If you don't want to become a slave to your balcony in summer, take care of automatic flower box irrigation in good time. There are several ways to make watering less strenuous.
Flower box with water storage
The first option for automatic flower box irrigation is the flower box with water storage, which offers space underground for a water supply. The water is sucked into the planted part via a strip of fabric. This planter watering system is ideal because it also avoids overwatering, which many plants don't like at all.
Watering is very even, you only need to top up the water supply occasionally. With the irrigation system, your plants can usually survive a vacation, as the amount of water stored can last for a longer period of time.
However, when purchasing the flower box with water storage, you must make sure that there is a false bottom, a water level indicator and an overflow. Otherwise you'll have to guess when to refill water, and your balcony plants would end up in a puddle every time it rains, which many plants can't survive.
The drip irrigation system
Another option for planter irrigation is a drip irrigation system that is permanently attached to a faucet. The supply to the plants can be precisely regulated by a moisture sensor in the soil. However, to use such a system you need special flower boxes, a control box on the tap and, above all, a water connection nearby, so this system is not suitable for many balconies.
Fully automatic flower box irrigation
The luxury version is the fully automatic flower box irrigation, e.g. B. is offered by the brand company Gardena. One set is enough for up to 5 to 6 meter flower boxes and can also be used without a tap nearby. The system is computer-controlled and offers 13 fixed programs; it can be expanded and expanded up to 10 meters.
Costs
- Flower boxes with water storage are already available for single-digit euro sums, but only made of plastic. However, the variants extend to the rattan-look planter, which has a plant insert with overflow and sub-irrigation system and costs around 110 euros in a quite impressive size.
- Drip irrigation systems are available from under 10 euros, with 3 controllers and 5 m hose. A comprehensive system with pressure reducer, 25 regulators, 32 m hose 6 mm and 24 m hose 2 mm diameter, 4 hose connectors, 4 hose distributors, 4 hose closures and assembly aid costs around 110 euros, a water container is also included.
- The fully automatic flower box irrigation is available as a starter set for around 100 euros. This includes a transformer with a rotary knob for selecting the irrigation programs, a 14 volt low-voltage pump, 25 row drippers with cap and cleaning needle, 10 meter distribution pipe and 15 pipe holders included.
Conclusion of the editors
Anyone who has enough to do without looking after plants will be significantly relieved by irrigation that works as if by itself. If you have decided to transform a huge terrace into a green vault, automatic irrigation can even be a prerequisite for the success of the project.
Tip:
There are also many ideas for automatic flower box irrigation that you can do yourself. Such systems are usually not as powerful as purchased ones, but they can keep your plants alive on hot days, even if watering is delayed, and in temperate climates, they can take care of the plants' weekend care.
