Greenhouse Product News August 2025

Irrigating with technology

Boost greenhouse efficiency with advanced irrigation tech. Save labor, optimize water use and grow healthier plants with these smart solutions.

2 minute read

Well-designed irrigation systems can help increase efficiencies in greenhouses and nurseries with labor savings and optimizing water delivery for plant growth. Automation provides a systematic and reliable way of delivering water while pairing irrigation with the right controller, enhancing labor savings. Irrigation systems allow growers precise control over the amount of water each plant receives. This precision helps to optimize water usage, prevents water waste and ensures plants get optimal hydration for healthy growth.

Members of Griffin Greenhouse Supplies’ irrigation team and I discussed how irrigation is evolving with technology and what growers should be on the lookout for.

What new technology is coming for irrigation systems?

Modern systems use sensors and automation to customize watering schedules based on factors like soil moisture levels in the root zone or humidity inside the greenhouse.

“There are many controllers with features or sensors that were not available before, like the IAS controller that uses a cell signal instead of ethernet or Wi-Fi. This allows growers to communicate with valves in the back field with fewer initial install expenses,” said Mandi Maloney, Griffin’s irrigation product manager.

What should growers consider when installing or updating their irrigation systems?

Growers benefit from irrigation systems that maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, said the team. This helps create an optimal growing environment, as variations in soil moisture can lead to plant stress and negatively affect development. Consistent moisture contributes to uniform plant growth and flowering.

“Moisture management is a powerful cultural tool all growers need in their arsenal for maintaining a healthy root system and preventing nutritional issues,” said George Grant, GGSPro.

Automated irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler systems, are designed to minimize water and nutrient waste by delivering water directly to the root zone, which reduces evaporation and runoff. This is especially important in greenhouse cultivation, where resource management is essential for sustainability.

How do irrigation systems impact labor?

The new IAS Irrilink + Valve Control
includes soil moisture radio sensors.
Photos courtesy of Griffin.

Growers can save time and labor by employing irrigation systems.

“Any operation’s greatest asset is their employees,” said Maloney. “Well-designed and -maintained irrigation systems will complement your existing workforce by automating the rote tasks while allowing staff to focus on parts of your business that will grow the bottom line. As a bonus, irrigation automation allows key team members to take time off without affecting crop quality.”

Irrigation systems are indispensable tools for greenhouse growers who need to increase efficiency and productivity in their operation. By providing precision, consistency, resource efficiency and customizable solutions, these systems help create better growing conditions and result in healthier and plentiful blooms. Greenhouse cultivation is likely to benefit from even more sophisticated and efficient irrigation solutions as technology continues to advance.

Photos courtesy of Griffin.