In order for the plants in the garden to grow and thrive, they need water. Some more, others less, but most plants cannot survive solely on rainwater, especially on hot summer days. So sensible garden irrigation is necessary. The following article reveals which systems are available and what else you should pay attention to when watering.
“Rain in spring is more precious than oil.” (Chinese proverb)
Garden watering options
No question: watering and watering is one of the most important tasks in the garden. Various irrigation technology is available to you, making it unnecessary to lug around heavy watering cans. Tailor-made supply and irrigation systems can be put together for your own garden as required and are quite straightforward to install and operate.
Tip
If possible, buy all components from the same manufacturer, as connections, couplings, etc. are often precisely matched to one another.
Watering cans
Watering cans are ideal for watering potted plants in the home and garden
Despite all the technical possibilities, watering cans for manual watering are a must in every garden. Although they are unsuitable for large-scale irrigation, they are indispensable for reasons of individual, precise watering - for example, if certain plants in a bed need to be watered more frequently than others. Larger watering cans with a capacity of ten or twelve liters are generally more practical, but are difficult to carry and handle when full due to their weight. The weight is also relevant when it comes to the question of what material the cans should be made of: galvanized metal is heavier than plastic.
When buying a watering can, pay particular attention to the watering head: Even, fine holes on its surface are important, as this is the only way to ensure gentle and soft – therefore plant-friendly – watering. Good watering cans have a watering head surface made of thin sheet brass. In addition to the shower attachment, which is usually removable, there are also so-called wide watering attachments available on the market, which you can use to water strips of beds up to 50 centimeters wide in one fell swoop. Special shapes with extra long necks and strongly slanted watering heads can be used for sowing areas and in greenhouses.
Garden hoses
Garden hoses make watering in the garden or partial areas much easier. However, these garden tools have to withstand a lot, which is why you should buy quality products if possible - cheap hoses often break after a short time and have to be replaced. The material must definitely be UV and weatherproof, as garden hoses quickly become porous when left in the sun for long periods of time and parts of the jacket burst open. Hoses made of PVC plastic or high-quality rubber should have a fine-mesh inner fabric, which also ensures high kink resistance. You can recognize these by names such as “cross fabric insert” or “tricot fabric” in the product description. Brand manufacturers also offer guarantees of between eight and sometimes even 20 years on their garden hoses.
The common hose diameter is either 1/2 inch (13 millimeters) or 3/4 inch (19 millimeters). Which one is used depends on the required hose length, but also on the connection capacity. When planning, you must consider the following: The longer and thinner a garden hose is, the greater the friction loss and the smaller the amount of water that reaches the other end. Therefore, the following rules of thumb apply when choosing a hose:
- 3/4 inch hose for hose lengths of more than 30 meters
- at this length there is a fivefold pressure loss with 1/2-inch hoses
- d. H. the water would only come out in a trickle at the other end
- For short lengths, however, a 1/2 inch hose is sufficient
Shower attachments and watering devices
Pressure and water quantity can be adjusted with high-quality showers
There are suitable watering devices (e.g. watering rods) and shower attachments for garden hoses, which can be connected to the hose using the appropriate connectors and thus directly to the water connection. With comfortable shower attachments, for example, you can easily regulate the amount and pressure of water. With many models you can choose between spray, showers and cone or aerator jets. Attachable watering rods, on the other hand, help you to specifically water even plants that are difficult to reach. You can also use such a garden hose with a special attachment for cleaning work, for example to rinse paved garden paths.
Sprinkler
Irrigation with so-called sprinklers is suitable for both smaller and larger areas such as lawns. They are connected to a suitable garden hose and distribute the water using nozzles or spray arms. Various types of sprinklers are available from specialist retailers, each of which differ greatly in terms of their structure and intended use.
- Spray sprinkler: mostly small sprinklers for watering smaller areas and front gardens, circular spray pattern with fine water outlet for a watering area from approx.six meters in diameter, sprinklers are equipped with a ground spike and are simply inserted into the ground
- Circular sprinkler: have a distributor that rotates due to the water pressure, which distributes the water over a large circular area with a diameter of up to eight meters, particularly suitable for watering smaller lawns
- Dial dial controller: individually adjustable for different surface shapes and sizes from ten to 100 square meters, both for round and semicircular, square and rectangular garden areas
- Impulse sprinkler: also individually adjustable to full, semi or quarter circle sprinkler with an area of up to 25 meters in diameter, water movement is triggered by a swing mechanism
- Square sprinkler: available in different sizes, consist of an arc-shaped bracket of different widths (determines the spray width) with numerous nozzles, the spray direction and spray angle can be determined using adjustment buttons, for larger devices The spray strength can often be adjusted and is suitable for larger garden areas between 150 and 350 square meters
You can find tips for watering your garden with rainwater in this article:
Sprinklers
In contrast to sprinklers located on the ground surface, sprinklers are stationary pop-up sprinklers that are embedded in the ground. This makes them easier to install before laying a lawn. However, if the sprinkler is installed on an existing lawn, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Cut off the turf in narrow strips.
- Carefully lift out the pieces of grass without damaging them.
- Lay the pipes and install the sprinklers.
- Replace the sod.
Excursus
Do not set water pressure too high
Gently flowing water penetrates the ground better than a hard jet. If the water pressure is too high or the water is applied using unsuitable equipment, the garden soil is more likely to be washed away than soaked. This in turn causes the root collar of the plants to become exposed and the soil to harden over time.
Automatic garden watering
The water supply via garden and drip hoses, sprinklers and sprinklers can be controlled automatically using various tools. The simplest solution is simply to install a timer. If you want to save yourself as much work as possible, invest in an irrigation computer that allows you to automate the entire irrigation process as much as possible. For example, such a computer is connected to the ground via moisture sensors, has rain detectors and therefore waters the garden almost automatically. In this case, you only have a monitoring function, because despite everything, a technical system can still fail unnoticed. In addition, such a device will never be able to check the actual water requirements of the plants. As living beings, plants are simply too individual for that.
The selection of automatic irrigation systems for the garden is large
What water requirements do plants need?
Garden plants have very different water requirements: While some prefer to stand in a dry rock garden, others swallow canfuls of the wet. As a rule, the water requirements of garden plants can be clearly seen from their leaves: thin and soft leaves are an indication of a high moisture requirement, and large-leaved species are also often very thirsty due to the higher evaporation. Plants with thick, small, hard or hairy leaves, on the other hand, usually require less water. In addition, the actual amount of water required for garden irrigation depends on these factors:
- Bud and fruit formation: During the period of bud and fruit development, fruit trees and fruit vegetables in particular have a very high water requirement. At these times, the soil should be evenly moistened so that flowers and fruits can form and develop. A lack of water, on the other hand, often results in crop failures or small, cracked fruits. Cucumbers and zucchini, for example, become bitter in dry conditions.
- Lawn: Even a he althy, green lawn needs a lot of water and therefore needs to be watered regularly. Yellow lawns are often a sign of drought and lack of water. You should water lawns growing on clay soils about once a week in summer, while lawns on sandy soils should be watered every three to four days.
- potted plants: Basically, plants that grow in planters need more water than planted specimens. Mulch the top layer of substrate to retain moisture in the pot longer.
Excursus
Keep potted plants moist
Due to the small amount of soil in the planter, potted plants dry out much faster than their relatives in the bed. Therefore, these plants not only need more water, but also more often. However, you can reduce the evaporation rate if you ensure “cold feet”, i.e. place the planter in the shade if possible and not in direct sun. Only the plant itself needs moisture. Also note that clay pots are made of a breathable material and water therefore evaporates more quickly from them. However, this can be an advantage for sensitive plants and on hot summer days, as it prevents the root ball from overheating.
Automatic watering with clay cones
When people think of automatic garden irrigation, they immediately think of high-tech, which doesn't work without complicated equipment and timers. Of course, such a system works, but costs a lot of money and requires regular maintenance. Such ambitious irrigation systems are often completely oversized for the home garden.
But “automatic” doesn’t have to mean “high-tech”. For centuries, the so-called Olla has proven itself as a simple but useful irrigation system, for example for raised and vegetable beds. These are just two clay pots that are glued together and buried in the bed. You pour the water into the pots through a hole, from which the moisture is slowly released through the porous material into the soil.
And this is how you make an Olla:
- Take two unglazed clay pots.
- Glue their upper openings together.
- Use a waterproof glue for this.
- Close one of the drainage holes with a glued-on piece of pottery.
- Now bury the Olla in the bed so that only the top hole shows out.
- Fill water through this.
As soon as the Olla is empty, you can refill it again and again and thus ensure continuous moistening of the bed.
Other irrigation options
Not every garden is so large that you have to water it with a system consisting of sprinklers and sprinklers. Such systems release significant amounts of water and are therefore simply too large for smaller borders, perennial or rose beds. This section explains how you can sensibly water certain beds and smaller gardens.
Watering beds and borders
Special small irrigation systems are suitable for this, which work with the help of mini sprinklers or nozzles that are installed above ground and used in a targeted manner. The advantage is that the spray jet runs below the plant foliage line and therefore neither leaves nor flowers are wetted - this is an important point because watering should generally be carried out directly onto the ground. Irrigating many garden plants has the undesirable effect of promoting fungal diseases and also preventing a lot of water from reaching where it is supposed to.
The mini sprinklers or spray nozzles are mounted directly on a pipe, which in turn is attached to the ground surface using pipe holders. In general, a distinction is made between quite different nozzles that water between 90°, 180° or 360° spray angles. These mini devices release between approx. three and ten liters of water per hour per square meter of bed area.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation is a water-saving, simple irrigation system
Drip irrigation is a very water-saving method that allows you to regularly and specifically supply garden plants with valuable water. These systems can be used in row crops as well as in areas, with potted plants as well as on the balcony, in flower and perennial beds, in the greenhouse and in hedge planting. There are different options.
Drip irrigation via hoses
With the help of special irrigation hoses, you can lay an irrigation system yourself, which you simply have to turn on when necessary. For this purpose, you can lay porous pearl hoses, for example, both underground and above ground, which are particularly easy to water narrow beds and hedges. Drip hoses, on the other hand, are suitable for so-called drip irrigation, which is particularly practical for potted plants.
Advantages and disadvantages of the different irrigation hoses at a glance:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | Special features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl tube | even watering, soil does not dry out, water saving | only small amounts of water are released at once | releases many water drops at once |
| Drip hose | even watering, soil does not dry out, water saving | only small amounts of water are released at once | only releases individual drops of water at a time |
| Spray hose | releases larger amounts of water, good for larger or difficult-to-access garden areas | not suitable for all plants (due to irrigation), only above ground installation possible | also called lawn sprinkler or lawn sprinkler |
Fixed droplet system
For this drip irrigation system you need a pipe with a 1/2 inch diameter, which you connect to a basic device to reduce pressure. Connect several drippers to this – approximately 30 centimeters apart. You can choose between the following variants:
- Spray cans / rotor spray sprinklers: well suited for watering small beds
- Surface spray can: very flexible, as the spray angle and throw distance can be individually adjusted
- Row drippers: are particularly suitable for watering hedges and longer planting strips with uniform planting
Drip irrigation can also be controlled and automated using an electronic or mechanical timer. The electronic models can also be programmed for a longer period of time, so that terrace and balcony plants are cared for even on vacation or during other long absences.
Watering correctly and efficiently
One of the main mistakes when watering the garden is to instead give the plants frequent small waterings out of fear of overwatering them. However, this is fatal because this watering behavior trains the plant roots to remain shallow below the surface and is therefore dependent on a permanent supply of water. The frequent “little sips” do not penetrate deep enough into the soil so that its deeper layers remain dry.
It is better to water vigorously and less often
Instead, use the watering can less often, but don't skimp on water! Only when the moisture seeps deep into the ground will your garden plants form deeper roots - and can therefore provide for themselves better in dry times. Especially since the valuable water can be stored better in the deep layers of the soil while it evaporates quickly on the surface. Expect an average of 20 to 25 liters of water per square meter of irrigation area per week, with the amount of rain already taken into account here. Depending on the season and weather, this guideline value can of course be adjusted upwards or downwards.
Background
Never water plants from above
Another common mistake when watering the garden is watering the plants from above. Even if it's quicker this way: Most plants, especially those with dense foliage and flowering plants, don't like this kind of watering behavior at all and often react to it with fungal diseases such as sooty mold or rust. Young plants or seedlings are also at risk because they are quickly pressed to the ground by such a surge. So always pour directly onto the ground so that the leaves stay nice and dry. You can use a watering stick so that you don't have to bend down.
When is the right time to water the garden?
When it comes to watering, it's not just the “how” that matters, but also the “when”. Plants can also become sick if they are watered at the wrong time. Early morning or early morning is ideal for watering the garden during the spring and summer months. At this time it is not yet so warm that the water evaporates immediately and the garden plants can absorb it during the day when they need it.
Watering at midday, however, should only be done if the plants urgently need water. Otherwise, this point in time is counterproductive, as a large part of the valuable water evaporates before it can even seep into the ground. So you need a lot more water, which can cost a lot of money under certain circumstances. When watering in the morning, however, the water penetrates into the deeper layers of the soil and is absorbed from there by the plants.
Watering in the evening is also not recommended, as this promotes fungal diseases and also attracts hungry snails. Plants that are watered in the evening stay wet for a long time and only dry slowly, which encourages harmful fungi.
Frequently asked questions
How does the garden watering work when I'm not there?
Watering the garden can become a problem during summer vacation. While if necessary you can simply place potted plants in a bathtub with water or stick upside-down PET bottles filled with water into their substrate, the only thing left for the vegetable and ornamental plant beds is a willing neighbor or friend who waters regularly and checks whether everything is ok order is. An alternative would simply be a fully automatic irrigation system, although this can sometimes fail or not work as hoped. This can potentially cause a lot of trouble when you come back from vacation.
What is the best way to water the lawn?
Large lawns are best watered with a lawn sprinkler, which distributes around 15 to 20 liters of water per square meter during the summer months. It's best to turn these on early in the morning, before the heat gets hotter.
Are there also irrigation systems for potted plants?
If you don't want to water your potted plants so often, you can keep them hydroponically. The soilless culture is also practical when you go on vacation, because then the plants practically take care of themselves for a while.
Tip
The so-called drip irrigation not only supplies your garden plants with water, but is also suitable for potted plants.
