Watering and Feeding in Your Greenhouse
Water and a supply of nutrients are essential in all greenhouses big or small. The range of equipment spans the simple watering can filled from a tap with liquid feed added manually, right up to automatic watering kits which can run by themselves for up to 40 days.

Below we describe the equipment available and their advantages and disadvantages.

GREENHOUSE WATERING - WATERING CANS

There is a bewildering array of watering cans on the market and many simply do not do the job as well as the best. A watering can will be used for watering plants and accuracy is important for this. They will also be used to apply nutrients and sometimes other chemicals such as weed killers where accuracy is even more important.

Capacity of the watering can is important. To avoid constant refilling of a watering can, buy the biggest size that you think you can comfortably carry. Watering cans of 6 litre capacity are fine for most men, though women may find these too heavy when completely full. Make sure the rose (where the water comes out) is brass. Plastic ones will deform in heat or cold leaving you with a watering can which dribbles!

When buying a watering can remember that they can last literally decades, so buy the best one you can afford that does the job you want.

Capacity of the watering can is important. To avoid constant refilling of a watering can, buy the biggest size that you think you can comfortably carry. Watering cans of 6 litre capacity are fine for most men, though women may find these too heavy when completely full. Make sure the rose (where the water comes out) is brass. Plastic ones will deform in heat or cold leaving you with a watering can which dribbles!

When buying a watering can remember that they can last literally decades, so buy the best one you can afford that does the job you want. Click here for a range of professional watering cans that do the job well and efficiently.

GREENHOUSE WATERING - AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS

These systems rely on gravity or electricity to deliver water in controlled amounts to individual plant pots. These systems can supply water (or water with liquid feed in it) to many plant pots at the same time. They are great timesavers and can also be used to automatically water plants when you are not at home. Click here for a range of automatic watering systems from our recommended suppliers.

GREENHOUSE WATERING - CAPILLARY MATTING

This system of watering is covered in another section of our site but we repeat it here because it is probably the cheapest method of automatic watering. It is also surprisingly accurate given its simplicity. Again, this system is good for saving time and for watering plants automatically when you are not at home.

A special purpose greenhouse staging, called a capillary bench, is also widely available. This bench has a surface with edges raised a couple of inches (5cm). The surface is lined with capillary matting which goes over the side of the bench into a vat of water. The capillary matting will suck up the water and remain damp at all times. Pots placed on the surface of the capillary matting will then suck up the water and remain automatically watered.

This is very useful at any time of the year because the potted plants will remain evenly watered. It is especially useful if you plan to leave the plants uncared for whilst you go on holidays. Add some liquid fertiliser to the water vat and the plants will be automatically fed and watered.

You will need a level bench, some plastic sheeting to protect the bench and capillary matting to transfer the water and feed to your plants. A reservoir of water is also required. Simply lay the plastic on the bench, then cover with capillary matting. One end of the mat should be placed in the water reservoir. Then place the plants firmly on the capillary matting and they will draw the water from the reservoir, through the matting and into the soil.

Click here if you wish to buy capillary matting equipment online from our recommended suppliers for this equipment.

 

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