There are various ways to ensure a successful holiday watering. In our guide, we present the possible variants and also provide you with general tips for buying an irrigation system that will allow your plants to survive the time you are away.
Drip irrigation is also a great option for vacations
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Gardena Start Set Plant Rows L: Micro-Drip garden irrigation system for gentle, water-saving irrigation of row plantings (13013-20)
EUR 51.90 To the product| kind | drip irrigation |
|---|---|
| purpose of use | garden watering |
| range of functions | medium |
| Range | 50 m |
| distance of the outlets | 30 cm |
| water flow | 4 liters per hour |
The drip irrigation from the popular Gardena brand is suitable both for holiday irrigation and for continuous use. It is one of the bestsellers on Amazon and is very popular with most reviewers. The irrigation system (€32.95) should keep what the manufacturer promises. For this type of irrigation you need a water connection in the garden - such as a water tap. You connect the drip hose to this, which has several outlets spaced 30 centimeters apart. Water continuously drips from these outlets. The practical watering system is particularly suitable for needs-based watering of hedges and beds.
our recommendation
Gardena Select watering control: and time-saving watering, flexible watering thanks to 3 schedules, Water Now function (1891-20)
40.81 EUR To the product| kind | watering machine |
|---|---|
| purpose of use | garden watering |
| range of functions | very high |
| watering duration | max 480 mins |
| Number of cycles/day | max 3 |
| watering rhythm | daily to weekly |
According to customer opinions, the top-quality and "super simple" automatic watering device from Gardena needs support in the form of a garden hose and lawn sprinkler. Then it is a fantastic helper for automatic holiday watering. It gives you the ability to schedule your lawn to be watered when you are away. To do this, you must first connect the Water Computer Select to a tap and hose and, if necessary, to a lawn sprinkler (€26.95) (thread G3/4 and G1). Then set the watering rhythm and duration individually. When the programmed time has come, the computer opens the valve - and then closes it again.
our recommendation
Blumat Classic watering system, 3 pcs.
11.35 EUR To the product| kind | irrigation cone |
|---|---|
| purpose of use | indoor potted plants |
| range of functions | medium |
| capacity | flexible |
| delivery amount | flexible |
| number of cones | 3 |
In contrast to most other watering cones, the Classic watering system from Blumat does not work with a bottle, but with a container and hose. The hose pulls the water out of the container. He forwards this to the clay cone stuck in the soil of the potted plant. The system, which is made in Austria, is extremely popular with Amazon reviewers because of its simple but effective functionality and the low price. It acts as an ideal solution if you only need to care for a few indoor or balcony potted plants during your holiday season. It also proves itself in everyday life.
Purchase Criteria
kind
irrigation cone: The simplest version of holiday watering is to put a hollow clay cone over a water-filled bottle and then stick the system upside down into the ground. Through the cone, the water flows continuously but slowly to the roots.
our recommendation
Relaxdays clay watering cones, set of 4, watering aid for plants, for 1.5 L bottles, HxD: 11.5 x 4.5 cm, terracotta
EUR 12.90 To the productirrigation system: There are various variants for indoors and outdoors, such as drip irrigation or the watering computer combined with a lawn sprinkler. What all systems have in common is that they can be individually programmed.
our recommendation
Royal Gardineer self-sufficient watering: automatic holiday watering system BWC-10 for 10 indoor plants (self-sufficient watering system)
26.99 EUR To the productpurpose of use
Which irrigation system is optimal for holiday watering always depends on the intended use. If you need comprehensive irrigation for your garden or your numerous potted plants, only irrigation systems are of course suitable. If, on the other hand, it is only a question of caring for a few plants for a few days, one irrigation cone is absolutely sufficient for each of your green beauties.
range of functions
In the case of irrigation cones, the functionality is limited - they gradually feed the water into the earth and well. The situation is quite different with irrigation systems. Here you can choose from systems with more or less detailed functions. These primarily concern the individual programming of the watering time and duration as well as the watering cycle. Practical: With WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, you can control the watering with your smartphone even when you are on vacation.
Specific Features
Depending on the type of holiday watering you plan to use, there are always some specific characteristics to look at. For example, you should check an irrigation cone for how many days it can supply the plant. Even more details play a role in larger irrigation systems, for example thread and pressure in irrigation computers or the distance between the drip heads in drip irrigation systems. Always check whether the respective product fits your requirements.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Why is automatic holiday watering useful?
Logically, during your vacation away from home, you cannot water your plants as usual with the watering can. You may not be able or interested in having neighbors or acquaintances do the watering. So that you don't find any dried-up plants when you return, it makes sense to use automatic holiday watering.
How does holiday watering work?
Although there are different types of holiday watering, the basic principle remains more or less the same for all variants: The respective watering element draws the water from a filled storage container and distributes it to the plants. Depending on the system, pumps, hoses and/or clay cones are used.
Which brands offer good systems for holiday watering?
Gardena, Blumat and Royal Gardineer are some of the best-known brands for irrigation systems that will give you peace of mind when you go on holiday. Blumfeldt also offers suitable systems for holiday watering. If you are only planning a short trip for a few days, the creative Bördy from Scheurich, for example, comes into consideration.
Where is the best place to buy a holiday watering system?
Holiday watering systems are usually available in well-stocked hardware stores and garden centers such as OBI, toom, Bauhaus, hagebaumarkt, Hornbach or Dehner. Before the start of the holiday season, you may also find what you are looking for at discounters (Aldi or Lidl). All year round you can enjoy a very large selection at Amazon - with products from well-known or up-and-coming brands.
How much does a holiday watering cost?
For an irrigation system that bridges your absence, you usually don't have to dig too deep into your wallet. The cheapest solutions are already available from around five to ten euros. More comprehensive indoor systems usually cost you between 20 and 40 euros, while those for garden irrigation sometimes cost a little more.
Is there a holiday watering test by Stiftung Warentest?
Yes, Stiftung Warentest carried out the last test of irrigation systems for the holiday season in June 2022. The well-known consumer magazine analyzed 16 products, some of which scored "good". Gardena systems were at the top in many categories. Scheurich's Bördy also received an excellent grade of 1.6.
our recommendation
Scheurich Bördy M, Waterreserve water dispenser made of plastic and clay cone, Green, 20 cm high, 0.22 l vol.
4.99 EUR To the productequipment
bucket
The good news is: You don't need a direct water connection for simple indoor holiday irrigation, just a suitable container that you fill with water and connect to the respective system. In the case of irrigation cones, this is often simply a bottle, in the case of other systems it is usually a bucket. Important: The storage container must have sufficient capacity.
our recommendation
Krüger water bucket, enamel, white, 28 x 28 x 22.5 cm
18.31 EUR To the productkey
Instead of a bucket, you can simply use a simple bowl for the water. Here again, attention must be paid to the volume.
our recommendation
Rotho Caruba large bowl 8l, plastic (PP) BPA-free, green, 8l (34.0 x 34.0 x 15.0 cm)
4.89 EUR To the productlawn sprinkler
If, after careful consideration, you finally decide in favor of a holiday watering system with a water computer, you may also need a lawn sprinkler in order to water your lawn and/or hedges, shrubs and beds as comprehensively as possible, but still in a targeted manner. Make sure the computer, sprinkler, and garden hose are compatible with each other.
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