No more dried-out dreams:
How smart garden irrigation saves your garden paradise (and saves money in the process)
Many garden owners know the drama
Just imagine: You return from a well-deserved two-week vacation, refreshed and full of anticipation for your green retreat. What greets you hurts. Yellow lawns, drooping flower heads, dried out flower beds. Months of work, invested time and money are gone.
This scene is repeated every summer in many German gardens. The bitter part. It is usually easy to avoid.
- Oliver Range
- 19. September 2025
Why garden irrigation differs greatly from region to region
Differences in German water prices
Germany has very different water prices. In a city comparison from 2016, a two-person household in Heide paid around 138 euros per year, in Essen 401 euros. This clearly shows the range. Current examples often range from around 1.6 to 3.4 euros per cubic meter for the price of drinking water alone, depending on the municipality. You can feel this directly in your wallet when watering your garden.
Your garden as a thirsty giant
A well-kept lawn of 400 square meters requires roughly 80,000 to 120,000 liters of water between April and September. Depending on local prices, this equates to around 300 to 500 euros per season. Many households waste 30 to 50 percent, mainly through
Watering at the wrong time of day with high evaporation
Watering despite already moist soil
Neglect of dry zones
Keep running in the rain
The solution. When your garden thinks for itself
Modern smart systems are more than just technology. They are your personal garden butler, attentive and reliable. Studies and manufacturer data typically show 20 to 50 percent less water consumption thanks to weather-based control, sensor technology and precise zone programs.
Transparency note
Calculation based on 10 to 15 liters per square meter and week over around 20 weeks. Costs depend on drinking water price and wastewater charges. Garden water meter additionally reduces costs.
The four levers of smart irrigation
Soil moisture sensors detect whether watering is really necessary
Weather data takes forecasts into account and postpones programs in the event of rain
Zone control supplies each area as required
Correct timing in the early morning or evening reduces evaporation
Rain Bird ESP TM2 and Hunter Hydrawise at a glance
Rain Bird ESP TM2. The reliable everyday helper
Clear display, simple operation, models for 4, 6, 8 or 12 stations. The Contractor defaultfunction savesyour programming. Once properly set, the system runs reliably, even if you are away for a longer period of time.
Hunter Hydrawise. Smart control with reserves
Hydrawise is a cloud-based platform that manages 4 to 54 stations, depending on the controller. Local weather data, optional flow meter and notifications help to save water and time. This is ideal for complex systems, remote access and fine optimization.
Costs honestly considered and correctly classified
The investment
Underground systems with installation typically cost around 8 to 15 euros per square meter, in some cases up to 20 euros. For 400 square meters, this corresponds to around 3,200 to 8,000 euros including planning and installation.
If you plan and lay your own flooring, you can make significant savings. Sample calculations for materials show a rough order of magnitude of around 1,000 to 2,000 euros for 300 to 500 square meters, depending on the equipment.
When does it pay off
Rule of thumb. From 2.50 euros per cubic meter and 30 to 50 percent savings, the payback period is around 3 to 5 years. At low prices, the focus is on convenience, time savings and plant health.
Decision support
Good reasons for smart irrigation
- Water price above 2.50 euros per cubic meter
- Garden over 300 square meters
- Different plant zones with different requirements
- Professional travel or little time
- Desire for efficient use of resources
When manual is sufficient
- Garden under 150 square meters
- Very low water prices below 2 euros per cubic meter
- Simple planting
- Watering as a consciously cultivated hobby
Additional savings tips
- Check municipal subsidies for rainwater harvesting and cisterns
- Claim craftsmen’s services for tax purposes up to 1,200 euros per year
- Use garden water meters to avoid wastewater charges for irrigation
Durability. High-quality systems often last 15 to 20 years. With an investment of 4,000 euros, that’s around 200 to 267 euros per year for reliable maintenance, less effort and more peace of mind.
Five steps to your system
- Check water price including waste water
- Record garden and define zones
- Evaluate time requirement in hours per week
- Planning the future and considering expansions
- Choose implementation Do it yourself or specialist company
Smart irrigation is more than just technology. It stands for quality of life, healthy plants, time savings and a conscious use of water. In regions with high water prices, it makes economic sense. You buy comfort and safety at low prices.
The real question is not whether smart irrigation is worthwhile, but when to tackle the issue.
Your garden is waiting. The technology is ready.
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More InformationPartner in implementation.
bevo as a strong address
To turn smart technology into a reliably running system, you need proper planning, suitable components and a reliable contact partner. This is exactly where bevo supports you as a member of the bluegardens community.
What bevo offers
Range for Rain Bird and Hunter including controls, valves, sprinklers, drip lines and accessories
Advice on the design of zones, nozzle pattern, pressure regulation and filtration
Support with material lists and quantities based on your garden plan
Network of specialist companies for installation, maintenance and seasonal winterization
Spare parts, fast delivery and technical support
Your advantage
One contact person from the idea to the running system
Selection of quality-tested products instead of piecemeal work
Avoid planning errors, save water, increase service life
- Does smart irrigation really pay off at my prices
If your water price is above around 2.50 euros per cubic meter and you save 30 to 50 percent, a payback period of around three to five years is realistic. At lower prices, convenience, time savings and plant health outweigh the costs. - Can I continue to use my existing pipes and sprinklers
Often yes. Many Rain Bird and Hunter controllers work with standard valves and solenoid coils. Existing circuits can usually be used as long as the pressure, flow and nozzle pattern are correct. A quick hydraulic check prevents problems later on. - DIY or specialist company
Small, clearly laid out systems can be implemented by an experienced DIYer. For larger areas, mixed planting or slopes, I recommend planning, nozzle selection, valve positions and pressure regulation by a specialist company. This reduces incorrect watering and reworking. - How reliable are sensors and weather data
Soil moisture sensors and weather-based control significantly reduce overwatering. Correct placement of the sensors and clean zone logic are crucial. Good systems take forecasts, rainfall and evaporation into account and automatically adjust the running times. - What do I need to do in winter?
Turn off the water, depressurize the pipes and valves and blow them out. De-energize the controller or set it to frost protection mode. This will prevent frost damage and extend the service life of the system. - Can I integrate rainwater and a cistern
Yes. With a filter, pump and optional changeover valve, you can use rainwater and switch to mains water when empty. This saves costs and reduces limescale build-up in fine drip lines. - How long are maintenance and service life
Check nozzles, clean filters, flush drip lines and check programming once a year. High-quality systems often reach 15 to 20 years. Running costs remain low if you keep an eye on wearing parts such as filter inserts and nozzles.
