S01E10.1 Hand Watering
Getting to Know Your Grow
Hand watering is one of the simplest ways to feed your plants and a great place for new growers to start. Doing the job yourself gives you time to get to know your plants and understand how they respond to feeding before moving on to automation.
Ian recommends aiming for at least 20% run-off when watering to help avoid salt build-up in the growing media.
How It Works
A hand watering system takes the basic process one step further. Plants are still watered manually, but trays beneath the pots collect the run-off and pipework carries it to waste, preventing plants from sitting in nutrient solution with elevated EC or pH.
Systems such as the IWS AutoDrain automate the removal of this run-off while leaving you in control of the actual feeding.
Advantages
Get to Know Your Plants
Because you’re feeding the plants yourself, you spend more time with them and develop a better understanding of how they respond.
Removes Run-Off
Excess nutrient solution is carried away rather than being left in the tray around the pot.
Beginner Friendly
It’s a straightforward introduction to feeding without immediately moving to an automated irrigation system.
Things To Consider
More Hands-On
You’ll need to spend more time in the grow room to feed your plants manually.
Harder to Scale
Hand watering becomes less practical as the number of plants increases or if you have limited time available.
Keep Feeding Simple
Ian recommends using a pre-fertilised soil media and keeping your nutrient routine simple when starting out.
Featured Products
IWS Autodrain Standard
IWS Autodrain Pro
Ian’s Verdict
Hand watering is ideal for beginner growers. It keeps you involved in the grow and helps you learn how your plants respond before progressing to a more automated system.
