SPRINKLERS

Even with the weather that we have in the UK, you will still need to water your lawn in the summer to ensure that it stays healthy. Grass is very resilient and will grow back after some neglect, but it is best to not get to that stage. When watering, your best bet is to invest in a sprinkler and you will have a few different types to choose from. Here we cover the main types you would opt for with a residential lawn, but you will get other options for commercial uses.

You do have the option to water by hand, with either a watering can or hosepipe, but that is going to take quite some time unless your lawn is small.

When looking for a sprinkler, we are normally looking for one that distributes the water evenly across your lawn.

Rotary - 6/10

These are the base level sprinkler and you will likely be able to pick one up from £5. These rotate when watering to distribute the water on your lawn in a circular pattern and will provide varying success depending on the quality. 

The base level options tend to be pretty poor and just spray water in a ring shape rather than filling the area of the circle. So if you are going for a rotary, be sure to spend a little more and try to find one that will give a good spread of water. 

For a branded option, try the Hozelock round sprinkler.

Oscillating - 8/10

An oscillating sprinkler will normally be a rectangle shaped sprinkler that swings back and forth to distribute the water. You can get these for £10 but could well go above £30 if you look at the big brands. 

Due to the shape of it, they tend to distribute the water in more of a square/rectangular pattern, so are a good fit for most lawns. They also have power and elevation controls, which allow you to tilt and aim for smaller lawns. 

The budget versions of these do not normally have as much control in terms of water pressure and don’t give such a smooth oscillation, but the spread of water is pretty much the same as a high-end branded version. So with that, save your money and stick with the budget version if you go for an oscillating sprinkler. 

If you are looking for a branded option, the Hozelock oscillating sprinkler is normally a good bet that doesn't break the bank.

Soaker Hose Pipe - 5/10

Soaker hose pipes look like a standard hose pipe but they are made from a porous material that allows for the water to escape. This allows you to lay the hose on your lawn and water it. These tend to start at around £20, so they are more expensive than sprinklers. 

These are not a bad option if you have a small lawn and give you more precision compared to a sprinkler. However, with the cost of these, you may well opt to manually water your lawn if this is the case. 

If you are looking for a soaker hose, try the Hozelock soaker hose.

Verdict

Look at the shape of your lawn and budget when deciding this, but as long as they get the water evenly onto your lawn, you can’t go far wrong.