Automatic watering allows you to program a regulated irrigation according to the specific needs of the plants. It will also save you the chore of watering which can quickly become a hassle, especially in summer.
Automatic watering: what you need to know
The quality and diameter of the hoses chosen are essential parameters when installing an automatic watering system. Flexible or semi-rigid hoses must be able to withstand a pressure equal to or greater than 6 bars because they will be equipped with water intakes that will then carry the various types of sprinklers.
The hoses must be of very good quality in order to be assured of a long life, to resist to the climatic hazards and to the possible rodents.
In general, 25 mm diameter pipes will be sufficient unless your network is very long or your flow rate is enormous, in which case 32 mm diameter pipes should be preferred. The larger the diameter, the lower the risk of pressure drop at the end of the stroke.
The different types of sprinklers
Sprinklers are chosen according to the plants and their needs. Drippers are preferred for vegetable gardens or ornamental gardens because their flow rate can be adjusted individually according to the needs of the plants grown, while turbine, oscillating or rotating sprinklers will ensure the watering of lawns.
Please note: the two types of sprinklers cannot be installed in the same circuit because the flow rates and spans are not at all similar. It will be necessary to create two separate lines.
The various circuits
When your garden requires several circuits with different zones and different types of sprinklers, it is necessary to divide the automatic watering into several separate circuits. In this case, a selector switch with multiple outlets should be placed on the water supply valve. If you do not have a large flow rate, you will also need to install solenoid valves to trigger the circuits one after the other. There are two models: battery-operated (9 volts) or wired (powered by 24 volts). Remember to respect the direction of water flow when installing.
The programmer
The programmer is used, as its name indicates, to program the hours and duration of watering. It can be equipped with a humidity sensor or an electronic rain gauge that will allow the automatic watering to start if the soil is too dry or simply to stop if it rains enough.
