How to Set Up Automatic Watering for Your Greenhouse

At a Glance

Automated watering systems offer greenhouses a viable alternative to traditional watering methods, providing consistent hydration and supporting healthier plant growth. In this blog, we outline a step-by-step setup of a smart watering system in a greenhouse. This way, you benefit from a smarter, simpler and more sustainable watering solution all year round while boosting your plant’s health and vitality. 

How Greenhouses Benefit from Automated Watering Systems

Busy gardeners can find maintaining a consistent watering schedule challenging, given that different plants have varying watering needs. Traditional watering methods like using a hose or overhead sprinklers can result in water runoff and uneven water distribution. This can lead to common watering mistakes such as overwatering and underwatering. Plus, traditional methods are also more time-consuming and labour-intensive. 

With water conservation becoming increasingly important, there’s a need for modern solutions that can tackle these issues while delivering effective results. This is where an automatic watering system for greenhouses comes in handy. 

Studies show that this is a much more efficient method, delivering water more precisely and supporting healthier root development.

So if you’re looking to create a stable environment in your greenhouse that’s conducive to healthier plant growth, an automated watering system is a compelling solution.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of an automated watering system and how you can install a smart irrigation system in a greenhouse.

Why Install a Smart Watering System on Your Own

One of the chief benefits of installing a smart watering system is its impact on your plant’s health. Automated systems ensure your plants receive the right amount of water at the right time, allowing for consistent care. These are designed to deliver water directly to the root zone, minimising water loss due to evaporation and water runoff. 

It also takes the guesswork out of watering schedules, reduces human error, and creates a stable, healthy environment in your greenhouse. Since it's automated, the watering system practically runs by itself. So you can go off on a holiday or tend to the more important things in your life without having to worry about your plant's health.

Plus, the initial investment costs are offset by the savings on water bills, time and manual effort, making them cost-effective and sustainable.

Choose the Right System for Your Space and Budget

There are a few things you need to know before you learn how to install a smart irrigation system in a greenhouse. This is because choosing the right system for your space and budget will depend on the size of your greenhouse and your plants’ watering requirements. 

For example, our Watermate Mini comes fully equipped with a greenhouse installation kit, ideal for spaces that are 6′ x 8′, or 6 sq m. It can support up to 40 drippers or 12 sprayers, which can be controlled with a simple app. 

Simple timer systems, while budget-friendly, cannot adjust watering schedules based on external weather conditions. However, automated watering systems use temperature sensors, which allow your greenhouse to benefit from precise watering based on your plant’s actual needs and real-time weather conditions.

Your automated watering system will typically contain

• An irrigation controller
• A pump with inlet filters
• Dual-zone valves with a mounting kit
• A greenhouse installation kit
• Control unit mounting plate
• Braided inlet hose
• Low-density polyethene (LDPE)

Design Your Integration Layout & Watering Zones

If you have a wide variety of plants and crops with different watering needs, you’ll benefit from classifying your watering zones. This allows you to group plants with similar watering needs, ensuring effective watering and even distribution.

Consider layouts and dual zones in your greenhouse to implement companion planting or hydrozoning techniques. It allows your plants to thrive through nutrient sharing while repelling pests, ensuring optimal growth.

Another thing to consider is choosing the right water delivery system. For example, drip emitters are great for conserving water and are ideal for already established plants and microsprayers work well for propagation beds or seed trays. Whichever you choose, be sure to check that all drippers receive equal pressure for optimal performance. 

Decide on Smart Features

If you’re installing a smart irrigation system in a greenhouse, polytunnel or other indoor growing environment, consider smart features that could help immensely with resource management. For example, temperature and humidity sensors adjust watering frequency depending on weather conditions, preventing plant stress and water wastage.

Automated watering systems like Harvst’s Watermate also come with solar panels so you can run them anywhere. This is perfect for an off-grid garden or allotment with no power source, and it helps you conserve energy. For busy gardeners, these smart features, coupled with remote control via mobile apps, ensure a seamless, efficient system to keep your greenhouse thriving.

Connect Your System to Your Water Source

A guide outlining a step‑by‑step setup of a smart watering system in a greenhouse will be incomplete without considering your water source. This is particularly important, especially if you’re looking for a sustainable option and want to save on your water bills. A water butt or tank here is the most viable option, as it can help you make use of rainwater harvesting techniques, providing you with a self-sufficient system.

All you’ll need is a submersible pump, which is installed inside the water butt and connected to a smart controller. This ensures proper water pressure and allows for even water distribution. However, consider using a filter between the mainline and pump to prevent any dirt or debris from clogging the drip emitters.

Maintain Your System to Prevent Common Issues

While automated watering systems simplify plant care needs in a greenhouse, it's important to maintain your system to ensure optimal performance and longevity. When you install a smart irrigation system in a greenhouse, the first component that you should consider checking at regular intervals is the filters near the water mains. This is critical, especially during the growing season, as clogged filters can affect water pressure and flow.

You could also run a periodic flush of the automated watering system by releasing the end caps of the main tubing. This allows for the removal of any sediment buildup, preventing blockage of drip emitters. Consider using natural cleaning solutions like vinegar or non-toxic algaecide to tackle algae or slime, a common issue when using water butts.

Lastly, a key step of protecting your automated watering system during winter is to drain your entire system before the first frost sets in. By doing so, you prevent water from being trapped and freezing, which can cause damage to pipes, emitters and other fittings.

Choose Harvst Automated Watering Systems for Your Greenhouse

An automated watering system comes with several benefits for a greenhouse. From improved water delivery and reduced resource wastage to saving time and energy conservation, this is a compelling investment for avid gardeners. You can easily install a smart irrigation system using our greenhouse installation kits for a seamless and stress-free process.

Harvst WaterMate is an easy-to-use irrigation system designed to fit seamlessly into your garden, greenhouse, or polytunnel. Available in Mini and Pro models to suit different growing areas, each setup helps you water more efficiently and keeps your plants healthy without the need for constant supervision.

At Harvst, we design our products to make growing feel rewarding and balanced. We believe that caring for your plants should bring peace and satisfaction, while our tools handle the hard work in the background.

To improve your garden yields with zero hassle, purchase WaterMate today.