Irrigation for Hanging Baskets

Watering schedules need to be consistent and precise for your hanging baskets to thrive. This is where Harvst’s irrigation system comes in handy. With smart, weather responsive controls and precision watering, our automatic hanging plant watering system ensures your plants receive proper hydration.

Why Smart Irrigation is Essential for Hanging Baskets

Whilst growing plants or flowers in hanging baskets comes with several advantages, such as protection from pests and improved air flow, they’re also exposed to a high-drainage environment that’s prone to rapid drying.

Common watering mistakes or even minor neglect can lead to reduced plant health, irreversible root damage or crispy and dry top leaves. It’s important to ensure the efficacy of your irrigation system for hanging baskets to prevent root rot, fungal diseases and to maintain ideal moisture levels.

An automatic watering system for hanging baskets provides consistent hydration with minimal effort. It saves you time on busy days while ensuring your plants receive water according to temperature, conditions, and their specific needs.

  • Up to 80% Less Water Used

  • Targeted Watering = Zero Waste

  • Reduces Runoff and Overwatering

How WaterMate Works for Hanging Baskets 

Harvst’s WaterMate is a solar-powered watering system designed to keep pots and hanging baskets thriving. Its dual-zone setup supports drip irrigation, misting, drippers, sprayers or a soak hose, giving you flexible watering exactly where it’s needed. 

The WaterMate Mini can handle up to 40 pots using 4L/hr standard drippers, while the WaterMate Pro is ideal for larger spaces, watering up to 120 pots with the same setup.

This irrigation system requires no mains power - it’s 100% off-grid. The powerful built-in pump means you don’t need a tap or garden hose, so it can operate anywhere with a water tank. If you do have access to a tap, simply leave out the pump.

Smart and water-efficient, WaterMate won’t irrigate when the soil is already moist and can increase watering when your plants need more. It tracks temperature and works alongside a timed schedule to deliver precisely the right amount of water. It’s app controlled, and if your greenhouse is within range of a WiFi network, you can manage and monitor from anywhere, and even receive email alerts.

Buy WaterMate Pro Here!

Challenges That Automatic Watering Solves

Most gardeners end up hand-watering the plants in their hanging baskets, but while it may seem simple, it takes time and consistent effort as plants in hanging baskets are more likely to lose moisture - at double the rate than plants in pots or soil beds. 

When watering isn’t balanced, growth can become stunted. The surface may appear damp while the roots beneath remain dry, leaving plants stressed and undernourished. 

Hanging baskets are also exposed to higher evaporation rates, especially in warm or windy conditions. This is particularly challenging with peat-free composts, which can dry out quickly and become hydrophobic - meaning water runs off rather than soaking in. Such conditions can lead to the premature withering of plants and flowers.

Here’s How to Set up Watermate

The Benefits of an Automatic Hanging Basket Watering System

If you’re looking to simplify your gardening routine and enjoy vibrant, healthy hanging baskets that thrive for months, investing in an automatic watering system can make all the difference. It ensures your flowers or plants receive the right amount of water at the right time, with precise and consistent delivery directly to the root zone.

Whether you’re growing colourful petunias, juicy cherry tomatoes or trailing ivy, you’ll notice a clear improvement in plant health and performance with a dedicated hanging basket irrigation system.

What you can achieve with our hanging basket irrigation system:

  • Precise, consistent watering directly to the root zone
  • More sustainable and efficient water use
  • Saves time and reduces daily effort
    Ideal for off-grid gardens or allotments with solar-powered options
  • Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
  • Fully programmable watering schedules
  • Dual-zone capability for different plant need
  • Ability to adjust daily watering even while you’re away
  • Healthier plants with stronger, longer-lasting growth

How to Install WaterMate

The WaterMate irrigation system for hanging baskets is straightforward to install and requires no specialist tools or equipment. Its solar-powered electronic control unit uses environmental sensors, combined with your chosen timer programme, to water plants across two independent irrigation zones.

Water can be supplied either via the integrated pump or directly from a tap. All settings are managed through a user-friendly app available on Android and iPhone. If WiFi is available nearby, WaterMate can connect to the internet, allowing you to monitor and manage your pots and hanging baskets from anywhere. You can also enable email alerts for added peace of mind.

WaterMate has been developed as an automatic hanging plant watering system to water pots and hanging baskets anywhere you’re able to grow. Fixings are included to secure the LDPE distribution pipe, control unit and solar panel to a wall or gate.

If mounting the control unit outdoors, it should be positioned in a sheltered location to prevent water ingress. The WaterMate Pro is also available with its own mounting board for convenient installation. Step-by-step setup videos are available to guide you through the process.

Buy WaterMate Mini

What Sets Our Watermate Range Apart?

  • Automated sensor-based irrigation system

  • Genuinely ‘smart’, responding to live conditions

  • Works off-grid - no mains power required

  • The only ‘everything you need in one box’ complete kit

  • Responds to temperature changes, adjusting watering frequency on hot or cool days

  • Uses industry-standard irrigation fittings

  • Most customisable and powerful (WaterMate Pro), irrigation system available 

  • The only system designed and Made in Britain
Buy Your Automatic Irrigation System

Off-Grid and Solar Power Use for Hanging Baskets

WaterMate’s solar-powered setup keeps your hanging baskets hydrated using stored energy. The system’s solar panel, controller, and battery combine to deliver reliable irrigation across off-grid areas.

WaterMate’s solar setup ensures your irrigation schedule runs like clockwork, even when you’re completely off-grid. A compact 10W solar panel charges an onboard battery, giving the controller enough power to water for 10 minutes / day during an averagely sunny day in the UK, which equates to 120 litres. Additional solar panels can be added for shady locations, or connected to mains power where available.

Benefits of a Solar-Powered Irrigation System:

  • Fully wireless setup for simple installation
  • Multi-day battery capacity for dependable watering
  • Ideal for hanging baskets away from mains supply

Which Growers Use WaterMate?

An automatic system, like Harvst’s WaterMate also gives you complete peace of mind. You can head off on holiday without worrying about your plants, while monitoring watering schedules, temperatures and overall conditions through a simple smartphone app. It’s a convenient, reliable solution for busy days at home or time spent away.

Busy professionals who frequently travel

Maintain healthy hanging baskets even when you’re away from home.

Families who are often away

Keep plants consistently watered during holidays, weekends away or busy periods.

Gardeners looking to save time and effort

Reduce daily hand-watering and simplify your routine with automated irrigation.

Those with vertical gardens

Ensure consistent hydration for plants positioned higher up or in hard-to-reach areas.

Gardening enthusiasts focused on sustainability

Lower water waste and conserve energy with sensor-led, solar-powered watering.

WaterMate Models & Kit Options

Every garden layout has its own watering requirements, and there’s a WaterMate kit designed to match all of them. Each system includes all components needed for automatic watering, with simple installation and room for flexibility. You can also DIY your own set up, or add on extra zones, too. 

  • WaterMate Mini

    Dual zone | Up to 6 m²

    A compact option for smaller spaces, such as front garden beds or single borders. The Mini version delivers steady watering across dual planting areas and supports up to 40 drippers or 12 sprayers for precise moisture control.

    Buy WaterMate Mini 

  • WaterMate Pro

    Expandable Multi-Zone | Up to 6 zones

    Built for larger or multi-zone flower beds. The Pro model supports up to 120 drippers or 40 sprayers (20m2 per zone) and features a pump rated to 35 psi, ideal for larger beds or multi-zone layouts.

    Buy WaterMate Pro 

Product specifications and features are subject to ongoing improvement. For the latest details, please see individual product listings.

FAQs

Is WaterMate a drip irrigation system?

Yes - WaterMate supports micro-irrigation drippers fitted to the hoses. However, unlike gravity-fed systems, it operates as a high-pressure irrigation system. This helps reduce the risk of nozzle blockages, which are common with low-pressure or gravity-fed drip setups.

Drip irrigation allows water to be delivered directly to the root zone, making it ideal for plants that prefer dry foliage and helping to reduce overall water usage.

How do I set up my watering schedule with Harvst WaterMate?

You can either interact with the WaterMate via the screen and buttons on the actual control unit, or by logging on to the Harvst web app using a smartphone. 

From there, you have access to the following settings for two zones:

  • How long to water for, from 1 second to 5 minutes
  • When to water, from twice a day to once every 5 days
  • Solar boost- when it’s been hot and sunny for more than 4/6/8 hours, to give extra water
  • Water when the soil when it is dry
  • Skip watering when the soil is already damp

Watering is automatically reduced on cloudy, overcast days.

I have mains power near my pots/hanging baskets, can I use that?

Yes, you can, just select the mains power option, as opposed to Solar. 

How & where do I mount the solar panel?

We provide a versatile solar panel mounting bracket, which is screwed to a wall or post. You can place the solar panel in the optimum position for sunshine up to 3m away from the control unit of your automatic watering system for hanging baskets. Solar panel extension cables are available.

What about frost damage and decommissioning it for winter?

WaterMate has automatic frost damage protection. It will not run the pump if the temperature falls below 1 degree centigrade.

What irrigation parts are compatible with WaterMate?

We’ve designed our hanging basket watering system to work with any standard off-the-shelf irrigation and micro-irrigation parts. The kits are provided with 13mm LDPE pipe, 4mm micro irrigation kits, and a selection of spray nozzles for you to experiment with. When you have decided what you like, you can add more.

Are replacement parts available?

Yes. All components are available as replacement parts or upgrades. Major components come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Batteries in solar-powered units are covered by a 1-year warranty from purchase.

Can I use a soak/porous hose?

Yes, you can. The WaterMate Pro pump is capable of powering at least 15m of hose. It will cycle on/off once the hose has reached pressure.

How do I install the irrigation pipework?

Every garden setup is different, so there is no single “correct” layout. Generally, we recommend configuring both watering zones with distribution pipework running around the perimeter of your growing area.

You can either insert sprayers directly into the main pipe or use take-offs at intervals to connect 4mm hoses with dripper rings.

Drippers are ideal for larger individual plants where precise watering is required. Sprayers work well for broader planted areas, such as salads or seedlings, where wider coverage is beneficial.

Can WaterMate operate without a tap?

You can automatically water pots and hanging baskets without a nearby tap - simply use a water tank. The powerful pump delivers up to 15 litres per minute at 35psi, exceeding typical mains pressure. If a tap is available, connect directly to the dual-zone valve and omit the pump.

Get Your Hanging Basket Irrigation System Today

Are you looking for an effective yet simple way to keep your plants in hanging baskets healthy and nourished? Look no further than the automatic hanging plant watering system by Harvst, WaterMate. Whether you’re a busy gardener or someone who’s frequently away from home, this hanging basket irrigation system promises to make your life easier.

It’s quick and easy set up helps you automate your gardening routine, freeing up precious time for other important tasks and to enjoy your garden. With solar-powered options, you could take your garden off-grid while also saving on water through precision drip irrigation. 

So what are you waiting for? Join thousands of gardeners across the UK and beyond who have benefitted from WaterMate.