Raised bed gardening has many benefits such as ease of maintenance, good drainage, and improved soil control. However, to unlock its potential, you need to invest in an effective irrigation system. Choose the best irrigation system for raised beds from the list below:
Here are the best irrigation system for raised beds you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Large Raised Beds (Drip Irrigation System): Yomile
- Best For Small Raised Beds (Drip Irrigation System): CARPATHEN
- Easy To Set Up (Drip Irrigation System): Garden In Minutes
- Timer Included (Drip Irrigation System): Raindrip
- Best For Using With Rain Barrel (Drip Irrigation System): JIYANG
- Kink-Resistant (Soaker Hoses): Hlinker
| 6 Best Irrigation System For Raised Beds | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Large Raised Beds | Yomile
| |
Best For Small Raised Beds | CARPATHEN
| |
Easy To Set Up | Garden In Minutes
| |
Timer Included | Raindrip
| |
Best For Using With Rain Barrel | JIYANG
| |
Kink-Resistant | Hlinker
| |
Best For Large Raised Beds: Yomile
- Long and flexible hose
- Simple-to-read and easy-to-follow installation instructions
- Great price
- Straightforward to connect
- Adjustable
- Not right information about the size
If you have large raised beds, it’s better to invest in this Yomile drip irrigation system. While other sets just have ¼ tube divided into only one branch and attached with only one kind of sprayer, this product has ¼ tube and ½ tube divided into 4 branch lines. In particular, the latter is packed with 4 kinds of sprayers for different performances. Plus, thanks to the adjustment of water output, it can provide a larger and more complicated raised bed which has many plant groups.
| Yomile Specifications | |
|---|---|
What’s Included | 200ft ¼ distribution tubing 40ft ½ irrigation hose Fountain nozzle*10 2 kinds of drip emitters sprayer*20 (10/each) Nozzles*20 Nozzle tees*20 Dripper tees*30 Single couplings*10 ½ inch - 4 inch barbed tee*6 Main line end closure*2 4/6 faucet connector*2 End closures*20 Teflon tape*1 |
Material | High quality ABS plastic |
Highlight Features | Automatic Irrigation Kit Micro sprinkler system Flexible and durable hose |
The Yomile Drip irrigation system set is flexible enough to provide large raised beds with water.
Best For Small Raised Beds: CARPATHEN
- Easy to use
- Clear instruction
- Well-made
- Reasonable price
- Very sturdy
- Not easy to install
If you have a small raised bed, there is no need to waste your money to invest in a big set like the product above. Even if it takes you more time and effort on your part unnecessarily to install. Instead, the CARPATHEN Drip irrigation system is a more suitable solution. This is considered as a complete starter kit because it is simple and effective enough to meet water requirements of small raised beds.
In spite of the simplicity, it has two 4-way splitters that allow you to install 8 emitters at a time easily. Although I just recommend this set for a small raised bed, this doesn’t mean that it is bad-quality. In fact, it is even better than others. For example, its irrigation bubbler stake is 7.48 inches - long enough to stay into the ground firmly and stably.
| CARPATHEN Specifications | |
|---|---|
What’s Included | 8 drip irrigation emitters vortex 35ft flexible and durable 5/16-inch irrigation tubing 35ft 1/4" drip irrigation tubing 2 pieces of 4 way tubing splitter 5 pieces of 1/4" tubing end plugs Water Connector A complete instructions guide hard copy 2 Grow your Own Vegetables & Fruits Guide |
Highlight Features | Automatic water Adjustable Sprinkler |
The simple design of the CARPATHEN Drip irrigation system suits small raised beds.
Easy To Set Up: Garden In Minutes
- Easy and quick to put together
- Durable
- Straightforward to adjust
- Well-made
- Pricey
Most irrigation systems have many accessories that require you to attach and mount piece to piece together. Whether this process is complicated or simple, it also takes a lot of your time and effort.
If you don’t want to experience this complicated installation process, it’s better to choose the Garden In Minutes Drip irrigation system. When shipping, it is packed with pre-assembled sections, so there is no need to mount each tiny piece, and emitter together. What you have to do is mount these sections together, then connect it to a garden hose. You can easily install this system by hand using no tools.
| Garden In Minutes Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Poly Tubing |
Highlight Features | Hassle-free installation Pre assembled garden drip irrigation system |
The Garden In Minutes Drip Irrigation System is a 2-in-1 model because you can use it as a garden sprinkler system and mister kit.
Timer Included: Raindrip
- Easy to set up
- Good directions
- Decent price
- Too thin and short stakes
Why should you choose an irrigation system with a timer?
This accessory allows you to set up when to water, and how long the machine operates. This feature can prevent under and over watering, leading to water wastage and environmental damage. I strongly recommend this system for busy people who forget to water their plants regularly.
The timer is extremely useful for raised beds with different plant types because it allows you to customize the watering schedule for different areas to meet specific water requirements.
Luckily, the Raindrip drip irrigation system with a timer can provide you with these benefits.
| Raindrip Specifications | |
|---|---|
What’s Included | Water timer 75 ft. of 1/4 in. supply tubing 3/4 in. FHT adapter 20 PC drippers Tubing hold-down clamps Barbed couplings Elbows Tees |
Material | Plastic |
Highlight Features | Customizable system |
The timer of the Raindrip Drip Irrigation System is functional and convenient for people to use.
Best For Using With Rain Barrel: JIYANG
- Versatible
- Easy to use and install
- Not expensive
- Short cord
If you already have rain barrels at home, let you take advantages of it to use the JIYANG Drip irrigation system. This product is designed to directly take water from containers. Asides from rain barrels, you can use this unit with buckets, for example. After setting everything, it will automatically water your plants at preset time with the exact amount of water your plants need.
| JIYANG Specifications | |
|---|---|
What’s Included | A solar controller A water level sensor A water filter 10m tubing 10 T-joint 10 drip-stake A ground stake 2 screws A manual |
Material | IP67 waterproof and sunlight resistance durable material |
Highlight Features | Solar powered automatic watering supported 10-15 pots 6 timing modes with anti-siphoning device |
The JIYANG Drip Irrigation System is a great solution for you to make use of your rain barrels.
Kink-Resistant: Hlinker
- Right price
- Super lightweight and maneuverable
- Connectable and flexible
- Easy to use and set out
- Durable
- Leaks
If your raised bed is large, you will need a long soaker hose. However, this length comes with a big disadvantage that is an easy-to-kink problem.
Luckily, the Hlinker soaker hose can solve this issue because this product is kink-resistant. It is effortless for you to roll up and store this flat-shape hose.
| Hlinker Specifications | |
|---|---|
What’s Included | A flat soaker hose |
Material | Vinyl |
Highlight Features | A clog-resistant fabric cover Linkable 100% environmentally-friendly |
The Hlinker Soaker Hoses are kink-resistant, so it's easy for you to roll up and store them when not in use.
How To Choose The Best Irrigation System For Raised Beds?
How Large Is Your Raised Bed?
Small raised beds
It’s hard to provide each plant in a small raised bed with an exact amount of water because of its limited space. A drip irrigation system can do it since this system features tubing with emitters on the ground alongside your plants. The emitters will drip the water into the soil at the root zone, so it can directly deliver the water to the root zone of individual plants with high precision. Each of them will receive the accurate amount of essential water without over and under watering.
In a small raised bed, your plants have limited space for growing, so you have to make best use of the available planting area for them. The drip irrigation system waters precisely and sufficiently to keep the soil surface relatively dry. This minimizes the growth of weeds which can complete your plants with water and nutrients.
In a small space, plants are planted close together, which creates favorable conditions for diseases to spread from plant to plant through a wet environment easily. Meanwhile, the drip irrigation system can keep the foliage dry to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.
Long raised beds
Soaker hoses work best for long raised beds because they can release the water evenly along the whole length to offer consistent and uniform moisture to the whole planting area.
This type of irrigation system matches the shape of long raised beds because it can follow the contours of these beds straightforwardly to provide the plant roots with the water along the whole length efficiently.
How Much Water Do Your Plants Require?
Raised beds are well-suited for mixed planting, so you can grow many types of plants with different water requirements.
Moderate water and high water
If plants in your raised bed have specific water requirements, use a drip irrigation system and install varying emitter or hose spacing in different zones. Depending on the specific water requirements of plant groups, the emitters will offer moderate water or high water.
Low water and moderate water
I strongly recommend the soaker hoses for plants which require low water and moderate water because they allow you to adjust the flow rate for each plant group by controlling the number of soaker hoses and the water pressure.
High water
As the name suggests, overhead sprinklers work best for plants requiring high water.
Do You Need An Automation Feature?
This function is very useful and convenient. After connecting the irrigation system to timers or apps on your smartphone, it can automatically operate, turn on and off as you set.
Which Brands Make The Best Irrigation System For Raised Beds?
Garden In Minutes
This brand specializes in designing and producing raised bed gardening products and easy-to-assemble garden systems. Some of their featured products include easy-to-install raised bed garden kits, grid systems, drip irrigation systems.
FAQs
What are the best ways to water raised beds?
Drip irrigation
Using a suitable drip irrigation system is one of the most effective ways to water your raised beds because it can provide the root zone with the water directly. This can minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Note:
Remember to use soaker hoses or drip lines because they can distribute the water along the base of your raised beds evenly.
A timer can help you set up the automotive watering schedule for consistent moisture.
Hand watering
I strongly recommend hand watering for small raised beds since this way can control where the water goes better. Of course, this way can’t lack essential watering tools such as a watering can and a hose with a nozzle. These things allow you to directly water at the base of your plants without wetting the foliage, causing diseases.
Mulch
Applying a layer of organic mulch such as wood chips, straw or compost to the raised bed surface can help your soil retain the moisture because it decreases evaporation and regulates the soil temperature. In particular, mulches can stop weeds from competing with your plants for water.
Rain barrels
If you are looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to provide your plants with consistent moisture, you can collect rainwater in barrels, then use it to water your raised beds.
Self-watering containers
Raised bed kits or containers with built-in self-watering systems come with a water reservoir at the base of the raised bed. This design allows your plants to draw up moisture when needed.
Soil moisture sensors
You should install soil moisture sensors in your raised beds to monitor their moisture level all the time. After connecting it to an irrigation system, the latter will provide your plants with water timely when the soil is dry.
Watering wand
This accessory of hoses helps you water your plants in precise positions. For example, you can extend the wand to reach the plant base without splashing and running off.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of drip irrigation?
Advantages
Drip irrigation is an effective watering way because it can water to the root zone directly while minimizing water wastage through evaporation and runoff compared to traditional irrigation ways like sprinklers.
This drip irrigation system delivers the water only to your plants without touching unwanted vegetation, so it can minimize the growth of weed.
This system offers the water at the base of the plants without wetting the foliage, so it can minimize the risk of fungal diseases. The latter spreads through splashing water.
The drip irrigation encourages the growth of a deep and healthy root system because the water is available in the root zone consistently.
If you install a timer to this system, it allows you to control watering exactly, which is ideal for tailoring the watering schedule to your plants' specific needs.
The drip irrigation system is flexible since it suits many types of garden and crop layout setups.
Many of them are automotive, so there is no need for manual labor. This means that even when you are not present, your plants can still receive a consistent water supply.
Disadvantages
Compared to traditional sprinkler systems and hand watering, this equipment has higher upfront costs because it includes the cost of timers, filters, emitters, and tubing.
This system is prone to clog, especially if the water source has organic matter and sediment, which requires you to maintain it regularly.
It's complex to set up the drip irrigation system compared to other ways. If you are a first-time user, you may need the support of expertise or professional assistance.
It requires ongoing maintenance for proper functioning. What do you have to do? Here are some tasks: replacing worn-out components, checking for leaks, and cleaning filters.
In case you buy an improperly designed model, it can suffer from uneven water distribution, causing over watering and under-watering in some certain areas.
Machinery, animals, or environmental factors such as freezing temperatures and UV exposure can damage the drip tubing and emitters of the system.
If your system is automated, it relies on electricity for pumps and timers. This is a big disadvantage in areas where there is not an unreliable power source.
If you are a beginner, it may take a lot of time and effort on your part to research and learn how to operate the drip irrigation system effectively.
How long should I leave my soaker hose on?
This depends on many factors:
Soil type
Sandy soil drains water quickly, so it's essential to run the soaker hose long. Meanwhile, clay soil can retain water better, so it's okay to leave the soaker hose on for a shorter time.
Plant water needs
Each plant has its own water requirements. If your plants need more water than others, you can leave the soaker hose on for longer.
Weather conditions
In summer, you may need to leave the soaker hose for longer than in winter because the latter requires less watering or none.
Output rate of soaker hose
If the output rate of the soaker hose is quick, you don't have to leave the soaker hose long and vice versa.
Depth of root zone
You should leave the soaker hose on until the water can reach the root zone of your plants.
Is irrigation system better than hand watering?
Each watering way has their own advantages and disadvantages:
Irrigation system
This system can provide your plants with a consistent and even distribution of water effectively and automotive in a large area. However, its initial cost is high and you have to maintain this irrigation system regularly. And it is not as inflexible as hand watering to adapt different plant needs like what hand watering can do. Finally, the installation is complicated, requiring professional assistance.
Hand watering
This watering way is precise enough to target specific plants and areas. Moreover, you can immediately control and adjust the water amount depending on weather conditions and plant needs on the day. Thanks to the precision, you can control the growth of weed. This way is more cost-effective than another method, but I just recommend it on small gardens.
It is not automotive, so you have to waste a lot of your time and effort to use it manually. Without having experience, you can face many potential problems of over watering. Hand watering is inefficient, so you don’t waste as much water as other ways. It depends on your presence. If you are not present or forget to water, your plants may suffer.
How often should I water my raised bed garden?
Whether you use the water from rain or irrigation, most raised bed gardens need around one inch of water per week. This can change depending on the soil moisture, so you should monitor it by sticking your finger into the soil. Water your raised bed garden if it is dry an inch or more.
Conclusion
Why should you transform your traditional watering way to an irrigation system for raised beds? The latter can provide you and your garden with many benefits:
Some of them have advanced automated setups that allow you to “set it and forget it”.
It can offer the right amount of water for each individual plant depending on specific needs.
This system can water precisely and effectively without wasting water.
Once you understand the importance of the best irrigation system for raised beds, let’s make a purchase now.
