The debate is ongoing: Should you water your garden by hand or install an irrigation system? Those who favour using a hosepipe insist that watering by hand is relaxing and saves you water. But those who have an irrigation system say that if it’s installed correctly, it’s more water-efficient and requires less effort. If you decide to go with an irrigation system, the right approach will mean less hassle later. Which Is Better?

BY HAND 
Pros

• It’s cheaper – you only need a garden hose.
• You save water by watering only where it’s really necessary.
• While watering you can see which parts of your garden need attention.

Cons

• It’s time-consuming.
• Plants may wilt if you don’t have time to water on hot days.
• You can apply too much water in a short period of time, causing the water to run off. This is especially problematic if you have clay soil because the water doesn’t have enough time to sink in and is wasted.
• During the holidays, someone has to water your garden.

A MANUAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM 
Pros

• You only have to turn the taps on and off – the irrigation system does the rest.
• You can water large areas of the garden at once, which saves a lot of time.
• The water is applied slowly, which means that there’s very little run-off.

Cons

• You still have to get someone to turn on the taps when you’re away on holiday.
• It’s more costly.

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