Watering Systems for the Garden

Sprinklers in use at Oxford Botanic Garden – necessary for the new grass seed being planted.

One of the challenges facing gardeners is getting sufficient water into the garden. There are different options available which have different pros and cons.

Sprinkler system / Sprinkler Host

Attached to water supply, sprinkler systems automatically spread water to a wide area ensuring a widespread coverage. However, it is somewhat wasteful as many water will go on paths e.t.c where it is not needed. There is also likely to be more evaporation as it is sent into air. This may be the best solution if you need to water a large area of new grass but for borders can be wasteful.

Leaky Pipe. A leaky pipe is a hose with a porous membrane. It means that water seeps out of pipe slowly. This means that a hose laid across a border will filter water to the soil where it is needed, at the roots of plants. Similar to a leaky pipe is a seap hose. Which is a hosepipe with a series of pin size holes, having a similar effect to a leaky pipe.

Drip System. This is one of most sophisticated and expensive systems. It is a hose with a serious of drips which can be turned on and off. This means that a pipe laid along a border can get water exactly to the plants which need it. This is very good because it enables you to discriminate between plants which need a lot of water and those which don’t thrive on excess water.

Watering Can. Hard work for anything but small gardens, it enables water to be directed exactly where needed.

See also: Watering Tips

• Watering systems at Amazon.co.uk
• Watering cans at T&M