There are some major factors that shape the best choice of irrigation system which are:
- Access to water
- Size of site
- Set-up of site (raised beds or flat ground)
- Sensitivity of plants to watering levels
Access to water
If you have a tap, then most people use that. Ideally you would buy a splitter and a timer, so that you can still use the tap and then run a permanent hose from the tap as well, releasing water a set amount of time a day.
Size of site
If it’s a balcony then you can deal with a fairly small pump / pipe set-up. If its a school garden or allotment you will need something more substantial.
SEt-up
Raised beds means that you will need some way of connecting the water source to the growing area through solid piping.
Sensitivity of plants to watering levels
Seepy hoses can cover a lot of ground but if you need specific levels of water per plant then pipes and drippers is better
Options
There are three main options to chose from, depending on the factors above.
Option 1 – for small spaces without a tap
I’d go for a water butt and small solar-powered pump set.
Option 2 – for bigger spaces without a tap
I’d go for a bigger water butt (at least 1000l) and a bigger solar-powered pump set, with a seepy hose.
OR Replicate the small space set-up lots of times i.e. have a water-butt and small solar-powered pump set per raised bed.
Option 3 – for bigger spaces with a tap
I’d use the tap, get a splitter and then set up a timer / hose connector to one side of the splitter. I’d then use a solid hose / seepy hose kit.
City Dripper 