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Pool heating with Solar Ripp – Build your own solar heating for the pool
Pool heating, solar absorber, Ripp pipe system and the efficient use of solar energy – in this article I document the complete conversion of my old EPDM pool heating system into a modern Dolphi-Ripp solar heating system. After more than ten years of practical experience with EPDM mats, I will show you why the change was necessary, which system is convincing today and how the new solar-based pool heating is proving itself in everyday life. Step by step, I describe the planning, installation and initial results – including technical details, comparisons and practical tips for installing a solar absorber on the roof.
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Hardy palms for the garden – these 5 species can withstand frost down to -15 °C
Hardy palm trees for the garden in Germany? I have tried it – with success. In this article, I show you my best frost-resistant palm species for German gardens that can be planted out permanently or kept in containers. I present five tried-and-tested palm species, hardy down to -15 degrees, and explain what is important when planting, caring for and overwintering them. Anyone looking for exotic hardy palms for Central Europe will find practical tips, specific product recommendations and personal experiences from my garden here.
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ECOVACS GOAT A1600 RTK: The innovative robotic lawnmower without boundary wire in the test
A robotic lawnmower without boundary wires can revolutionize lawn care – no more laying and repairing wires, just precise navigation with RTK technology. The ECOVACS GOAT A1600 RTK promises exactly that. After more than 10 years with the Gardena Sileno+, which was regularly slowed down by broken cables, we needed an alternative. In this test, I show how the GOAT A1600 RTK performs in practice: from installation and mapping to mowing quality and safety. Is the cordless robotic lawnmower really convincing? Here is the answer.
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Installing a lawn sprinkler: Step-by-step instructions for watering your garden
Installing lawn sprinklers and setting up efficient lawn irrigation – that’s exactly what this article is about. I show how I planned my garden irrigation system, laid the PE pipes and equipped the system with automatic irrigation. I explain step by step how to excavate the trenches, connect the sprinklers with Hunter Swing-Joints and test for leaks. In the end, the irrigation runs reliably and saves time when watering.
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Laying the water pipe in the garden: tips for connecting the water supply to the garden irrigation system
Laying a water pipe in the garden is a crucial step for efficient garden irrigation and reliable lawn watering. In this project, the pipeline had to be routed under an existing cobblestone path. The paving stones were removed, a trench dug and the pipes laid together with empty conduits for control and power cables. In addition to the right choice of material, frost resistance also plays an important role. The entire process – from planning and leak testing to restoring the sidewalk – is described in detail in this article.
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Installing lawn irrigation: Valve box, Hunter solenoid valves and Rain Bird water distribution in detail
Efficient lawn irrigation starts with a well-planned valve box, which forms the heart of the entire garden irrigation system. In this article, I will show you how I set up my valve box, selected the right components and optimized the water distribution. This involves installing the manifold, connecting the Hunter solenoid valves and laying the pipes safely. I also explain why I rely on a modular design so that the system can be flexibly expanded at any time. All the details on material selection, pressure resistance and optimum connection technology can be found here.
