If you find it difficult to get around the garden to do the watering, or if you have a large garden, an automated watering system might be the solution. These systems can be costly but there may be some payback if you currently have to pay someone to water your garden or if you have plants that were expensive to buy and need regular watering.
Watering systems comprise of an outside tap, a manifold, a timer and tubing with drippers and sprayers. A manifold is a plastic wall mounted device which allows you to run more than one hose or line of drippers from one tap. Bear in mind that watering systems are time consuming and fiddly to set up, so look for products from manufacturers who supply detailed instruction books and provide a telephone helpline.
Setting the timer is a fiddly job that can involve bending down to a low tap or taking the timer
off of the tap completely. Some new systems have timers with programming modules that pull off for easy adjustment in your home or on a comfortable seat.
You will need to reposition the tubing as your plants grow. Taking the tubing apart to reposition the sprinklers and drippers can require some strength and manual dexterity.