Irrigation vs Hand Watering Services: Comparing Your Options

If you have plants, you need to water them effectively (and, if you’ve ever had a house plant wilt away, you know the consequences of getting that wrong).

But what is the most effective way to water your plants? Hand watering or an irrigation system?

It can be confusing to know which to choose, especially when you consider all the relevant factors like cost, sustainability, effectiveness, and the level of work required.

The good news? We’re here to simplify the decision.

Here’s everything you need to know about irrigation vs hand watering services.

If you want to learn more about irrigation, check out our other resources:

1. How much does irrigation cost

2. How to choose the best irrigation supplier

3. Pros and cons of irrigation

Hand watering 

Hand watering, as the name suggests, is the process of going around and manually watering each plant, each day. This lawn solution option is a little more complicated than it sounds at first as it requires dedication, as well as intimate knowledge of your plants and their water requirements each season. Typically, a hand watering service is ideal if you have lots of small potted plants.

Irrigation 

Irrigation, on the other hand, involves the installation and use of an irrigation system that applies water directly to the root zone of your plants at a defined interval. This is a more hands-off and precise watering service, though the installation will typically be more expensive.

So what are the pros and cons of each service? Here are some key considerations:

Hand watering pros and cons 

Hand watering is a feasible watering option if:

• You have potted plants: If you live in an urban setting and you mostly have planting beds or decorative pots, then hand watering makes sense.
• You *really* know how to water: If you want to hand water your plants yourself, you can do so if you really know how to water. This is not very common, as most people apply too little water (or too much) and wind up killing their plants.
• You have time: You have to hand water slowly and repeatedly to allow enough water to soak all the way down to the roots. This requires patience and time, particularly when you’re dealing with a larger plant.
• You want to check your plants daily: Since you have to be out there every day, hand watering also allows you to be totally up-to-date and in-the-know about how your plants are looking and progressing.

All of these points can really either be pros or cons depending on the amount of knowledge, time, and plants that you have. In short, it all depends on your unique situation.

Irrigation pros and cons 

Irrigation, conversely, is ideal for:

• Newly installed landscapes: New landscapes generally require quite a bit of TLC to ensure that they become established and begin to thrive. That means they need a lot of water, particularly when compared to more mature, established properties. If you’re installing new landscaping, then, you should consider a new irrigation system as well.
• Efficiency: You can also automatically adjust your irrigation system – for example with drip irrigation solutions – seasonally to deliver the perfect amount of water year round – all efficiency, no waste. This can be very environmentally friendly.
• Comprehensive watering: Because an irrigation system is applied all over your landscape – and because it brings water directly to the plant roots – it can help ensure that no spots are missed and that your plants are evenly watered.

On the flip side, it’s also important to keep in mind that irrigation:

• Requires a bit of construction: To install an irrigation system, a team will have to disrupt your current landscape, which can be be a bit inconvenient.
• Will require some maintenance: Yes, irrigation is much more of a “set it and forget it” watering process. That said, you will need occasional repairs and inspections to make sure that your system is working properly and to check for any needed adjustments or repairs. Otherwise, you risk dealing with wasted water and an unhealthy landscape.
• Is more costly: Remember, irrigation requires the installation and maintenance of literal hardware, which can have higher up-front costs. That said, it’s important to remember that irrigation can also save you money in the long run, as it can help keep  your plants from dying and needing to be replaced.

Learn more about Irrigation Costs in Australia

So, with all that in mind, how do you choose the right system for you?

Again, if you have a green thumb, a ton of time, and an extensive amount of plant knowledge, then you can certainly consider hand watering – it will be cost-effective and even relaxing if gardening is your thing.

However, if you don’t possess these qualities, or you prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” approach to effective watering, then you may want to consider irrigation.

There is no right or wrong here, it’s all about making the decision that most closely matches your skills, budget, and lifestyle.

Summer Irrigation Tips Revealed

Can I just rely on the rain?

This isn’t an ideal option. If you have any kind of landscaping, you want to make sure that it lives and thrives in a healthy, balanced environment. This is crucial if you want to keep your plants alive, tave off disease (as over-watering or under-watering your plants can cause them to become diseased and unwell), and protect the environment by not wasting natural resources.

And, unless you have professional gardening experience, this is hard to accomplish on your own. It’s also really difficult to accomplish with standard sprinklers. They tend to over-spray the plants and spray the leaves, encouraging disease and wasting valuable water. That’s why professional watering services and the installation of an irrigation system can make all the difference.

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to hand watering your plants vs installing an irrigation system.

Again, it all comes down to the amount of time you have to spare, the amount of know-how you have, your budget, and your overall goals with your garden or landscaping. If you’re an expert, great! You can hand water every day and we are sure it will look beautiful.

If you’re not, though, and you want an efficient, hands-off, fully adjustable system, then irrigation may be the best choice for you. Have some questions? We’re happy to talk them through with you! You can reach us directly here.

Happy gardening!