Having an automatic watering system for your raised garden beds can make caring for your vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers much easier. There are a few methods you can use to set up a DIY watering system or you can purchase a kit. The key things to consider are how you will get water to the beds, how you will distribute it, and how you will control the water flow.
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Why Use an Automatic Watering System?
There are several advantages to setting up an automated watering system for your raised garden beds:
- Convenience – You don’t have to remember to water or drag hoses around. The system does it for you.
- Consistency – Your plants get watered evenly and on a regular schedule, preventing under or overwatering.
- Efficiency – Automated systems deliver water right to the roots, reducing waste from evaporation or run off.
- Flexibility – Timer based systems allow you to customize watering schedules for different beds or weather conditions.
- Going out of town? – Don’t have to rely on neighbors or friends to water while you’re away.
Water Source and Delivery
The first decision you need to make for an automated watering system is where the water will come from and how it will get to the raised beds. Here are some options:
Hose End Timer
This simple option connects a hose to an outdoor spigot and a battery operated timer. The timer turns the water on and off on a preset schedule. You can move the hose around to water different beds.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to set up.
- Portable.
Cons:
- Requires moving hose to reach all beds.
- Timer must be reset each time.
- Hose can be a tripping hazard.
Underground PVC Pipe System
This involves burying PVC pipes that run from your hose spigot out to your raised beds. Risers with spigots come up in each bed. Water flows through the pipes to all beds at once.
Pros:
- Out of sight, no hoses.
- Waters all beds simultaneously.
- Can be on automatic timer.
- Permanent system.
Cons:
- More expensive.
- Requires digging trenches.
- Difficult to make changes.
Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation systems use a network of tubing with emission devices (drip emitters, sprayers, etc.) to deliver water slowly and directly to plants’ roots. Kits are available for raised beds.
Pros:
- Saves water since there is no run off or evaporation.
- Fertilizer can be injected through system.
- Easy to install and customize.
- On automatic timer.
Cons:
- Plastic tubing and emitters may need replacing over time.
- Rodents may chew on tubing.
- More expensive than hose end timer.
Water Distribution Within Beds
Once you’ve figured out how to get water to the raised beds, you need to determine how to distribute it evenly across each bed. Options include:
Overhead Sprinklers
Oscillating or rotating sprinkler heads can be positioned above each raised bed to water the entire soil surface.
Pros:
- Waters entire bed evenly.
- Easy to install.
- Good for shallow rooted plants.
Cons:
- Water loss from evaporation.
- Water may spray onto paths.
- Can disturb small seedlings.
Micro Sprayers
Micro sprayer or mist nozzle heads deliver a fine spray of water over a small area. You can position several in each bed.
Pros:
- Good for pots and seedlings.
- Gentle on delicate plants.
- Minimal evaporation loss.
Cons:
- May need a lot to cover full beds.
- Prone to clogging.
Drip Emitters
Drip emitters release water slowly, right at soil level. Emitters can be spaced throughout beds to water zones.
Pros:
- Saves water, reduces disease.
- Waters deeply around plant roots.
- Inexpensive.
Cons:
- Need a grid of tubing across bed.
- Roots may grow toward emitters.
Soaker Hoses
Soaker hoses are perforated hoses that seep water out along their entire length.
Pros:
- Waters entire bed evenly.
- Simple to install.
- Can be laid on beds or snaked through.
Cons:
- Less water efficient. High evaporation loss.
- Hard to regulate water flow.
- Vulnerable to cracking over time.
Automated Watering System Controls
To make your watering system fully automated, you need some way to control when and how much water flows. Options include:
Hose End Timer
Inexpensive timers attach right to your hose spigot. Set the time and frequency water turns on and off.
Pros:
- Simple to use.
- Inexpensive.
- Portable.
Cons:
- Must be manually reprogrammed.
- No runtime adjustment.
- No rain delay.
Irrigation Controller
Standalone controllers run drip or sprinkler systems on preset schedules and runtimes. Advanced options allow weather adjustments.
Pros:
- Customizable schedule and runtimes.
- Some have rain delay.
- Flexible watering options.
Cons:
- Self-contained, not smartphone programmable.
- Cost more than hose timers.
Smart Irrigation Controller
Smart controllers can be programmed via an app on your phone and integrate local weather data to adjust watering automatically.
Pros:
- Programmable anywhere.
- Uses weather data to optimize watering.
- Advanced scheduling options.
Cons:
- Most expensive option.
- Requires WiFi.
- Learning curve to program.
DIY Automatic Watering System Projects
If you’re handy, you can come up with your own DIY solution for watering your raised garden beds. Here are some projects to consider:
5 Gallon Bucket Drip Irrigation
Use an upside down 5 gallon bucket as a reservoir. Run drip irrigation tubing from a hole at the bottom of the bucket to your raised bed. Fill the bucket when needed.
Pros:
- Simple and inexpensive.
- Easy to set watering rate.
Cons:
- Small water capacity.
- Need to monitor and refill.
Rain Barrel Drip Irrigation
Connect a rain barrel to gutter downspouts to collect roof runoff. Use a hose or tubing to run this recycled water to raised beds via drip irrigation.
Pros:
- Free water source.
- Environmentally friendly.
Cons:
- Rain barrel capacity limits water available.
- Backup water source needed for dry periods.
Solar Powered System
Use a solar panel to power a small pump that moves water from a reservoir through drip lines when the sun shines. Add a battery to store power.
Pros:
- Uses free solar energy.
- Works off-grid.
Cons:
- Higher startup cost.
- Battery replacement needed over time.
Purchased Drip Irrigation Kits
For easier setup, consider a complete drip irrigation kit made specifically for raised beds. Most include:
- Drip tubing or soaker dripline.
- Emitters and connectors.
- Backflow preventer.
- Filter and pressure regulator.
- Timer attachment.
Many kits are modular or expandable to cover more raised beds down the line. Look for kits with a simple timer and pressure compensating emitters for the best results.
Tips for Your Automated System
Here are some additional tips to get the most out of your automated raised bed watering system:
- Include a filter to prevent debris from clogging emitters or tubing.
- Set up a pressure regulator and use pressure compensating emitters for consistent flow.
- Slope soaker hoses and tubing for better water distribution.
- Raise drip irrigation lines above soil level to prevent punctures.
- Program timers to run early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
- Group plants with similar water needs on the same lines.
- Check systems periodically for leaks, clogs, or issues.
- Expand and customize system over time as garden layout changes.
Conclusion
Installing some form of automatic watering system for raised garden beds can make caring for your plants much simpler. Drip irrigation kits are a great option for delivering water right to the roots on a schedule while minimizing water usage. Or get creative and build your own simple system on the cheap. Just be sure to control water flow and distribution evenly across and through the raised beds. A consistently watered vegetable and flower garden yields the best results with less work.