Watering timer: water your garden automatically, even when you're away

A long weekend, a week with family during Eid or the summer holidays… and when you get back, the pots are bone dry and the vegetable patch has suffered. That is exactly what a watering timer (or water computer) prevents. Screwed straight onto the tap, it turns the water on and off for you, at the times you choose. In this guide we compare the options available in Morocco — from a simple Gardena watering timer to a programmer with several cycles a day — so you can set up automatic watering from your tap with no building work and no electrician.

Why install a watering timer in Morocco?

With hot, dry summers across much of the country, from Marrakech to Oujda, a missed watering in the middle of July can't always be made up: young plants or pots in full sun can suffer in a single day. A watering programmer solves three problems at once:

• Being away: the garden gets watered even when nobody is home, including at a holiday home.
• Forgetting: no more sprinkler running all morning because the tap was left on.
• The right time: watering can start early in the morning, when evaporation is lowest, without you having to get up.

It is also a real water-saving tool: a fixed, regular duration avoids over-long watering done “by eye”. To go further, read our guide to saving water in the garden during drought.

Timer or programmer: what's the difference?

Both screw onto the tap, but they don't do the same job.

The watering timer: it shuts the water off

You turn a dial to choose a duration, open the tap, and the water stops by itself when the time is up. The Gardena mechanical watering timer works without batteries or electricity, with a duration adjustable from 5 minutes to 2 hours. It's perfect if you tend to forget, but it does not start watering on its own: someone has to be there to open the tap.

The programmer: it starts and stops the water

A programmer opens the valve at the frequency or on the days you set, then closes it again. Once set, it works without you all season long: it's the only one of the two that lets you water automatically while you're away. It runs on a battery, so always check the remaining power before leaving.

Comparison: Gardena watering timers at Brico MIM

Mechanical timer: the simple fix for forgetfulness

If you're at home and water the garden yourself, the Gardena timer is often all you need: set the duration, open the tap and get on with your day. Its continuous-flow function lets water through without removing the device, handy for filling a watering can.

Easy Plus: automatic watering without a screen

The Easy Plus watering programmer is set with two dials: duration (up to 120 minutes) and repeat interval (every 8, 12, 24 or 48 hours). Its delayed start of 1 to 23 hours is very useful: fit it in the afternoon and it waits for the cool of the morning to run the first cycle. Safe Stop technology prevents a cycle from starting if the battery no longer has enough power to close the valve. Gardena states it is compatible with drip irrigation, sprinklers and misting kits. It's an ideal first programmer, especially for a holiday home.

Select: several waterings a day, on the days you choose

The Select watering programmer allows up to three cycles a day, each from 1 minute to 7 h 59, on the days you tick. Ideal for pots and window boxes that dry out fast in summer: one run in the morning, another in the late afternoon. Its removable control panel can be programmed indoors, and a socket lets you connect a soil moisture sensor or rain sensor to skip unnecessary watering. You'll need a 9 V alkaline battery, not included.

Fitting a programmer on your tap in 5 steps

1. Check the tap thread: Gardena programmers accept G 3/4″ (26.5 mm) and G 1″ (33.3 mm). For an unthreaded tap, Brico MIM offers the 26.5 mm (G 3/4″) tap connector and the 33.3 mm (G 1″) tap connector. If in doubt, send us a photo of your tap on WhatsApp.
2. Screw the device on by hand, without tools, so you don't damage the thread.
3. Connect the hose to the outlet with a quick connector that matches its diameter, for example the 19 mm (3/4″) quick connector.
4. Insert the battery and set the duration and frequency (or days and cycles on the Select).
5. Open the tap and test: from now on the programmer handles opening and closing. Run a manual watering to check that no connection leaks.

As for pressure, make sure your supply is within the range stated by the manufacturer (from 0.5 or 0.8 bar depending on the model). If your water comes from a ground-level tank with no pump, the pressure may be too low: a booster pump may then be needed, see our pumps range.

Setting up automatic watering properly

• Water early in the morning or late in the day, never in full sun: much of the water evaporates during the hottest hours.
• Match the duration to the system: drip irrigation delivers little water at a time and needs longer cycles; a sprinkler covers an area quickly but loses more water to wind and evaporation.
• Split watering during heatwaves for pots: two short runs are better than one long one that runs off.
• Water less often but more deeply for lawns and trees: roots grow down in search of moisture and cope better with heat.
• Adjust with the seasons: reduce in autumn, switch off when winter rain is enough.
• Check a few days after setting it by pushing a finger into the soil: dry deep down, increase; waterlogged, reduce.

A programmer works best with a drip system: the balcony drip kit for up to 15 plants (419 DH) or the terrace kit for up to 30 plants for pots, and our guide to drip irrigation for vegetable gardens and fruit trees for larger areas. For a lawn, see which sprinkler to choose for your lawn.

Before you leave: the holiday checklist

• New or well-charged battery: Safe Stop prevents the valve staying open, but if power runs short, watering won't start at all.
• A full-scale test a few days before leaving, to check duration, timing and that nothing leaks.
• Tap left open: the most common mistake when heading off.
• Tight connections; an Aquastop connector stops the water when an accessory is disconnected.
• Mulch around the base of plants to keep moisture in for longer.
• No tap near your pots? The AquaBloom solar watering kit draws from a container and waters up to 20 plants, with no tap or power socket.
• A trusted neighbour who can drop by if something goes wrong is still the best insurance.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a watering timer and a watering programmer?

A timer shuts the water off after the set duration, but you have to open the tap yourself. A programmer turns the water on and off automatically at a set frequency or on chosen days: that's what you need to water while you're away.

How much does a watering timer cost in Morocco?

At Brico MIM, the Gardena mechanical timer is 359 DH, the Easy Plus programmer 529 DH and the Select programmer 699 DH.

Can I use a programmer with drip irrigation?

Yes. Gardena states that the Easy Plus is compatible with drip systems, sprinklers and misting kits. It's actually the most water-efficient combination.

Does a programmer work with low water pressure?

Each model has a minimum pressure (0.5 bar for the timer and the Select, 0.8 bar for the Easy Plus). With a tank and no pump, pressure may be too low: ask us for advice before buying.

Do you deliver all over Morocco?

Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.