💧 Irrigation Systems
Smart (WiFi) irrigation systems: 2026 guide
A complete guide to smart WiFi irrigation systems: how weather-based watering works, which sensors…
Garden irrigation systems: drip, sprinklers and smart watering
A good irrigation system saves water, saves time and makes plants grow better, because they get exactly the right amount at the right time, every time. Watering by hand with a hose uses more, wets the leaves (more fungi), waters the weeds and makes it hard to give each plant what it needs. A well-designed, well-programmed system pays for itself in one or two seasons.
Here you have guides to set up each type: drip irrigation step by step (components, flow calculation, how many drippers per plant and seasonal programming) for beds, hedges, the vegetable patch and pots; automatic sprinklers for the lawn (types, the "head-to-head" overlap rule and zoning); smart WiFi irrigation systems that adjust watering to the actual weather; and a practical guide to how much and when to water by plant type, soil and season.
The general rule for almost everything: few long, spaced-out soaks rather than many short ones, and always at dawn. A soak that wets 20-30 cm deep makes the root go down and the plant cope with the heat; a short, frequent watering creates dependent plants that suffer on the first hot day. If your soil drains poorly or you have a slope, split the watering into several short passes.
Irrigation Systems articles
💧 Irrigation Systems
The best automatic lawn sprinklers: types, coverage and installation
A complete guide to automatic lawn sprinklers: types and what each is for, the head-to-head overlap…
💧 Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation: a complete DIY installation guide
A complete drip irrigation guide: which components you need, how to calculate the flow rate,…
Frequently asked questions
Which irrigation system is best for my garden?
Drip for beds, hedges, shrubs, the vegetable patch and pots: it applies water only at the root and saves up to 50%. Sprinklers for lawns and grass, which need to wet the whole surface evenly. In a full garden it's usual to combine both on the same controller, in separate zones.
How much does it cost to install drip irrigation?
A basic kit for beds and pots in a small-medium garden costs between 30 and 80 (16 mm pipe, drippers, filter, pressure reducer and a tap timer). It installs in an afternoon with no special tools. A fixed buried installation with zoned sprinklers for a large garden runs to several hundred.
How much should I water the garden in summer?
It depends on the plant and soil, but as a reference: the lawn needs 25-35 litres per m² a week at the height of summer; established shrubs and perennials, a deep soak every 4-7 days; pots, almost daily. Check by digging: the day after watering, the soil should be moist 15-20 cm deep.
Is a WiFi irrigation controller worth it?
Yes, especially in medium and large gardens: it adjusts watering to the weather forecast and the rain that has fallen, saving 20-40% versus a fixed-schedule timer. It also adds convenience (phone control, leak alerts) at any garden size.
What's the best time to water the garden?
At dawn, 4:00-8:00. There's less evaporation, the plant faces the day already hydrated and any drop on the leaves dries quickly in the sun, which reduces fungi. Watering at dusk leaves moisture all night and encourages fungal diseases and snails.
Can I leave automatic irrigation running while I'm on holiday?
Yes, that's one of the reasons to install it. Set the summer watering, check a few days beforehand that everything works (drippers, sprinklers, pressure), change the timer batteries and, if you can, ask someone to check it mid-week in case a dripper clogs or a connector comes loose.