How Portable Irrigation Systems Boost Fresh Department Efficiency

Floral and produce departments are the heartbeat of any fresh-focused store—drawing attention, driving impulse purchases, and elevating the overall shopping experience. But behind the beauty and abundance lies a daily challenge: keeping plants and displays hydrated, safe, and labor-efficient. Thankfully, portable plant care stations and watering machines are designed to meet that challenge head-on, delivering measurable impact across both floral and produce departments.

Carlson AirFlo’s Watering Machines, and Portable Plant Care Stations, are designed to take the strain out of daily hydration tasks. No more spills, no more tangled hoses, and no more wrist strain from endless hand watering.

Hydration Meets Efficiency

Floral teams manage a dynamic mix of hanging baskets, seasonal displays, and delicate arrangements, all of which require consistent watering and careful handling. Traditional hand watering methods are not only time-consuming, but they also increase the risk of spills, slips, and repetitive strain injuries.

Portable Watering Machine and Portable Plant Care Stations offer a better way. Powered by free gravitational energy from any sink, these portable irrigation units require no motors, batteries, or electricity—making them low-maintenance and highly reliable. According to industry studies, switching to a portable Watering Machine or Portable Plant Care Station system can reduce labor by up to 66%, with a return on investment in just 3–4 months.

Carlson AirFlo offers a range of Watering Machine and Portable Plant Care Stations options to suit every fresh department. This includes everything from compact floral corners to high-volume produce sections. Our lineup is designed to match your department’s footprint and workflow, no matter your size. The 11-gallon and 14-gallon Watering Machine models are ideal for smaller spaces, offering lightweight maneuverability without sacrificing performance. For departments with greater hydration needs, the 25-gallon unit delivers maximum capacity and fewer refills, making it a go-to for expansive displays or outdoor setups. The Portable Plant Care Stations, available in both 11 and 14-gallon sizes, elevate functionality even further with a durable utility cart and integrated work tray. These options are perfect for storing tools, prepping arrangements, or managing cleanup on the go.

Pictured: 14 Gallon Portable Plant Care Station

Each Watering Machine and Portable Plant Care Station is thoughtfully equipped to simplify daily hydration tasks and support fresh department teams with practical, safety-focused features. Every unit includes a 24″ One Touch Wand with a 5″ Flex No-Drip Tip, a 12′ Super Flex Hose, and a multi-pocket nylon trash bag for added convenience. The ExtendoFlex No-Drip-Tip adjusts from a gentle trickle to a powerful 6 gallons per minute. No drips or spills means less opportunity for workplace mishaps. Additionally, the optional full cone spray tips allow teams to hydrate seasonal flats or rinse down display surfaces with ease. Whether you’re misting orchids or rinsing romaine, these machines are built to reduce labor, improve safety, and streamline operations.

Floral Departments: Vibrant, Efficient, and Always Display-Ready

Floral displays are all about impact when it comes to color, texture, and freshness that stop shoppers in their tracks. But maintaining that visual appeal takes more than just good design; it requires consistent hydration and safe, efficient tools. These mobile systems are easy to maneuver through tight floral areas and built to support high-touch merchandising with minimal disruption.

Floral Department Benefits:

• Up to 66% labor savings over hand watering
• Improved safety with no-slip watering tools
• Reduced shrink through consistent hydration
• Ergonomic designs that minimize strain and injury
• Flexible sizing for small, medium, and large departments

While floral departments benefit from easy, precision watering and ergonomic design, the versatility of these systems doesn’t stop at petals and stems. The same features that streamline hydration in floral departments also deliver powerful results in produce. Let’s take a closer look at how Watering Machines support efficiency and sanitation in produce environments.

Produce Departments: Clean, Crisp, and Customer-Ready

Produce displays thrive on freshness and visual appeal, but they also require regular hydration and sanitation to meet food safety standards. Carlson AirFlo’s Watering Machines double as powerful tools for a wet section too, making them ideal for rinsing leafy greens, misting root vegetables, and washing down produce cases.

With optional spray tips and high-flow wands, teams can quickly clean surfaces and hydrate displays without relying on fixed plumbing or electrical setups. These mobile systems are easy to maneuver and built to handle the demands of high-traffic produce areas.

Produce Department Benefits:

• Fast, effective rinsing of produce cases and displays
• Mobile hydration for seasonal or outdoor setups
• No electrical components and safe for wet environments
• Reduces labor and improves sanitation
• Supports food safety compliance with consistent cleaning

Proven Labor Savings and ROI

In addition to reducing labor by up to 66%, portable Watering Machines help fresh departments strike the right balance between efficiency and quality. By streamlining daily watering routines, these systems free up valuable labor hours that can be redirected toward merchandising, customer service, and sales-driving tasks. For teams focused on cost control and performance, these portable solutions represent a smart investment that delivers measurable time savings and operational gains within a single season.

*Infographic Based on Supermarket General Study 1981

Smarter Tools for a Fresher Store

Whether you’re looking to reduce shrink, improve sanitation, or simply give your staff the tools they need to succeed, investing in smarter watering solutions is a step toward a fresher, more profitable future. Let the machines do the hard work so your team can focus on what they do best.

Interested in learning more about the Carlson AirFlo Watering Machines? Take a look