With drip irrigation, you water your lawn and other plants as needed, economically and automatically. Find out how drip irrigation works in detail and what you should pay attention to when buying.
Drip irrigation saves time and water
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| type of hose | drip hose |
|---|---|
| Above or below ground? | above ground |
| Range | 50 m |
| distance of the outlets | 30 cm |
| water flow | 4 liters per hour |
The drip irrigation system from the renowned Gardena brand is one of the bestsellers and most popular irrigation systems on Amazon. Almost 90 percent of the previous reviewers (as of November 2022) have rated the garden irrigation with four or five stars. Most customers particularly emphasize the high quality of the hose. He should distribute the water well. Gardena's information regarding the water flow per hour and drip head also seems to be absolutely correct. It is also practical that you can extend the system to a range of 100 meters if necessary.
our recommendation
Hiveseen 151 PCS Irrigation Kit, 25M Irrigation System with Adjustable Sprinkler Sprayer and Automatic Dripper for Drip Irrigation, Garden Irrigation, Greenhouse Irrigation
20.99 EUR To the product| type of hose | drip hose |
|---|---|
| Above or below ground? | above ground |
| Range | 25 m |
| distance of the outlets | flexibly adaptable |
| water flow | varies |
The extensive Hiveseen irrigation system (€32.95) is particularly impressive because of the excellent price-performance ratio. For comparatively little money you get a set with 151 individual parts, including a 25 meter long hose. The distances between the outlets can be adjusted just as individually as the water flow. Although this kit is more complex to set up than the Gardena system, the costs are lower and the application flexibility is higher. The Amazon reviewers are consistently positive about this drip irrigation system. It should be ideal for smaller gardens and also indoors.
our recommendation
Queta garden irrigation system, drip irrigation set with 40 m hose and 158 pcs. Adjustable micro for garden plants greenhouse cultivation atomization cooling
23.99 EUR To the product| type of hose | drip hose |
|---|---|
| Above or below ground? | above ground |
| Range | 40 m |
| distance of the outlets | flexibly adaptable |
| water flow | varies |
The Queta drip irrigation has largely the same characteristics as the Hiveseen irrigation system. However, it even includes 158 pieces. In addition, the hose is significantly longer at 40 meters. To date (as of November 2022) there are not many Amazon reviews, but the previous ones all sound promising. A customer describes the product with the words "A must have if you don't have time to water". Despite the low price, the individual parts appear to be of high quality. We hereby agree with the purchase recommendation of the reviewers. For the minimal cost you can't go wrong.
Purchase Criteria
type of hose
drip hose: The drip hose is the classic. It has several outlets through which the water drips onto the plant soil.
Pearl, sweat or seepage hose: The hose with the many names is made of a porous material that sweats out the water and releases it drop by drop to the plant roots.
Whichever type of hose you choose, make sure it's of good quality and can literally take the pressure.
Above or below ground?
The dripping hose can be laid above or below ground. Both variants have their advantages and disadvantages. The above-ground variant offers you the opportunity to install the irrigation system yourself. On the other hand, you need a specialist for underground laying. In this case, the water drips straight away to where it is needed most: onto the roots.
Range
Depending on the size of the area that you want to cover with drip irrigation, you need a more or less long drip hose. Be sure to measure in advance how long the hose needs to be so that you can water all your plants in this way. Most manufacturers specify the range as a length in meters.
distance of the outlets
In addition to the basic range of the hose, the distance between the individual outlets on the hose also plays a role. Make sure that the distances fit your requirements. This criterion is commonly given in centimetres. In some cases, the distance can be individually adapted.
Water flow per drip head
A very important point when choosing the right drip irrigation system is the amount of water flow per drip head. This feature is commonly given in l/h, i.e. liters per hour. There is no universal right or wrong here. Rather, it depends on the water requirements of your plants. Adjust the irrigation system accordingly. With most commercially available designs, the flow rate is between two and four liters per hour.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is meant by the term drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation is a special irrigation technique in which only small amounts of water are continuously released to the respective plants. For this purpose, outlets are attached to a hose at regular intervals. Through these outlets the water drips onto the thirsty green. The irrigation system ensures automatic and needs-based garden irrigation, with no water being wasted.
How does drip irrigation work?
In principle, the way drip irrigation works is very simple: through the outlets attached to the drip hose, the water reaches the lawn or the plants (roots) to be watered drop by drop. The water itself comes from a faucet or a rain barrel. With an irrigation computer as a supplement, you can even completely automate the irrigation system.
What are the advantages of drip irrigation?
With drip irrigation you save water and therefore costs. The system makes it possible to consistently apply the right amount of water. Above all, soils with a low water storage capacity benefit from this. It is also practical that you can add nutrients directly to the water (fertilizer). Since it does not wet the leaves, drip irrigation also prevents fungal diseases.
What problems can occur with drip irrigation?
Adding fertilizer to the water can clog hoses and drippers. To prevent this as much as possible, it is best to use upstream filters. In drier climates, drip irrigation threatens to salinize the soil. However, this point has no real relevance for gardeners in local areas.
Which brands offer good drip irrigation systems?
Professional drip irrigation systems are available from Netafim, for example, which is now an international company that was originally founded in Israel. In addition, well-known and popular manufacturers such as Gardena offer comprehensive sets for needs-based and economical drip irrigation. From less well-known brands like Hiveseen or Queta you get cheap but high-quality versions.
Where is the best place to buy drip irrigation?
If you would like to install and use a highly efficient drip irrigation system in your garden, you can either have the entire installation done by a professional provider or equip yourself at a hardware store, garden center or Amazon. Professional support is particularly recommended if you want to lay the dripper lines underground.
equipment
watering computer
By connecting the drip irrigation system to an irrigation computer, you can water your lawn and other plants fully automatically. Depending on the model, the computer can be programmed in detail - in relation to the watering times, the watering duration and the watering cycles. It always opens and closes the valve exactly according to your specifications.
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 producthumidity sensor
A moisture sensor is used as a supplement to the irrigation computer. It makes the entire irrigation system even more efficient. All you have to do is stick the sensor into the potting soil. It continuously measures the soil moisture and gives the computer feedback. The latter only initiates drip irrigation when the humidity level is below your preset setpoint.
our recommendation
Hunter Soil Click Moisture Sensor
114.65 EUR To the productrain sensor
The rain sensor works on the same basic principle as the humidity sensor. However, in contrast to this, it measures the humidity and recognizes whether it is raining or not. If it should rain at the preset watering time, the drip irrigation will not be activated and thus no water will be wasted.
our recommendation