4 Providers Helping UK Growers Automate Irrigation and Improve Efficiency

At a Glance

As growing seasons become more demanding, irrigation automation is helping UK growers save time, reduce water waste and maintain healthier crops with less manual effort. From smart solar-powered systems to traditional irrigation solutions, several providers now offer tools designed to improve watering consistency and operational efficiency. Here are 4 providers helping growers streamline irrigation management.

Why More UK Growers Are Turning to Automated Irrigation

Whether you manage an allotment, a greenhouse full of seasonal crops or a productive growing space at home, watering remains the most important part of maintaining healthy plants. However, keeping up with daily irrigation becomes time-consuming. 

This is especially true during warmer periods when plants require more attention. Consistency also becomes difficult to achieve when you are balancing growing tasks alongside work, family commitments or time away from your plot.

This is why many UK growers are now investing in irrigation automation. Modern watering systems reduce manual workload, improve watering consistency and make better use of available water supplies.

By automating routine irrigation, you spend less time managing water schedules and more time focusing on growing healthy, productive crops. If you are exploring ways to improve efficiency in your growing space, here are top 4 irrigation providers worth considering.

1. Harvst

Products and Services

If you are looking for a solution designed specifically for growers, Harvst offers a range of irrigation systems. These combine automation, water efficiency and ease of use. The company’s WaterMate range was developed to address common challenges associated with traditional watering methods. These help growers save both time and water while maintaining consistent irrigation in their growing spaces.

The range includes the WaterMate Pro and WaterMate Mini. These units are suitable for greenhouses, polytunnels, allotments, raised beds and gardens. The systems combine solar-powered operation, drip irrigation, smart monitoring and flexible watering controls. 

The standard system features a smart dual-zone water valve setup, allowing growers to manage two independent watering regimes, such as misting seed beds on one zone while running root-level drip lines on the other, from a single control unit. This makes it suitable for growers managing multiple growing areas from a single system.

The kits also use industry-standard irrigation fittings, helping simplify installation and future expansion. With support for water butts and tanks, the system offers a practical way to automate irrigation without relying on a mains water connection.

Efficiency Benefits

One of the key strengths of the WaterMate range is its ability to automate routine watering while reducing unnecessary water use. Drip irrigation and automated controls work together to maintain consistent watering schedules across different growing areas. 

Integrated environmental air temperature sensors track real-time conditions, intelligently triggering extra watering cycles when summer heat spikes or reducing distribution when conditions stay cool. This also supports more informed watering decisions throughout the season.

Ease of Use

The system is designed with simplicity in mind. WiFi connectivity allows you to monitor and manage irrigation schedules remotely, while the all-in-one kit design minimises setup complexity for off-grid plots. Growers can also expand their systems over time as growing requirements change.

Best For

Best for growers looking for a dedicated irrigation automation solution that combines solar power, multi-zone watering, smart monitoring and water-saving performance within a single system.

Customer Review

Here’s what a customer, Sab Knight, has to say about Harvst’s systems on Trustpilot:

“Great product that has made my greenhouse a lot easier to use. Much more powerful than all the other Solar irrigation systems that are out there. Having the wrong system can kill all the plants you have. This one is also connected to the internet, so you can see if it has watered, the temperature of the site, and it is intelligent to water more if the temperature hits certain points you can program in. Much more professional and cleaner to set up with a main water system around the greenhouse, so that then you can connect your dripper feeds, rather than having tiny hoses around, where if one fails, your whole system would not work. With this, you do not have this problem.

I must not forget to add, their support is fantastic, fast and local!”

2. Irrigatia

Products and Services

Irrigatia specialises in solar-powered automatic watering systems designed for gardens, allotments and greenhouses. Their product range focuses on systems that draw water from water butts and storage tanks. This makes the provider appealing to growers looking to reduce dependence on mains water supplies.

Efficiency Benefits

The company's weather-responsive solar approach automates irrigation by tying pump activity directly to sunlight levels. The system pumps more water when the sun is brightest, naturally matching your crops' increased transpiration rates during peak daylight hours. This helps growers maintain regular watering schedules while making efficient use of stored water resources.

Ease of Use

Many growers appreciate the simplicity of solar-powered operation. This is especially true in locations where access to electricity is limited. The systems are generally simple to install, although larger setups require additional planning.

Best For

Best for off-grid allotment holders who want a simple, budget-friendly "plug-and-play" solar pump hooked to a single water butt.

3. Easy Garden Irrigation

Products and Services

Easy Garden Irrigation is one of the UK’s largest online specialist distributor of elite commercial/trade irrigation brands, offering a wide range of irrigation products. These include drip irrigation systems, micro-irrigation equipment, sprinklers and watering accessories. Their extensive catalogue lets growers select components that suit their specific growing environments and watering needs.

Efficiency Benefits

The broad product selection lets growers build irrigation systems that fit the size and layout of their growing spaces. This flexibility supports more efficient watering practices when systems are set up correctly.

Ease of Use

The company provides installation guidance and technical support to help customers choose suitable equipment. As many solutions are assembled from individual components, growers need to spend more time planning their setup before installation.

Best For

Growers who prefer a customised irrigation setup built from a wide range of available components and accessories.

4. Easy Water Gardening

Products and Services

Easy Water Gardening is a family-run supplier offering irrigation equipment, automatic watering systems, ponds and garden accessories. Their range combines foundational automatic watering equipment with pond-maintenance accessories, making it a highly practical option for hobbyists looking to integrate water features into small-scale garden irrigation.

Efficiency Benefits

Automatic watering equipment reduces the time spent on manual irrigation while supporting more consistent watering schedules. This consistency is beneficial for maintaining healthy growing conditions throughout the season.

Ease of Use

They are known for providing customer support and practical guidance, making it easier for growers to select products fitting their needs. This is especially useful for those who are new to irrigation systems.

Best For

Gardeners and small growers looking for simple watering automation supported by accessible customer guidance and family-run advice spanning garden beds and backyard ponds.

To Sum Up

Efficient irrigation is about much more than reducing manual labour. It is about making better use of available water, creating consistent growing conditions and improving daily management in your growing space.

The right irrigation system helps you spend less time handling routine watering tasks. This supports healthier and more productive plants throughout the growing season.

Each provider featured here offers a different approach to irrigation automation. However, growers looking for a solution that combines solar-powered operation, smart monitoring, flexible multi-zone control, and practical water-saving features find the WaterMate range well-suited to modern growing needs.

By assessing your growing environment, available water sources and automation goals, you can identify the irrigation solution that delivers the greatest efficiency benefits for your setup.