Smart watering - keep your plants thriving this summer whether you're at home or on holiday

No matter how dedicated a green thumb you are, we all miss watering opportunities from time to time, whether it's because we're on holiday or just plain forgetful. Luckily, smart watering exists – and it can be a real timesaver (and plant-saver!).

As well as watering your plants automatically on a schedule, smart watering systems can work out how much water your plants need and adjust watering accordingly. This way, you'll never need to spend time working out how often you should water your garden in hot weather – and you won't overwater your plants in the summer, either.

'One of the most important things when it comes to watering is not quantity but quality,' says Richard Ferguson, International Marketing Manager at Hozelock UK. 'Automatic watering systems have more control and can deliver water directly to where it needs to be right at the soil level.'

Richard Ferguson

Richard is Hozelock UK's International Marketing Manager.

What is smart watering? Why should I try it?

Every year, the hot summer sunshine results in our usually hardy lawns and gardens becoming parched, meaning regular watering is required. Hosepipe bans aside, if (and when) you’re allowed to water your garden, how can you guarantee they’ll survive if not watered daily?

That’s where automated watering systems are a must-have. They'll water your plants when they need it so you don't have to.

What types of smart watering are there?

While there are plenty of individual self-watering planters on the market, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive arrangement that covers part (or all) of your garden, there are generally two types of irrigation setup to choose from: a drip or soil-based system and a smart, weather-based watering system.

How do drip irrigation systems work?

Drip irrigation systems provide water on demand. They rely on a plant’s ability to draw up exactly the amount of hydration it needs to survive. They involve running lengths of tubing along the ground from plant to plant, or from one planter to the next.

This specially designed hose features lots of individual drippers along the length that you can link up and feed into each pot so that water is delivered to each planter in one action.

The tubing is attached on the other end to a timer and the timer to an outdoor tap or a bucket of water. This will draw water out at programmed times each day or week, while the tubing features drip heads that deliver water directly to the soil. This ensures your plants get water when they need it, whether you've forgotten to water them or just need the easiest way to keep plants watered while on holiday.

'Drip irrigation systems ensure your plants can absorb the water from beneath the soil, which tends to be more effective than watering from above as there is less evaporation from the sun, reducing water wastage and leaf scorch.'

Drip systems are perfect for those with a petite plot packed with brilliant small garden ideas with plenty of planters and pots to water as they'll ensure every plant gets the water it needs. These systems are sold in a variety of sizes and you can buy add-ons as and when your garden grows.

Our smart watering picks

What are smart weather-based systems?

A step up from drip systems, smart weather-based systems again involve attaching a small timer to your outdoor tap. From there, you can attach a length of hose and a sprinkler, or combine with a drip system. Unlike a standard drip timer which switches on and off at set times, a smart timer is more sophisticated, adapting to its environment.

These systems use location and weather data to set specific watering schedules. So when it rains, it won’t water your garden. And when a stretch of dry weather is forecast, they’ll keep it perfectly hydrated.

Much like smart lighting or smart heating systems, they're connected to your phone via WiFi or Bluetooth and you operate them using an app from which you can set up a number of watering schedules. You can also use them to water your garden on cue, whenever you think it looks a bit parched, even pausing or delaying a scheduled programme.

Smart irrigation systems more efficient than watering plants by hand, too. They use just the right amount of water - no more, no less - meaning you won’t run the risk of overwatering your garden either.

'Automated watering systems and weather-monitoring and plant apps empower individuals to become expert gardeners in their own right', says Nadezdha Yaneva, gardening expert at Fantastic Services.

Who makes smart watering systems?

Systems vary from brand to brand – you can pick up a basic automatic dripper (without a timer) for as little as £23.49 from B&Q.

Hozelock has a wide range of drip kits, including the Universal Irrigation Kit which is available at Amazon, covering 15, 20 and 25 pots with timers. The brand also offers larger kits for balconies and vegetable patches, but a timer needs to be purchased separately.

Our garden expert Sarah Raven is a fan of Gardena's automated drip systems and timers. The Red Dot Design winning Smart Water Control from Gardena, available at B&Q, features six daily watering programmes that can be set to water between 1 minute and 10 hours, it also features handy in-built frost protection which will alert you when the temperature drops to just above freezing point so you can remove it before it gets damaged.

On the smart side of things, the battery operated Eve Aqua from Amazon links up to your sprinkler or a separate irrigation system. It connects to Apple Home, so as well as controlling it via an app, you can activate it by voice command if you have an iPhone or Apple HomePod.

You can also set up the times for watering to coincide with any outdoor smart lights that switch on in the evenings, making your garden super smart.

And if you don't have an outdoor tap, Gardena’s AquaBloom solar-powered irrigation set is a great choice. Not only can it work by drawing up water from a bucket or water butt, but it’s also solar powered so you never need to worry about the timer’s batteries running out.

FAQs

Is an automatic watering system worth it?

A smart automatic watering system can be a really beneficial tool in the garden.

'Automatic watering can help alleviate the stress of watering if you are away, without having to rely on family, friends, or neighbours,' says Richard from Hozelock UK.

As well as providing plants with the right amount of water when they need it, saving you time in the garden and keeping your plants healthy, they can also help to control weeds.

'As the water is directed to exactly where it needs to be, automatic watering can also help to reduce the number of weeds, as they tend to appear when there is excess moisture and gaps between the plants,' says Richard.

'What’s more, as the plants are receiving the right amount of water, this encourages new growth, minimising the growth of the weeds in the gaps as there is better plant coverage.'

Are smart sprinklers worth it?

Smart sprinklers are undoubtedly useful tools in the garden, affording you more control over your watering schedule.

'For any outdoor plants, there is now a huge range of smart sprinkler systems that can be operated from your phone, so regardless of whether you are on holiday or at work, you can still ensure your plants stay watered,' says Richard from Hozelock UK.

'The Cloud Controller from Hozelock, available at B&Q, lets you remotely water your plant for up to 60 minutes. The App is linked to a weather service to provide you with local information and notifications to alert you about changing weather patterns, so you’ll never be caught out.'

While smart watering systems are undoubtedly a great help in the summer time, you can use them year round, too. Just don't forget to disconnect them in the winter months!