With our unpredictable English weather, you have to make the most of the sunshine when you can. So the last thing you will want to do is interrupt your relaxing time, to go and water your whole garden.

Bearing this in mind Earlswood have introduced an enhanced range of irrigation solutions, all of these systems are ideal for cutting watering time in half. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, you'll find that any one of these watering systems will help you to manage your garden much more easily, allowing you to spend more time doing the things you want, rather than the things you have to do.

Automatic:

An automatic watering system takes the work out of watering - it waters your plants properly all through the season, and keeps the amount of water you use in the garden tightly under control. It consists of a network of pipes that carry water around the garden, and tiny water outlets that deliver the water directly to your plants. Used in conjunction with an electronic timer, which attaches directly to your outside tap, the system will run itself, watering as often and for as long as you choose.

Pots, hanging baskets & containers require daily watering to ensure beautiful results. With an automatic watering system, you don't have to remember to water. The system will do it for you - at the right time every day! This is also the ideal solution for your tomatoes and vegetable patch.

On a water meter and keen to keep costs down? With an automatic watering system, you can water quickly and efficiently while ensuring that all the water goes directly to your plants and that none is wasted.

It makes sense to plan out your system on paper before you build it.

Sketch the area where you are going to build your system on.

• The fixed elements (house, tap, etc)
• Distance from tap to start of system
• Length of fences, walls, bed where supply tube will run.
• Key planting areas and obstacles
• Height of fence panels, walls, etc., if hanging baskets are to be watered

EASY INSTALLATION

Tools generally required for installation:

• A Stanley knife or a strong pair of scissors, for cutting tubing
• A hammer, for fixing tubing to walls or fencing
• A bowl of hot water, for softening the ends of tubing, to make inserting connectors easier

To install the system, first lay the supply network.

1. Layout and cut the supply tubes . Weight it down in places until it "relaxes". Immersing it in warm water or laying it in the sun will help.
2. Use "T" connectors, elbow connectors and straight connectors where required to join up the lengths and create a continuous supply network.
3. If necessary, fix the tubing to the ground with supply tube stakes to stop it moving as you work. Cover or bury it later if you wish.
4. Seal off the supply tube by inserting the end into the hole on the end sleeve , fold the supply tube over and push back into the end sleeve .
5. Attach the tube to your threaded outside tap through a pressure regulator , which will ensure that the system works correctly. The pressure regulator can be screwed directly onto your tap, or onto an electronic water timer for a fully automated system.

1. Don't water when it's not needed, stick a finger into the soil to find out if it's really dry.

2. Water early or late in the day to avoid evaporation. Water evaporates faster at midday.

3. Make sure you water directly at the base of plants where the water is needed rather than the leaves.

4. Applying a layer of mulch, like bark chips, helps prevent water evaporating before reaching the roots.

5. Install drip irrigation systems, such as a Hozelock, which will deliver water precisely and economically directly to the plants.

6. Fit a waterstop connector to the end of your hose so that the water flow stops automatically as soon as you disconnect your spray gun or other watering tool.

7. Use a Hozelock AC water timer to automatically turn on and off water in case you forget.

8. A spray gun with trigger controls like Hozelock's range uses up to 80% less water than an open hosepipe.