble neighbours or family.

Top of the range outdoor systems can be relatively complex, comprising 20m or more of distribution tubing, plus a host of support stakes, inline drippers, plugs, valves and tee pieces, all of which have to be installed in the appropriate places to ensure that you get water regularly and reliably to all the plants you want irrigated.

Timing devices can be installed to control the period of irrigation, whether by one central sprinkler system or numerous smaller nozzles.

At the lower end of the price scale, there are also less complex, cheaper plants watering options.  For example, you can purchase a special hose that has small perforations, allowing water to escape under low pressure in tiny amounts, thus keeping your plants continuously hydrated in a simple and inexpensive way.

Water butt automatic plant watering systems

Save water, but still water your plants!  How? By using a water butt to gather rainfall and water from overflow pipes, then channelling the water collected to your garden plants during dry spells.

Simply connect a low pressure, slow-release pipe to your water butt, or install a water butt pump for an easy, low-maintenance solution to automatic plant watering.