What is the best way to set up a system for watering a garden every 2 or 3 days, say? Can one buy devices that do this?
Also, is there any simple way of setting this up so that it can be activated remotely by computer?
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Lookey Here
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You can marry them!
There are multi-channel seven day controllers designed specifically for this, but I've only seen them on sale in French garden centres, along with a huge array of semi-professional grade automatic watering fittings. In Britain, the usual offering is Hozelock or Gardena, which I have been very disappointed with.
Colin Bignell
Computer controlled might be overkill.
Depends how much you are watering, 6 acres with 30K worth of plants would demand a better system than a few pots in the back yard.
For a few plants I've used the hozelock with micro tubing stuff, that worked okay see
Steve
Hozelock and Gardena make all the bits. I usually recommend Hozelock because they're more widely obtainable at B&Q, garden centres, etc. The timers are quite simple but I've not seen any that can be remotely controlled (though ground-moisture-sensing is an option with Gardena at least). Just add wide-area sprinklers. If you want to water individual tubs etc, you'd use a low pressure system with a network of mini tubes and sprinklers. There are a lot of options there and it can seem a bit daunting at first but once you get started it's a doddle. You can get "starter kits" containing the bare essentials then supplement it with extra components when you've worked out what you need.
If you can get an electrically-controlled valve, switch it with an X10 relay. Then you can have a PC with an X10 controller programmed however you like. X10 usually communicates over powerlines, so you don't need extra wiring.
Theo
LIDL have a timer on offer from thursday 23rd. No idea on quality but it is £12.99. Caveat emptor Bob
In message , nightjar writes
I'd not recommend Hozelock timers, I've found them very unreliable 9I've had two die on me for no obvious reason and my parents had one dies on them as well) The Gardena ones seem a bit better.
I've used 'generic' version of the Hoselock fittings fine, which were a fair bit cheaper
I also used an alternative system that doesn't require timers, Tropf Blumat, which responds to the drieness of the soil..
The system uses ceramic probes inserted into the soil/compost, as the soil dries out the valve in the probe opens to allow water through.
Bit more expensive, but system is very reliable and works well. And doesn't water the plants unnecessarily when it rains.
Plenty of old discussions from uk.rec.gardening to be found on google groups.
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