Watering Systems

Morning All

I have been sourcing a watering system to enable me to water hanging baskets and a sundry of pots and containers i have whilst i'am on holiday this year, so far it appears the Hozelock type has the best reviews, any advice from those who may of used or have one installed will be much appreciated .........

I do realise its only March ........  but here's hoping we get a bit of sun this summer pleeeeease.

I did extensive 'research' on this over the last few months, hozelock make nice systems but they are limited and expensive. Far easier to make your own to exactly the specification you require.

this to attatch to outside tap (if you plan on running several lines

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/watering-irrigation/hoses___accessories/-specificproducttype-connectors/Hozelock-4-Way-Tap-Connector-Yellow-Grey-9218630?skuId=9228329

13mm irrigation hose

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/watering-irrigation/irrigation_systems/-specificproducttype-irrigation_hoses/Hozelock-25-Metres-13mm-Supply-Hose-Black-10767516?skuId=11258222

then one of these kits (can be picked up in wilko or cheapo shops for a few quid normally.

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/watering-irrigation/irrigation_systems/-specificproducttype-complete_irrigation_systems/Hozelock-Mini-Watering-Kit-15-Blk-Black-10767557?skuId=11258263

then u need a basic watering computer, the simple ones are about 30 quid.

here's a vid of how to set it up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjQ_Y1ZAHos

You can add all sorts of different types of drippers, depending on what style of watering you want to achieve.

http://search.diy.com/search#?p=Q&lbc=diy&uid=162391743&ts=ajax&w=irrigation&af=type%3aproducts%20%20&isort=score&method=and&view=grid&cnt=300

Yes expensive if you buy from B&Q, but you can source lots of this stuff cheaper around the net. You also will be able to tailor the system precisely to your needs. If you look at professional systems, you will notice they tend to always use 13mm hose rather than 4 mm. This is because the 4mm can block much easier, if you use the 13mm as the 'feeder' pipe then individual 4mm piping, you have better control and also if there is a blockage, it's only on one dripper. The 13 mm pipe can also be used directly on beds with drippers inserted straight into the 13mm pipe.

Hope that gives you some food for thought.

Brummiben ,unfortunately my auto basket watering system only extends to half an inverted water bottle connected down through the soil into a small tub with thin cut off toweling in the soil acting as wicks and it works, haven't got a patent for it yet but might right off to The Dragons or maybe not ,seriously iv not seen a good one at a reasonable price yet but I'm following your thread so good luck matey

Alan4711 

Ben,

Last year I tried to set up a system but using all thin tube. I found that water didn't get through to all plants. Would I be better changing to 13mm tube?

What is the maximum number of drippers that could be run off one pipe?

Thank you for your detailed info on this.

use the 13mm tube as your supply, it's the beauty of drip irrigation, you need no water pressure, well hardly any! In answer to your question Bev, it's going to be trial and error. Your mains pressure is unique to you, so you need to experiment to find what drips at the right rate. Then it's just a question of sticking the watering computer on before!

Morning Ben

Had a good look at the watering systems on the net last night, i didn't realise there were so many bits and pieces that you could purchase !  would you just recommend the 13mm pipe and some drippers oh and a water computer ?

Well the 4mm pipe and dripper kits are very easy and cheap to get hold of, certainly not £20, and they are pretty much all the same quality, ie cheap. I personally would be using the 13mm as a supply and then run the 4mm off the supply line. You can just put holes or attach drippers on the 13mm line, but this is better for using in beds and borders. If you wish to water baskets, troughs and pots, using the supply pipe with 4mm offshoots is the better way. Also gives you a great deal of flexibility. I'm hoping that once my system is sorted, I'll only be doing feeding watering once a week. Last year even though it was raining, it was still taking me maybe an hour and a half to water all my pots etc every day.

'Always a pleasure and never a chore' as they say! Whereabouts in Brum you from?

Harborne myself

Thank you, BrummieBen, I have never before understood how to do this. I'm going to set up a system within the next couple of weeks, ready for our first week away in the caravan!

I bought a container watering kit from www.blueskieswatersystems.co.uk its currently on sale. the kit had all i needed to water my patio pots. I found it easy to install and adaptable, as i change my pot layout every year. They have all the extra bits and i found them cheaper than Hozeloc.