Automatic watering systems

[PinkCamelias]

If you use them, do you have these with a hub and remote controlling through the app? Do you have humidity sensors? Or is it enough to have a manually programmable one?

I need a solution for when we’re away in summer. I need one circuit for the terrace plants upstairs, and another for the potted plants on the patio, and the garden. I need a system that adjust the watering to the weather, either automatically, or through the app. Of course once installed, I’d use it to water permanently, when we’re at home too.

The ones with an app and hub are so expensive though, that I’m having doubts. I’ll get it if you tell me it’s worth it :) but maybe there is a cheaper, manual controller with a weather sensor that works well?

We have a Hozelock system which works on a clockwork timer. A long Hozelock goes to the greenhouse and the little black tubes go from that. We set it at twice a day when we’re away.
We’ve invested in a solar system for the poly tunnel on the allotment, but haven’t set it up yet.

Programmed one, three different hoses that each can have its own settings. Not any sensors, so I look at the long range forecast and guess from there.

@Beebumble2 I was thinking about Hozelock; I’m not in the UK but it’s sold here too. It has really bad reviews on Amazon though, so I decided against it. This was the one with a hub though. Are you happy with yours?

@MoistVonLthat’s interesting, and reassuring that you do this and it works. I am sometimes gone for a month, so planning ahead may be tricky, but it’s something to think about.

Yes we’ve had it for about 6 years, works every summer.

@PinkCamelias I just set up a system and posted details in the jungle/tropical gardens thread - let me know if you can’t find it. The timer has a weather forecast built in, and you can set it up to automatically override the watering schedule if there is rain.

I also have a hozelock micro drip system for pots, it is surprisingly easy to set up and is working well so far.

@Koulibiak thank you, I found your post! Very useful. I see that Amazon reviews do not go beyond April this year, so it must be a new product. Have you tried to control it remotely from your phone (while away from home) yet? I’m curious if it works well.
I guess it’s compatible with standard buses and connectors? The stuff I have already is from Gardena.

We have a Rainbird, controlled through an app. We have a 4-zone irrigation system on a large garden (in Portugal). Always found it very reliable. We used to have the non-wifi version that worked on timers, but it was a pain in the arse if e.g. you're down the bottom of the garden and need to turn a circuit on to test it, because you had to go all the way to the controller to manually switch it on.

@PinkCamelias you’re welcome! In answer to your questions, yes it is easy to control remotely on my phone, and yes it’s all standard size. Obviously it still needs to pass the test of time, as I’ve only just set it up, but so far so good.