Top 5 Irrigation System Providers in the UK
A thriving allotment or kitchen garden is the pride of all plant lovers and allotment growers. However, maintaining an allotment or garden is not for the faint of heart. You need to put in a lot of effort, from mulching and composting to regular watering and weeding.
Apart from watering, everything else needs to be done once or twice a month. However, maintaining the optimal moisture level requires almost scientific precision. Why? Too much water can cause the soil to become waterlogged, leading to reverse osmosis in the roots (osmosis is how roots absorb nutrients from the soil). Overwatering can cause young stems to become mushy, leaves to turn yellow, or even attract fungus gnats.
Inadequate watering can also be detrimental, leading to leaf wilting and stunted growth.
Smart irrigation systems have emerged as a popular solution for growing enthusiasts and even professional growers. Even if you are unable to visit your allotment or away on a holiday, these sensor-based watering systems will ensure your plot is well-hydrated and thriving.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 irrigation system providers in the UK that can help you automate your watering schedule across all seasons.
1. Harvst
Harvst offers sensor-based irrigation systems for allotment growers. These sensors automatically detect the temperature and water your plants accordingly. You will also be notified remotely through their app, even when you are away from the allotment, about temperature change or if the water tank is empty.
With Harvst’s advanced technology in smart automatic irrigation systems, growers spend less time watering and use less water. You can choose the solar-powered irrigation system if you lack a power supply in your allotment or greenhouse. This is a sustainable option that charges the battery with solar power, providing 10 minutes of water time and delivering up to 120 litres.
This is a UK-based product made for the world, and you can select between the two popular options:
1. WaterMate Mini– It is priced between £314.99 and £349.99. It comes with a 10W solar panel; you can also use 240V mains power on overcast days. This model supports 40 drippers or 12 sprayers and runs from a garden hose or a water butt.
2. WaterMate Pro– It is priced between £349.99 and £399.99. This high-capacity automatic irrigation system is suitable for greenhouses, polytunnels, or allotment plots measuring 40 sq m. This model supports 120 drippers or 40 sprayers and has dual watering zones for improved versatility and capacity.
2. Autopot
Don’t have a power source in your allotment? With Autopot watering systems, you don’t need a power source; they rely solely on gravity to water. This energy-efficient system doesn’t require any mains water pressure, a pump, or a timer, and is a low-maintenance, zero-wastage solution.
Autopot reduces run-off and recirculation, making it an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional watering schedule. Depending on the number and size of containers, you can choose from 15-litre modules up to 35- or 50-litre modules.
In Autopot watering systems, control is returned to the plants, not determined by external factors or human intervention. The system responds to plant requirements; once the nutrient or water is used up, a fresh refill is provided. No more worrying about overwatering or underwatering.
3. Gardena
Gardena offers an extensive range of watering systems that make it super easy for growers to water their plants. The brand has almost five decades of experience in gardening innovation. It has a wide range of irrigation systems, including hose connectors, garden hose, spray guns and nozzles, sprinklers, and micro-drip systems.
The micro-drip system helps deliver water directly to the plant roots, reducing waste and runoff. The system automatically monitors weather conditions and can regulate plant hydration, allowing your plants to survive even when you are away.
Gardena has, over the years, emerged as a convenient and sustainable solution, which can be easily used for watering containers/pots, raised beds, vegetable beds, and more.
Even when you lack access to an external tap or a power socket, the micro-drip system works using solar-powered solutions.
4. Irrigatia
The Irrigatia watering system is best suited for a wide range of growing spaces, including greenhouses, green walls, allotments, hanging baskets and raised beds. This is an entirely sustainable solution that isn’t dependent on an electricity source or a tap, but is powered by solar energy.
The Irrigatia watering system waters plants every three hours. It is weather-responsive and solar-powered, meaning the water schedule can be adjusted in response to local climatic conditions. The Irrigatia system uses almost 90% less water than when using a hose.
You can choose from the following options depending on your requirements,
• SOL-C12L for small gardens
• SOL-C24 L for medium gardens
• C60 for extensive gardens and greenhouses
• C120 is used for watering borders and allotments
• C130 for extensive gardens, borders, allotments and polytunnels
5. Hozelock
Hozelock’s automatic watering system keeps your plants hydrated without any hassle or stress while reducing water waste. Founded in 1959, the brand was created by gardeners, for gardeners.
Using the Hozelock irrigation system, you can automate watering your plants while reducing water waste by almost 90%. You can choose from an extensive range of automatic watering kits, from an easy drip micro kit to a 25 pot kit.
The kits are easy to install, the design is highly discreet and efficient, and they are easily adaptable to different growing conditions. The watering kits also come with preset programmes that let you schedule watering from once a week to four times a day. You can also use Hozelock’s watering system even during the hosepipe ban phase.
In Conclusion
Water is essential for plant health and getting a good yield. Using automatic irrigation systems reduces water wastage while ensuring the soil is well-hydrated, allowing plants to thrive during intense summer heat, overcast winters or even when you are away for a few days.
All the irrigation system providers offer their own unique advantages, and you can choose one that suits your budget and allotment requirements.
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