Make a Splash with the Right Lawn and Garden Watering Solution
Watering your lawn and garden seems like a no-brainer. Just pour water over them and move on, right? We all wish it was this easy! Any homeowner or gardener will tell you that plants are as unique as the person who cares for them. When it comes to determining the best irrigation plan for your lawn and garden, there are many factors that can make or break your flora. Healthy lawns, big blooms, and bountiful gardens start with the right watering solutions!
Identify Your Watering Goals
The first step to making an irrigation plan is determining your watering needs and goals. Each area of your property might have totally different requirements, so it’s possible you’ll need a combination of products. To help you get started on picking an irrigation solution, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the watering needs of your various crops? Every plant has different requirements, so determining how each plant affects the entire watering plan can save you many headaches down the road.
- How hot, cold, dry, or wet is your climate? If you live in an area where frequent droughts occur, heavy watering will be needed to keep your lawn and garden healthy. An in-ground irrigation system may be your best bet for consistent watering. Rainy environments won’t require much watering, so picking a rain barrel instead of an irrigation system is a smart choice.
- How much sun vs. shade does your lawn or garden get? Land in direct sun demands a much larger amount of water, while shady spots can be overwatered, putting your plants’ health at risk.
- Does your land slope? Lawns and gardens are hardly ever perfectly flat, so you’ll need to understand how slope affects runoff. Areas where water collects can lead to bacteria formations and other spots where water is flowing away will take essential nutrients with it.
Most Common Irrigation Solutions for Lawns and Gardens
Watering cans: One of the most straightforward ways to water is with a simple watering can. These allow you to provide hydration right where it’s needed without investing in a fancy system. Watering cans are ideal for porch gardens, raised beds, and other small planters or plots.
Hoses: For more extensive watering needs, consider a lawn and garden hose instead. These come in many styles, including expandable, coiled, flat/firefighter, sprinkler, and soaker hoses.
Both sprinkler and soaker hoses let gardeners water without holding anything. These hoses are dotted with tiny holes that allow water to seep out and provide hydration right at the plants’ roots. Sprinkler hoses create more of a misting effect than soaker hoses, making them ideal for freshly seeded areas or other delicate spots. Both let you customize your watering layout without disturbing the arrangement of your crops.
Nozzles: Connecting a nozzle to the end of your hose is a simple way to gain more control over the area you’re spraying. Dial or multi-pattern nozzles let you select up to 10 different water pressures by turning a rotating head. Fan nozzles gently spray water through large mouths with several tiny holes. Watering wands are long models that help you water hanging baskets, window boxes, and other hard-to-reach spots. Learn more from our hoses and nozzles buying guide.
Sprinklers: If you want more control than just using a hose but don’t want to water everything yourself, a sprinkler is a cost-effective solution. Above-ground sprinklers attach to the end of a hose and can be set up anywhere on your property. There are several water distribution methods, including stationary, oscillating, rotating, impulse, and traveling sprinklers. Many models can be hooked up to a timer for easy zone watering.
For heavier watering needs, in-ground sprinkler systems are a worthwhile investment. These underground systems have sprinkler heads that either pop up when watering or are permanently installed above the ground. The heads connect to a main water supply using pipes below the surface, allowing you to create watering zones and schedule each to get a specific amount of water. Use our sprinklers buying guide to help you pick the right model for your property!
Drip irrigation: Similar to soaker hoses, drip irrigation systems deliver water right to the roots through tubing that releases water from bubbler nozzles. These are helpful for watering large gardens with long rows. Unlike soaker hoses that release water along their entire length, drip irrigation systems only trickle where you place the connectors, hydrating the spots that need it. Drip irrigation systems are more expansive than soaker hoses, but cheaper than creating an in-ground sprinkler system.
Rain barrels: Water your lawn and garden with the best natural resource – rain! Collecting rainwater is as easy as attaching a rain barrel to your gutter downspout. Rain barrels provide low-pressure water flow and can be connected to a drip irrigation system, soaker hose, or standard hose to make your own irrigation solution. Check out our project guide to learn more about choosing and installing a rain barrel.
Harvesting rainwater is an age-old practice that offers a lot of benefits to gardeners and homeowners, including saving money on water bills, having extra water during droughts, keeping gutter runoff out of foundations and drains, and helping the environment by utilizing a natural resource.
Best Purposes for Different Watering Solutions
Efficient watering: If you live in an area with frequent rain or you’re looking for ways to conserve water, there are some irrigation techniques to consider. Watering in the morning is the best time to beat the heat and allow the water to sink in deeper. Using an automated shut-off valve with a rain sensor is a helpful tool for avoiding over-watering. A targeted irrigation solution like drip irrigation instead of large sprinklers sends water right to the plants’ roots and can be much more efficient.
Raised bed watering: An easy way to build your own raised bed irrigation system is to thread a soaker hose through the base of the plants in the bed. The hose will be hidden by the crops and won’t detract from your garden’s beauty. Once added, the hose doesn’t need to be moved around. You'll get better coverage and less waste than using a sprinkler or hose nozzle.
Porch and patio watering: Hand-held solutions are usually best for watering plants on solid surfaces because they provide the most flexibility and portability. For small planters and light irrigation needs, a simple watering can is your best bet. But if you don’t want to lug a watering can back and forth for multiple planters, consider a hose with a rotating head nozzle so you can customize the water pressure for each planter.
Vacation watering: Leaving your plants unattended is nerve-wracking for most gardeners. There are some different methods for setting up a care-free watering system:
- Install a soaker hose and let the low water pressure do the work. It’s possible to leave your plants for over a week with just a soaker hose. We recommend testing the hose’s pressure before leaving so you can strike the balance between moist and saturated conditions. Soaker hoses can be connected to rain barrels for consistent water flow.
- Set watering timers for your sprinklers, soaker hoses, or drip irrigation systems so you don’t have to worry about plants not getting the right amount of water. These are especially helpful for zone watering. Pair a watering timer with a shut-off valve to prevent over-watering on rainy days. It’s a good idea to set up a weather station beforehand to track your daily or weekly rain averages.
Popular Watering Accessories to Streamline Your Process
Handling hoses can cause big headaches, especially when you’re trying to avoid kinking on long models. An easy way to manage your hose is with a reel or stand, which keep the hose neatly coiled and ready to use. A hose cart adds even more portability because you can wheel it right to the watering spot. These options are helpful not just for using the hose but also for storing it!
There are many ways to automate your irrigation system, from watering timers and shut-off valves to full irrigation apps. Electric timers are the most budget-friendly options and require very little maintenance. Use a timer in conjunction with a weather station to track your rain averages and schedule additional watering accordingly.
Check Back for More to Beat the Heat!
There are many irrigation solutions for every lawn and garden, and we will continue to expand our collection to bring you the best options. Sign up for email updates and we will deliver them to your inbox!
Last updated: 7/8/2022