wiltless wonder (Hozelock Micro Irrigation System)

Member Name: gryphon

Product:	Hozelock Micro Irrigation System
Date:	28/03/01 (1110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fit and forget, water saving

Disadvantages: initial cost

I was tired of the expense of replacing all the tub and potted plants on our porch every year after forgetting to water them, and so three years ago decided to invest in an automatic watering system.

I looked at the options available; at the time my local DIY warehouse stocked two variants, but I opted for the slightly more expensive hozelock system as it had more options, and I trusted the name. [this decision has been vindicated now that I can no longer source the cheaper system, and am going to extend what I have already installed].

Hozelock offer two different timers for controlling the water flow; a battery powered manual clock that operates once per day at around £30, and another battery powered fully electronic control that will operate twice a day with variable times on, for around £40.

I purchased the cheaper option, and have found it very reliable, the battery life being well in excess of the quoted one year, the only niggle being the need to set the control to start watering at the required time: after that it copycats every day until you tell it otherwise. There is an override, in case we ever have a heat wave.
[The controller is not necessary if you don't mind manually activating your system every time you want to water.]

If you do use one, it attaches to any outside tap, and I would recommend fitting it after a 'splitter' to give you two outlets, or better still to a four outlet bar with individual taps on that you mount on the wall. This gives control for hose[s] and watering system[s] without having to continually dis/re-connect.

Once the controller is installed, a thick tube is run past where the water is required- this fixes to walls/fences with overgrown cable clips, and has right angle bends and t pieces available to build whatever layout you desire, complete with shutoff taps for the branches not in use, and endplugs.

When you reach the desired point, it is simple to pu
ncture this tube with the supplied tool, and attach the micro tube to one of a variety of sprinkler/dripper heads. This micro tube can also be branched to feed more than one plant.

The most useful sprinkler heads are adjustable, so that you can regulate the flow during the season, depending how much any one place requires, though you can also fit fixed pattern and flow rate heads for specific areas and greenhouses etc.

If you change your mind, it is easy to remove a micro tube and plug the hole in the main tube with the supplied plugs.

I have been using the system to water three potted shrubs, various hanging baskets, and some planting troughs very successfully over the past couple of seasons.

I find that I have to 'balance' the system using the adjustable heads, so that each container gets the water it needs during the predetermined two/three/five minute run time each day- during the growing season, the hanging baskets need more and more, while the shrubs remain fairly constant.

It's great not having to try and water overhead, or having to carry loads of watering cans through the house, it has made a great difference to how well my plants have grown, as well as saving water by not wasting any.

The system has more than paid for itself by not having to replace the plants that used to die with sad regularity due to drought and forgetfulness.

I would recommend buying one of the starter packs for greenhouses or hanging baskets; there might be a few bits you don't immediately use, but you get a lot more for your money, the leftovers often come in later as you'll almost certainly want to extend your system, and you can buy any extra bits you require piecemeal.

My neighbour was so impressed, he's now done his whole back garden. . . my Dad has installed a system as well. Both found it easy to do, and have also been very happy with the result

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