The most ideal is of course if the neighbors or family want to water your plants during the holidays. But if that is not possible, there are also automated alternatives. In search of the best solution, we initially ended up at Gardena, but that is quite pricey and you quickly get overwhelmed by the huge range. Fortunately, there are also cheaper solutions, for example in combination with the Eve Aqua.
Here’s what you need:
- #1 Watering computer
- #2 Watering hoses
Also read our review of the Gardena Smart System if you are looking for a professional set-up.
#1 Watering computer
The first thing you need to turn your water supply on and off is a watering computer. You then have different solutions, from Eve, Gardena and Hozelock, among others. As far as we are concerned, the Eve Aqua is the best. This works well with HomeKit and has been updated for Thread, so that you are no longer dependent on Bluetooth for the connection.
The Gardena watering computer only works if you buy a fairly expensive gateway with it, which makes the total very expensive. The gateway (€120) plus power adapter (€52) are added, while the computer itself also costs around €140. You can also buy the gateway including power adapter in a set, but then you will have lost € 350 and you will have to buy the watering computer separately. The total financial picture then becomes around € 500 and that is a bit exaggerated, if it can also be done for a quarter of that price.
Although Hazelock’s Cloud Controller can be operated with an app, it does not support HomeKit or other smart home protocols. We actually see no reason to opt for this, since it is no cheaper than a computer that is smart.
There are also other suppliers, such as the Toolcraft watering computer. This also does not work with HomeKit, but it is very cheap (approx. € 25).
Watering hoses
There are also various solutions in the field of watering hoses. These are hoses from which water drips at fixed distances. You put such a hose in a plant or flower bed. This works especially well if the plants are in a long row. There are special versions for city gardens and indoor plants that you can hang in flower pots. The cheapest, however, is a straight hose with holes, which is usually available in lengths of 15, 25 or 50 metres. In the hardware store you will find flexible drip hoses, which look like a normal garden hose, but which are in fact ‘leaky’. This is of course also the intention.
Update: you can also purchase this drip sprinkler set at Lidl, with which you have the most important parts at home.
If you want a slightly nicer solution, Gardena can be the right solution, because you can install a Micro-Drip-System in sizes S, M or L for a few tens. It doesn’t matter which watering computer (see #1) you bought, because it works with standard garden hose connections. The computer controls whether or not water drips from the holes. You do not dig the cable, but lay it loosely on the ground. If necessary, you can secure the hose at some points so that it does not shift.
The Micro-Drip-System can be purchased here:
If you prefer to atomize instead of dripping water, you can do so with an atomizer set. You can attach this to the garden fence, so that the water descends on the plants like a mist. A cheap solution from Toolcraft is shown below and costs €15 at Conrad. You can also use this to provide your terrace with water vapor, so that it stays nice and cool. You can find a more expensive set at Gardena for around 60 euros.
If the plants are not in a row, but you have a lawn or a large flower bed, you will save even more money by simply connecting a swivel sprinkler to the garden hose. You already have it for less than 20 euros.
What you also need to get your system working are of course a water connection (tap) and some simple connectors for the garden hose, which you can buy for a few euros. Now you can go on holiday for a few weeks without any worries!
More smart technology in your garden? Then take a look at our round-up to make your garden HomeKit-enabled.
