A well-planned irrigation system is essential for efficiently and sustainably watering vegetable gardens. This is especially important for hobby gardeners and self-sufficient growers. But what are the costs for installation and operation? Here’s an overview.
Initial Costs for Garden Irrigation
The choice of irrigation system significantly impacts the cost. Below is a comparison of common systems:
For a standard garden bed (1.2 m x 4.0 m = 4.8 m²), the initial investment ranges from €111.70 to €239.80.
Important: Small Ollas require daily refilling, whereas automated systems need less manual maintenance.
Ongoing Costs
- Maintenance & Lifespan:
- Durable systems last around 3 years, leading to annual costs of €37.00 to €80.00.
- Water Consumption:
- Approx. 25 liters per m² per week.
- For a 4.8 m² garden bed, this equals an annual consumption of 2,880 liters.
- With a water price of €0.40 per 100 liters, the annual cost is around €11.75.
- Tip: Using rainwater tanks can help reduce water costs.
Choosing the right irrigation system depends on individual priorities:
- Maximum sustainability & low maintenance: Tontau or large Ollas
- Automated irrigation with flexible control: Drip systems
