How do I set up Blumat watering?Updated an hour ago

You need two parts: a Gravity Supply Kit to get water from your reservoir to the plants, and a Container Kit or Bed Kit for each pot or bed. Set the reservoir above the plants, bring the soil to good moisture by hand, then install the sensors and make small adjustments.

What to order

• Gravity Supply Kit: fittings, shut-off valves and 8mm tubing from your reservoir. You supply your own reservoir or bucket.
• Container Kit: for pots up to 45 gallons. Comes with a pre-marked sensor and BluSoak drip tape, or a drip ring version.
• Bed Kit: for beds up to 4x8.
• Example: a 4x4 bed takes 1 Gravity Supply Kit and 1 Bed Kit.
• A Blumat Digital Moisture Meter is recommended for dialing it in.

Our Blumat kit builder helps you pick the right parts for your setup.

Setup tips

1. Raise the reservoir above the plants so gravity gives steady pressure.
2. Hand water the soil evenly to the moisture you want before installing.
3. Soak the sensors and push them in with good soil contact.
4. Make very small adjustments, then give the soil time to respond before adjusting again. Small turns cause big swings.
5. Check for air bubbles in the lines.

Moisture targets

With a Blumat Digital Moisture Meter, lower numbers mean wetter soil and higher numbers mean drier soil.

• Containers and beds: 40 to 80 mbar is the target range. 30 to 120 mbar is the outer limit.
• EarthBox and Tray2Grow: these usually run wetter, around 25 to 35 mbar.

Good to know

• Keep the reservoir plain water. Top dress and water in amendments from the top.
• Blumats water based on how dry the soil actually is, so they work with the living soil wet and dry cycle.
• With a small plant in a big pot, keep the sensor close to the root ball until the roots fill the container.

Need help sizing a system? Send us your container sizes through the contact page or the chat button.