One of the things that I have wanted to work on for the past couple of years is adding irrigation to my main garden so that I do not have to water by hand. Not that I mind it but sometimes life is busy, and I do not have time to get out there when I want. Last year, I started adding Garden in Minutes grid systems to my raised beds. They are great!
One of the main benefits is happier plants. Since I did not finish connecting all of my irrigation I had a comparison of the growth in the beds that had irrigation versus those that did not. There was a clear winner! So now? I must get the rest of the irrigation done.
Shop my Garden in Minutes link and use code LITTLETECHGIRL to save an additional 7% off your grid system.
If you are tired of spending hours watering, or you are too busy to get out there like you want this may be the solution. Sure, you can build your own irrigation, and I’m actually doing a combination of both. My smaller round planters aka steel tubs and 5-gallon buckets will get traditional irrigation. But, all of the beds will eventually be GIM kits. If you have raised beds, and are not handy, or want a ready to go, easy to use kit, the Garden in Minutes grids are the way to go.
What are Garden in Minutes Grid Systems?
Garden in Minutes grid systems are a network of interconnected tubing that waters your beds and delivers water directly to the roots of your plants. The grid layout ensures even water distribution across the entire raised bed, preventing dry spots (which is something we are not great at when hand watering) and promoting healthy growth. They come ready to use, so you do not have to worry about connecting tons of tubing yourself.
Benefits of Garden Irrigation
Having irrigation solves many issues:
- It saves you time.
- It saves you stress when on vacation, when busy, or when not feeling well.
- It leads to healthier, larger plants because they get a consistent flow of water.
- It saves water because when you water by hand, or just lay the hose in the bed, you may water a lot more than needed, which causes run off and wastes water.
Benefits of the Garden In Minutes System
- Efficient Water Distribution: The grid design ensures every plant receives an equal amount of water, promoting consistent growth and preventing underwatering or overwatering.
- Time-Saving: Using a manual or smart timer, you can automate your watering schedule, freeing up your time for other gardening tasks or simply enjoying your beautiful garden.
- Water Conservation: By delivering water directly to the roots, these systems minimize water waste through evaporation and runoff, making them an eco-friendly choice.
- Easy Installation: Garden in Minutes” systems are designed for easy DIY installation, with clear instructions and all the necessary components included.
- Customizable: These systems can be adapted to fit various raised bed sizes and configurations, ensuring a perfect fit for your garden. And, you can even tie them into your existing irrigation system, or connect them with other brands which is something I am doing.
- Prevents Water on Leaves: Some plants like tomatoes, do not like getting their leaves wet (not counting rain). By watering at the base of the plants, these systems help prevent fungal diseases and other issues caused by wet foliage.
How Do They Work?
The GIM system consists of a network of tubing laid out in a grid pattern within your raised bed. They pre-assemble these for you at the factory, so you don’t have to. All you have to do is add a couple of pieces and connect it to your water source, such as a garden hose or a rain barrel. And if you want to automate it (which I recommend), connect it to a garden timer. When the water is turned on, it flows through the tubing and water is delivered to each plant’s root zone through small emitters or drip lines.
Comparing Garden in Minutes to Hand Watering
| Feature | “Garden in Minutes” | Traditional Watering |
|---|---|---|
| Water Efficiency | High | Low |
| Time Savings | High | Low |
| Even Water Distribution | Excellent | Fair |
| Disease Prevention | High | Fair |
| Installation | Easy | Moderate |
Who Needs a Garden in Minutes System?
In a perfect world I would be out in my garden all every day all day in the summer. But, unfortunately I work a full-time job so I cannot be out there as much as I like. And on hot days, when it’s better to water in the morning, I do not have time since I’m getting ready for work. So… irrigation and Garden in Minutes grids solve my problem.
Garden in Minutes grid raised bed watering systems are perfect for:
- Urban gardeners with limited space like backyard gardens.
- Busy individuals who don’t have time for daily hand-watering.
- Anyone looking to conserve water.
- Gardeners who want to maximize the yield of their raised beds.
My Irrigation Plan
Although I started last year, I am looking forward to getting the rest of my beds fitted with grids. That is my goal this spring! I already have 5 beds hooked up. There are 5 more beds to add to the system… for now. I will worry about the beds outside of the main garden later.
GIM makes it easy to add on later. The site offers everything you need to get started. You choose the size and shape of your grid. There are many available to fit just about any common sized raised bed. For example, some of my beds are 3×6, some are 2×6, another is 4×4. They have them all! They are an investment, but totally worth it in my opinion.
You choose whether or not you want corners, or no corners. No corners are helpful for rounded beds. And you choose accessories like the multi-grid connection manifold, or extra hoses for connecting multiple beds together.
If you have only a couple of beds, then when they arrive, you can get started right away. Just connect your hose to the system, and you are done! However, if you have a more elaborate setup, I recommend planning out exactly what you need before you order. I will need to plan mine out again since I added a couple of beds. Just grab some paper and draw!
Also, decide how often you want to water. I had mine set for twice a day last summer and it seemed to work out great. I also decided to do different zones, so I used more than one Rainpoint WiFi Water timer. Before I order more parts I need to make some tweaks to my original plan. Then I will get them ordered and connect everything else. I can’t wait!
Shop my Garden in Minutes link and use code LITTLETECHGIRL to save an additional 7% off your grid system.
So, if you are looking to have a thriving garden without the worry of whether or not you are watering enough, the Garden in Minutes grid raised bed watering systems offer a convenient, efficient, and effective way to water your raised garden beds. By providing consistent hydration and minimizing water waste, these systems can help you achieve a thriving garden with minimal effort. If you’re looking for a smarter way to water, consider investing in a Garden in Minutes system and see the difference it can make.
Stay tuned for more on these. I plan to do a couple of videos when I get more of my beds hooked up.
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