Avoid Turning Water Into Whine (Automated Garden Irrigation)

One of the things I love about pet sitting is that I get to use many different household products and discover their effectiveness without actually buying them myself. Garden watering products are one category of product I’ve appreciated learning about over the years. I’ve seen lots of products break or wear out faster than others. I’ve also seen loads of products prove their worth by automatically maintaining huge gardens that have different areas with a variety of watering needs. Below are my favorite garden watering solutions.

Timers

• Orbit 56233D 3-Outlet Digital Watering Timer (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004PVK4GK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_uigtDb05Z3XF9) – This is hands-down my favorite timer. It has  2 programmable valves and 1 manual valve. I have it in my back yard so that 2 areas with different watering needs (one is watered every day, the other is watered every 3 days) are automatically watered. That manual valve means I can still water other areas whenever I want. It has just 1 dial to control all programming features. And there’s a rain delay feature so I won’t waste water when nature provides the moisture.
• Orbit 62061Z 1-Outlet Programmable Hose Faucet Timer (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004INGS8S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_6igtDbD91CA1V) – This is a fabulous option if you only need to set one timer to cover all your watering needs.
• Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Timer (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006FLGHGE/ref=psdc_553988_t1_B004INGS8S) – This is a great option when you don’t need an automated timer. Each time you want to water, just go turn the dial and the water runs for that set amount of time.

Nozzles and sprinkler heads

There are so many sprinkler and nozzle options these days.

• Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with TwinTouch Width Control & Flow Control (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SDVX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) – This sprinkler is so amazing that I now I have 4 of them! It has oodles of features you can control, including water direction and intensity of the water flow. Although there are lots of plastic parts, this is a real workhorse and stands up as well as all-metal sprinklers.
• GrowGreen Garden Sprinkler, 360 Degree Rotating Lawn Sprinkler (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07D27DL1G/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ekgtDb97R0CKM) – This is a fabulous option for some areas of my property.
• Sprinkler “Noodle” T.H.W. Lawn Sprinkler, 360 Degree Adjustable Flexible Lawn Garden Sprinklers (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07C1RJZVR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_DqgtDbA6G3BY3) – This cool device has 12 little flexible spray nozzles allowing you to control the exact spots that get watered! If your watering needs change as your plants grow, simply rebend the noodles to direct the water somewhere else.
• Twinkle Star Heavy-Duty Brass Nozzle (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D3SRZ5Q/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_zIYtDbEABNCF6) – This is my favorite nozzle BY FAR. They last for decades (although you’ll probably need to replace the 0-ring at some point.) You can adjust water pressure, flow and spray pattern. Gilman and Melnor make my other favorite nozzles.

Self-watering devices and systems

• Watering spikes (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T66GMDK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kyYtDbG0M75BV) – Use your favorite, colorful wine, beer, or water bottles with these spikes. One of my clients uses these with colorful wine glasses, which makes the garden colorful year round. Using these with larger bottles are way more effective than the glass globe thingies that were all the rage a few years back.
• Self-watering trays – Items such as https://www.amazon.com/Tierra-Garden-GP70-Large-Watering/dp/B001D1ITRG can keep potted plants moist and healthy for weeks. I know quite a few people who DIY using large storage tubs, similar to what is described at https://commonsensehome.com/self-watering-planters/ .
• Self-watering planters – Every year there is more variety in designs of self-watering planters. Check out the designs at https://design-milk.com/self-watering-planters-that-will-help-you-get-a-green-thumb/ . FWIW, Amazon doesn’t have many options, so check at garden supply stores, Etsy, or do a general web search. On the right is a peek at some of the variety for smaller planters.
• Buried terracotta pots ( https://permaculturenews.org/2018/12/25/how-to-make-your-garden-drought-proof-using-unglazed-clay-pots/ and https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/2016/02/04/burying-terracotta-pots-lets-you-garden-less-water/79837724/) – Depending on the pots you use for this purpose, you can easily go a few days to a week between watering. That’s music to my ears!
• Tree watering bags (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TP36GRP/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_LBYtDbAY7G6EC) – There are lots of options for tree watering bags these days. They slowly, continuously release water for 5-10 hours.

There are also tons of great problem-solving products out there, such as tripods that position sprinklers off the ground, solar-powered automated timers, drip systems that are super-easy to assemble, attractive rain barrels, the list goes on. Browse through the products at Gardener’s Supply Company (https://www.gardeners.com/) and you’ll spot lots of cool products that will make your life easier.