22.06.2023
Whether gardeners are growing vegetables in raised beds or flowers on balconies or in beds, perfectly precise drip irrigation can keep gardens going nicely even during dry spells. Irrigation systems – the smart ones are best – can easily be adjusted to specific requirements.
There is a temptation to simply turn off the tap when there is a dry spell, but that does not do gardens any good. It is important to remember all the benefits gardens bring people and the plants. Plants provide shade, store CO2 and regulate the temperature. Respecting the local conditions when choosing what to plant promotes biodiversity, encouraging more wildlife to seek shelter and sustenance in the garden. If a garden is abandoned during dry spells, all these benefits are lost. When it does eventually rain, the dry ground will not be able to absorb the water as effectively as normal and there will be a greater risk of flooding. There are plenty of reasons for gardeners to make sure they are consistently giving their garden what it needs.
So is it possible to water while keeping a garden happy during that time? Gardeners can achieve this balance with technology by their side. Smart garden systems can take care of the basics like mowing and watering, leaving gardeners with more time to enjoy their green spaces.
Automated and precise
Drip irrigation provides plants with water where they need it, while minimising evaporation and preventing overwatering and waterlogging. Correct irrigation ensures that the nutrients remain in the soil close to the plants’ roots, rather than being washed away into deeper soil layers or even into the groundwater. Another benefit is that the system deters weeds, as the available water is largely absorbed by the cultivated plants and flowers. With automated or even smart drip irrigation in place, gardens can really thrive. A study carried out by the Institute of Horticulture at the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences confirmed this.1
In combination with the GARDENA smart system, watering and lawn care can be taken care of in one. Garden owners can use the free GARDENA smart app to schedule and control garden irrigation and maintenance directly from their smartphones. To provide plants with the best possible care, the app makes use of the sensor data as well as local weather reports. Watering schedules can also be adapted to allow for the sunrise and sunset times changing drastically throughout the season.
A system for any garden space
Ever since the GARDENA Micro-Drip-System was released back in 1990, it has been seen as a precise and innovative watering solution. This classic product was updated ahead of the current gardening season to ensure that future generations of gardeners will be able to give their gardens what they need. For Carina Horwath, drip irrigation product manager at GARDENA, the highlight of the system is that it makes it easier to water precisely. “This clever system provides so many benefits. And there is nothing complicated about it. It is now even easier to plan and install the system, which is flexible enough to be extended. Gardeners can save themselves time and have fun in the process,” says Horwath. “There is a starter set suitable for every garden set-up, so the system can be put to use even faster – whether it is on a balcony, on a terrace or in a front garden.”
All components – old and new – are compatible with each other. The new colour-coding system makes it even easier to get set up. In case of doubt, the GARDENA Micro-Drip-System Advisor is on hand to find the right watering solution for any situation based on the understanding that every area in a garden has different conditions and requirements.
Precise watering
Plant pots on balconies and terraces need more water than beds and bushes because there is less soil to absorb and store moisture in pots. The GARDENA Drip Irrigation Terrace Set can take care of up to 30 pot plants with different watering needs on a terrace.
Flower and vegetable beds are much bigger spaces that are home to all different kinds of plants. Special sets are available for rows of plants and vegetables. They can be used to water shrubs, flower beds and sensitive plants like tomatoes or herbs across an area of up to 15 square metres directly at the roots – either under or above the ground. When it comes to larger beds, spray nozzles come in handy, with their fine mist ensuring that watering is evenly distributed.
More information on clever watering routines can be found at www.gardena.com/cleverwatering. For more information about the GARDENA smart system, please visit www.gardena.com/smartsystem.
1 Study showcases: Richer harvest and healthier plants through automatic irrigation - GARDENA | Online Press Center (media-gardena.com)
About Gardena
For over 50 years Gardena has provided everything passionate gardeners need. The broad assortment of products offers innovative solutions and systems for watering, lawn care, tree and shrub care and soil cultivation. Today, Gardena is a leading European supplier of high-quality gardening tools and distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Gardena is a brand of Husqvarna Group. Gardena Division has 3,110 employees worldwide. Further information on gardena.com.