Automatic Irrigation System

Our automatic watering system helps gardeners grow more with less effort. Whether you're tending a polytunnel, allotment plot, greenhouse or flower bed, we have a solution that fits. Choose between mains-powered or solar-powered irrigation, and install WaterMate to transform your growing experience.

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WaterMate combines precision and sustainability for a healthier garden and planet. 

- Up to 80% Less Water Used

- Targeted Watering = Zero Waste

- Reduces Runoff and Overwatering

Why Choose Harvst’s Irrigation System? 

When it comes to smart irrigation, not all systems are designed to adapt to different applications or weather conditions. As a purpose-driven innovator, we’re on a mission to make gardening smarter, simpler and more rewarding through automatic watering. 

While our products are designed and manufactured in the UK, we ship globally, ensuring every solution is ready to handle the unique challenges and unpredictability of your growing environment. Our WaterMate range brings together intelligent automation, and sustainable engineering so you can achieve better results in your polytunnel, greenhouse, or garden. Unlike mass-produced imports, every Harvst auto watering system combines quality craftsmanship with genuine support from a team that understands your needs.

  • Up to 80% Less Water Used

  • Targeted Watering = Zero Waste

  • Reduces Runoff and Overwatering

What Makes Harvst Different?

We are a purpose-driven business.

Our mission is to help you grow more, which in turn helps to reduce food miles, waste, packaging, and chemicals being put into the environment.

It is our experience that for all ages, the satisfaction and mental health benefits of growing your own and generally interacting with nature cannot be overstated.

Plus, eating your own produce is just the best - it doesn’t get fresher!

The products we design and manufacture, in the hands of our customers, deliver this mission.

Buy WaterMate Pro Here!

What is WaterMate? Sensor-Based Automation Defined

WaterMate is a fully automated, sensor-driven irrigation system that waters your plants based on real-time conditions. 

It’s designed with the science of smart irrigation systems in mind, and is a great solution for everyday gardeners who want:

  • Peace of mind when they’re away or can’t react quickly to changing weather
  • Healthier, more disease and pest-resistant plants which yield more
  • Less hassle, and more time to do as they please

Unlike a basic timer or manual watering setup, WaterMate doesn’t just turn the tap on at set times. Instead, it also responds intelligently to your environment. 

This self watering system monitors temperature and humidity using precision sensors, automatically delivering the right amount of water when your plants need it most. This makes it a true automatic watering system that saves time, reduces waste, and keeps your plants consistently thriving.

How Smart Irrigation Transforms Home Growing

Smart irrigation isn’t just about watering plants; it’s about growing with confidence, consistency and saving time

For many gardeners, switching from manual watering to an automatic watering system marks a turning point, as it leads to fewer mistakes and more reliable growth, season after season.

Before installing a smart irrigation system, gardening is more time-intensive and decisions are less informed. You’re constantly checking the soil, the weather forecast, and hoping you’ve watered enough (but not too much). 

With a system like WaterMate, everything changes. Your garden looks after itself, and you can finally enjoy it, instead of struggling to manage it.

A Sustainable Watering Solution

Smart watering doesn’t just save time, it helps you garden responsibly.

Water conservation is becoming increasingly vital as the UK faces growing supply pressures, and 58% of UK garden centres now use automatic plant watering systems to improve efficiency. By choosing Harvst, you’re investing in technology that not only supports your plants but also supports a more sustainable future. With its flexible design and powerful automated drip irrigation system, WaterMate gives you complete control without constant oversight. It gives you back your freedom to be away from home.

Recent studies show that sensor-based auto irrigation systems can significantly reduce water use while improving plant health and yield. By combining smart sensors, sustainable design, and easy-to-use controls, Harvst’s automatic irrigation system helps gardeners grow more with less effort, and with far less water wasted.

Our Solar Powered Solutions

WaterMate’s solar-powered systems make it easy to water off-grid, whether you’re managing an allotment, greenhouse, or remote garden. The battery is charged by a small solar panel, providing reliable energy to run automatic watering schedules, with no mains power required. Even better, with solar power alone, it can deliver up to 120L of water per day in summer (more connected to mains power), keeping plants thriving without waste.

Perfect for spaces where power isn’t available, solar irrigation helps gardeners stay independent and eco-friendly.

Buy a Solar Powered WaterMate Mini

"A great product and really excellent customer service. I have the watermate system in my greenhouse - solar powered. It is easy enough to install and flexible enough to deal with different seasons and crops."

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

Why Gardeners Trust Us

  • Years of experience
  • Excellent independent reviews
  • Collaborations with universities, the Eden Project and other renowned growers
  • Clear documentation and installation instructions
  • Responsive support from real people who grow, too
  • Proven performance, with stronger, healthier plants and bigger yields

Key Benefits of Automated Watering for Veg, Flowers & Plants

Aside from making gardening more convenient, an automatic irrigation system also transforms how your plants grow and how much time you ‘have to’ spend in the garden. Switching from manual watering to a smart irrigation system means your plants get the consistency they crave, without you having to tend to them 24/7. You can enjoy time away from the garden, see better results, and benefit from less water waste.

Here are some more benefits of automatic watering for veg, flowers & plants:

Consistent Hydration Means Healthier Plants

A self watering system keeps soil moisture steady, so there’s no more dry roots or waterlogged patches. By delivering the right amount of water at the right time, your plants grow stronger and more resilient. Whether you’re nurturing vegetables, encouraging flowers, or working from container plants, consistency makes all the difference.

Saves Water and Lowers Bills

With water under increasing pressure in the UK, efficient watering matters more than ever. The ornamental and hobbyist irrigation market alone uses around 20 million m³ annually, but with an automatic watering system, not a drop goes to waste. This reduces overall consumption and helps lower your water bills while supporting sustainable growing practices.

Frees Up Time for Growers

No need to rush home, delay holidays or plan around the weather. Automation takes care of the routine, freeing you to focus on the fun parts of gardening, like planting, harvesting, and simply enjoying your space. 

It’s especially ideal for:

  • Busy gardeners juggling work and family life
  • Allotment owners who can’t always visit daily
  • Anyone looking to holiday-proof their garden without relying on neighbours or guesswork

As smart tech continues to be a part of everyday life, adopting an automatic plant watering system is a natural next step for gardeners who value efficiency and sustainability, as well as great results.

Why WaterMate Beats Traditional Self-Watering Systems

Tired of timers and manual watering that never quite work? WaterMate takes the guesswork and the hassle out of keeping your plants healthy. Our smart irrigation system that actually listens to your garden.

Traditional self-watering system setups often rely on fixed schedules or passive wicking, which can easily lead to overwatering, underwatering, or inconsistent soil moisture. Manual watering also takes time and constant attention, while timer-based systems don’t account for sudden heatwaves.

WaterMate, on the other hand, uses real-time sensor data to deliver just the right amount of water when your plants need it, rather than just when a clock says so. Once your automatic plant watering system is set up, it doesn’t take long before you see the difference. Benefit from happier plants with stronger roots and enjoy better yields.

  • Traditional Watering vs. WaterMate:

    • Manual watering is inconsistent and time-consuming
    • Timer-based systems ignore environmental conditions
    • WaterMate is precise, sensor-informed, and fully automatic for stress-free plant health

  • Key Outcomes:

    • Water accurately (root zone) 
    • Reduced water waste 
    • Better yields 
    • Less disease 

Smart irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 27% while improving efficiency. They also cut down on labour time, freeing growers to focus on planting, pruning, and enjoying their gardens. 

With WaterMate as your automatic sprinkler system, you can grow more plants and enjoy gardening without the constant work.

Who Is WaterMate For? 

Whether you’re nurturing a few herbs or managing an allotment, WaterMate is designed to fit your setup. Our automatic watering system adapts to the way you grow, giving you smart, sensor-based automatic watering that saves time and reduces waste, helping every plant thrive.

Across the UK, around 42% of the population regularly garden, and 38% grow fruit, vegetables, or herbs. From weekend gardeners to committed greenhouse growers, our drip irrigation automation system offers an easy, sustainable upgrade to how you water.

Gardeners often report feeling more enjoyment and greater confidence once they install an automatic watering system. Instead of being reactive, you’ll become proactive and in control of your growing environment, no matter the weather or your schedule. Not only will your plants thrive, but you will, too. 

  • Greenhouse & Polytunnel Hobbyists

    If your pride and joy lives under a glass or poly roof, you’ll have noticed it does rain much on your plants. WaterMate helps maintain perfect conditions without the need for daily watering. It also reacts to changing conditions to ensure your tomatoes, chillies, or flowers get precise care through every season.

  • Urban Growers

    No garden? No problem. For balcony setups, patio pots, and raised beds, WaterMate acts as a compact self watering system, keeping your plants healthy even in limited spaces. It’s an ideal solution for anyone who wants to grow more with less effort.

  • Allotment Owners

    When you’re managing multiple plant beds or can’t visit every day, automation is a game-changer. Getting water to your plot can be a pain, which is why WaterMate’s ability to function off-grid with a solar powered pump is so good. Whatever you grow, WaterMate makes automatic watering simple and reliable, helping you spend less time with a hose and more time enjoying the fruits (and veg) of your labour. 

Multi-Zone Irrigation Explained - Why Zones Matter

Different areas of your garden have different needs, and WaterMate gives you the ability to control up to 6 different zones. Designed for flexibility, it lets you water multiple separate areas independently, using unique schedules and sensor inputs for each.

Multi-zone watering allows you to maximise your garden’s productivity. Each zone is managed by an electric valve that can run its own programme. For instance, one for misting delicate seedlings, and another for steady drips feeding tomato plants. 

Each zone reaches 20m2, meaning that with 6 zones, you can cover 120m2 using a single pump. It’s versatile, flexible, and powerful.

The products we design and manufacture, in the hands of our customers, deliver this mission.

Buy an Extra Zone Controller

Supported Use Cases

Greenhouses and Polytunnels

Since natural rainfall is absent in these environments, the system ensures consistent, reliable watering regardless of your time or availability. It also actively responds to environmental conditions (e.g., temperature fluctuations), providing necessary irrigation precisely when your plants need it, ensuring steady growth even when you are not present.

Raised Veg and Flowers Beds*

Keeps crops and flowers evenly hydrated through dry spells.

*where the control unit can be kept off the ground and shelter provided - a bucket works!

Pots and containers*

Perfect for patios or indoor setups needing precise control.

*where the control unit can be kept off the ground and shelter provided - a bucket works!

DIY vs Pre-Built Kits – What’s Best for You?

Whether you’re hands-on or want a ready-to-go setup, WaterMate gives you the flexibility to choose. Some gardeners enjoy building their automatic watering system from scratch, while others prefer unpacking a complete kit and getting started right away. WaterMate supports both approaches, so you can match your setup to your skill level, budget, and garden layout.

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

  • DIY irrigation systems

    DIY is great for those who like to personalise their auto irrigation system and fine-tune every detail.

    • Industry Standards: WaterMate uses standard fittings, meaning you can connect up to third-party kit.
    • Tech-Savvy Users: Enjoy configuring your own timers, valves, and sensors exactly how you want them.
    • Custom Setups: Ideal for larger or more complex gardens where unique layouts call for a tailored design.

  • Pre-built irrigation kits

    Pre-built setups are ideal for gardeners who want convenience and reliability straight out of the box.

    • Faster Setup: Comes ready to install, with all components tested and matched for performance.
    • No Guesswork: Everything you need is included, so you can start watering within minutes.

    Whichever route you take, Harvst makes it simple to create a system that fits your growing space, with support every step of the way.

FAQs

Is WaterMate a drip irrigation system?

Yes, in that you can fit micro irrigation drippers to the hoses, but it is not gravity fed. It’s a high pressure system which helps prevent the nozzles clogging – a common problem with low pressure or gravity fed drip watering systems.  The benefits of drip irrigation include the ability to deliver water only to the roots of a plant – great for watering those that don’t like wet leaves, and helps you save water.

What makes a good polytunnel watering system?

Polytunnel automatic watering can be done in a number of different ways, ranging from overhead misters, to soak hose embedded in the soil, to individual plant drippers and dripper lines. You’ll have different plants growing in different areas of the polytunnel that each need watering in different ways, at different stages of their growth, too. Here’s a way to approach the challenge.

A versatile foundation

You probably don’t want to be setting up your polytunnel watering system from scratch every year, so put the foundations in place which you can modify each season, and throughout the season as plants change. Typically this involves distribution pipes, from which you take off the type of watering you need. 13mm LDPE hose is what we recommend for common small to medium sized domestic polytunnels; you get enough water flow through the pipes and they are not too cumbersome to manage.

A range of outlets / emitters

Your salad might want misting or spraying. Your tomatoes would prefer drip feeding or bottom feeding. A tray of seedlings would like a combination of spraying and bottom watering. A perfect automatic polytunnel watering system will need to deal with all these situations.

The Harvst WaterMate Pro has two separate watering zones, which helps with the first level of separation. You can have one zone for distributing water around your polytunnel to dripper lines, and the other zone for spraying and misting. With taps in suitable places, you can choose which physical areas in your polytunnel get misted, and which get drippers.

A high flow rate

Polytunnel watering can consume a lot of water, so whatever automatic watering system you use you’ll need to make sure it can provide enough flow to supply all the outlets you are using. The smaller, high pressure pumps used in many plant self watering systems simply don’t provide enough flow for a larger area. You’ll get some water to the first few outlets and then the rest will be dry. The 3 gallon per hour pump supplied with the WaterMate pro will feed up to 60 outlets per watering zone at a good flow rate.

Good water pressure

Flow rate isn’t all you need. You’ll need the pressure to push water through all the pipes, up into the roof, and deal with the long pipe runs encountered in a polytunnel. A small, camper-van style pump might claim 15 litres per minute, but when you connect it to a long pipe system, it won’t have the pressure to get the water through.

Solar powered

Most polytunnels don’t have mains electricity available, so any automatic watering system for a polytunnel will need to be solar powered. Coupled with the need for a powerful pump which draws significant current, this doesn’t leave you with many off-the-shelf options. Your solar generating capacity will need to match or exceed your pumping power drain – even better if the automatic watering system can monitor your battery capacity and adapt the automating watering appropriately.

Do I need to have WiFi to use the WaterMate?

No! WaterMate will run fine without WiFi. The system will transmit its own WiFi signal, which you can connect to when you are within a few metres of the control unit. 

What is the capacity of the WaterMate Mini?

The WaterMate Mini can power two separate zones (or 3 zones with a second pump). Each zone could be up to:

  • 10m of soak hose or
  • 40 x drippers or
  • 20 x sprayers or misters or
  • A combination of soak hose, drippers, sprayers and misters

A sprayer nozzle can typically cover up to 1 metre squared. With a full capacity of 20 sprayers, that’s 20 metres squared of soil. Alternatively, one dripper per plant (eg tomato) means a capacity of 40 tomato plants.

What is the capacity of the WaterMate Pro?

The WaterMate Pro can power two separate zones (or 3 zones with a second pump). Each zone could be up to:

  • 30m of soak hose or
  • 120 x drippers or
  • 40 x sprayers or misters or
  • A combination of soak hose, drippers, sprayers and misters

A sprayer nozzle can typically cover up to 1 metre squared. With a full capacity of 40 sprayers, that’s 40 metres squared of soil. Alternatively, one dripper per plant (eg tomato) means a capacity of 120 tomato plants.

How do I setup my watering regime?

You will need to log 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 is dry
  • Skip watering when the soil is already damp

Watering is automatically reduced on cloudy, overcast days.

How do I install the irrigation pipework?

Everyone’s use of our WaterMate is different, so there is no ‘correct’ way to set up your irrigation pipes. We recommend that you have the two watering zones set up with distribution pipes around the perimeter of your greenhouse, polytunnel, or beds – with either sprayers inserted directly into the pipe, or with take-offs at regular intervals for rings of drippers on a 4mm hose.

You would use drippers for larger plants where you know exactly where the water is needed, and use sprayers for larger areas of plants (such as salads), or for seedlings.

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.

Can I use misters or foggers?

Yes, you can. The WaterMate Pro pump is capable of powering at least 20 mister outlets per zone.

Can I run heaters and lighting with WaterMate?

The solar powered WaterMate Mini and Pro run on a battery, limiting power which means you cannot directly run heaters or lights. However, the mains powered versions of the WaterMate can run heating and lighting.

How long do I need to water for?

Each zone can be set to water from 1 second to 5 minutes at a time. Five minutes might not sound like much, but with water being delivered to the whole area at once, this is a significant amount of water. The pump is rated at 12 litres per minute, which reduces to approximately 10 litres per minute when you have the valves, nozzles, drippers etc connected. Five minutes would be 50 litres.

Can I use a tap instead of the pump?

Yes! WaterMate will work fine with a tap, so you won’t need a pump. Select the garden hose choice when you order. The hose (which must be left turned on) simply connects to the dual watering zone valves which act as an electric tap.

I have mains power in my greenhouse/polytunnel, can I use that?

Yes, you can. We provide an alternative control unit which does not need the solar panel. The mains version comes with extra outputs for additional pumps, heater cables and/or grow lights.

Can I override the automatic watering manually?

Yes. If you’re in the greenhouse or polytunnel, you can either use your smartphone or you can use the button on the control unit if you don’t have your phone with you.

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 (outside the polytunnel or greenhouse is best) up to 3m away from the control unit. Solar panel extension cables are available.

What about air locks? Is it reliable?

The powerful self priming pump does not suffer from air locks, so if your water tank runs out and then refills later, the system will have no problems restarting, without you needing to prime it.

Are replacement parts available?

Yes, all components are available as replacements or upgrades. There is a 2 year manufacturers warranty on all major components. Warranty on batteries in solar units is 1 year from purchase.

What irrigation parts are compatible with WaterMate?

We’ve designed the system to work with any 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.

Smarter Irrigation with WaterMate

Start growing smarter today with WaterMate, a sensor-based, reliable and fully automatic watering system.

With WaterMate, you can stop worrying about over or under-watering and focus on what matters most: seeing your plants thrive. Whether you’re managing a few pots or an entire allotment, our drip irrigation automation system gives you control, convenience, and consistency every single day. 

Smart irrigation makes gardening easier and sustainable. Save money on metered usage, stay compliant during hosepipe bans, and protect the environment by conserving every drop. To find your fit, start exploring our options now.