Irrigation by hand. Benefits of using drip irrigation in your garden Other elements of the system

Drip irrigation is considered one of the most modern ways of moistening beds in greenhouses and open ground. How to make a drip irrigation system with your own hands is of interest to many greenhouse owners, because this method of watering plants is cost-effective and convenient. This is due to the fact that plants receive the necessary moisture with little or no human intervention.

Methods for installing a drip irrigation system and do-it-yourself manufacturing options are described in this article.

How to make a drip irrigation system with your own hands

It is possible to do such irrigation with your own hands, but it is much faster and more convenient to buy a finished structure and assemble it on the spot.

How to assemble the structure with your own hands will be described below, but first we will try to figure out what preparatory work needs to be done so that it functions without failures.

Territory preparation

Before you do this irrigation, you need to prepare the site. In our case, we consider the installation of irrigation in a greenhouse, so we will take as an example the construction of a closed ground (Figure 1).

Automatic irrigation involves the installation of a reservoir for storing water and distributing tapes among the beds. It is important that you need to mount the structure immediately on the finished beds, and it is not recommended to change their location in the future. Of course, you can increase or decrease the number and size of the beds, but in this case you will need to re-assemble.

Figure 1. Preparing the premises for the installation of an irrigation system

The tapes are laid out in the beds so that the droppers are near the main plants. Plugs are installed at the ends of the pipes to prevent water loss. They must be removable so that during the cleaning of the system the water can be quickly drained.

Tank installation

The water storage tank should be located at the beginning of the building. It must be placed on an elevation (about 2 meters above the ground) so that water enters the pipes under the action of gravity (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Installing a water storage tank

If there is not enough space for the tank in the room itself, it can also be installed outside the structure by laying pipes on the ground. But in this case, the water must be drained for the winter so that it does not damage the tank when it freezes.

Starter installation

In ready-made kits, all the necessary elements (except for the tank) are provided in the complex. On site, you only need to connect the hose to the tank, install the starter on the tank and program it to automatically turn on and off using the sensor.

The starter is connected to the tank by drilling a hole with a diameter of approximately 14 mm in the main pipe. It is this device that starts the water and stops it if necessary. If you are not buying a finished product, but only parts of it, choose your starter carefully. It must be powerful enough to provide water to all plants, therefore, when buying, be sure to take into account the number of beds and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room itself.

How to calculate drip irrigation for your site

In order for the soil moistening design to exactly match the size of your greenhouse, you need to accurately calculate the length of the tapes and their number.

To do this, you need to measure the length of the beds. For example, if you have 10 beds of 15 meters in length, you need to buy a little over 150 meters of tape. The margin is necessary in order to eliminate possible losses during installation. Plugs must be installed at the end of each tape, and fine filters near the water tank so that the hoses do not become clogged with debris, sand or plant residues.

How to make drip irrigation yourself

How to make drip irrigation in a greenhouse yourself without large financial costs, the tips below will tell you.

From bottles

For small buildings, homemade designs from plastic bottles are perfect.

To do watering yourself in the country or in the greenhouse using this method, you need to use the following step-by-step instructions (Figure 3):

1. A hose is laid out along the beds and holes are drilled in it. The hose can be laid out both on the surface of the earth and underground. The latter method is more acceptable for closed ground structures.
2. A plastic bottle with holes in the bottom is placed near each plant.
3. A medical dropper is inserted into the neck of each bottle, which is connected to a hose.

Figure 3. Installation of bottle irrigation

This design will ensure a constant supply of moisture directly to the roots of the plant. But for this it is necessary that it has a stable water pressure, the tank is installed on a hill, and the main pipe is supplied with a starter.

The video shows how you can make a similar design from plastic bottles.

From medical droppers

You can make such watering in the greenhouse yourself with the help of medical droppers. The principle remains the same as for the installation of a bottle structure (Figure 4).

A flexible hose is laid out along the entire length of the beds, which is connected to the main pipe and water storage tanks. Holes are drilled in the hose into which droppers with special valves are inserted through which water will flow to the plants.

Figure 4. Scheme of installation of irrigation from medical droppers

The main difference between such a system is that water does not flow to the roots, but to the surface of the soil, and the number of droppers can be any.

Automatic drip irrigation

Automation of the introduction of moisture greatly facilitates the care of plants, since the saturation of the soil with moisture is carried out practically without human intervention.

To mount a similar design, a controller operating on an autonomous battery is installed on the water tank. The tank, in turn, is connected to the water supply, and when it is empty, it is automatically filled. Automation also involves the installation of sensors that will start and turn off soil moisture in time.

How to make drip irrigation in a greenhouse

Assembling a spot irrigation system yourself is quite a feasible task. To do this, you need to buy a ready-made kit and simply mount it on the spot.

Note: At the moment, Dusya and AquaDusya are considered the most popular products. The latter is fully automated, while the former is considered simple and suitable even for small greenhouses.

To properly install, you need to follow some recommendations:

• Make an installation plan and schematically draw the location of hoses and drippers;
• Install a water tank above the ground to maintain a stable pressure in the pipes;
• Lay out pipes or flexible hoses for water supply on the beds;
• Install a starter and electronic sensors on the main pipe and water tank to automate watering.

At the final stage, the finished structure is necessarily tested to check whether the water is flowing normally and whether the hoses are leaking.

From the central water supply system

If your site has running water, it will not be difficult to make automatic watering in the greenhouse. To do this, just connect the water storage tank to the central water supply and install a special sensor that will fill the tank.

This design allows you to almost completely automate watering, but it should be remembered that for the winter all its elements are dried and removed.

How does a drip irrigation system for a greenhouse work?

The principle of operation of such structures in a greenhouse is quite simple. Water is constantly stored in a special tank and enters pipes or hoses under pressure.

Holes are made in all hoses into which droppers are inserted. Through them, water seeps in small drops and enters the soil. It is this method of providing moisture that is considered the most convenient, since all plants, without exception, receive the right amount of water. However, it is also impossible to leave the irrigation structure unattended: valves, hoses and droppers must be checked periodically in order to eliminate blockages or malfunctions in time.

In greenhouses, not only vegetables, fruits and herbs are often grown, but also indoor plants in pots, which also need high-quality watering (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Scheme and example of installation of an irrigation structure for closed beds and indoor plants

In this case, the system will be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it can be installed not only on the ground, but also on vertical racks. Secondly, the design allows you to bring tubes to each pot and plant.

How to choose drip irrigation for a greenhouse

The success of soil moistening largely depends on the quality of the system chosen. To buy a really good product, pay attention to several important parameters (Figure 6):

• Pump power and its functions: in quality products, it not only starts the system itself, but also creates the desired pressure level.
• The walls of the hoses must be strong so that during operation the water does not break through them.
• Sensors should be easy to manage: the ease of use will depend on this.

Figure 6. Do-it-yourself system assembly tools

As a rule, quality products are more expensive, but since their operation lasts for years, it is not worth saving on such an acquisition.

How to choose a drip tape for watering

A key role in the use of such irrigation is played by a tape - a flexible hose that is laid out in the beds and brought to the plants.

When buying, carefully inspect the tape. It must be strong enough, but at the same time flexible, so that creases form on it, due to which the entire system may fail in the future.

The assembly technology of such irrigation structures is shown in the video.

The summer heat becomes a test for both summer residents and open ground plants and greenhouses. You have to run around with a watering can or hose every evening and water the plants, but not all gardeners have this opportunity. You can find a way out of this situation by equipping an irrigation system from various improvised materials, because the factory design costs a lot. Drip irrigation will not only save time and health, but also save the amount of water consumed, each plant will receive as much moisture as necessary for a full life. With your own hands, a drip structure can even be assembled from medical droppers, using a barrel as a reservoir for heating and accumulating water. The video will show the drip system in action.

Advantages of drip irrigation

The Israelis were the first to use drip irrigation. How effective the idea turned out to be can be judged by the fact that today Israel is the leading exporter of agricultural products. Let's look at the main advantages of drip irrigation.

Advice. In a barrel of translucent plastic, algae can multiply, which greatly clog the irrigation system. The same applies to the transparent water hose. Choose opaque products.

Where is drip irrigation used?

The drip system is designed for watering plants planted in an ordinary way. These are not only agricultural crops, but also flowers, trees and grapes. It is very convenient to irrigate greenhouses and greenhouses in this way. Drip irrigation is not at all suitable for moistening lawns. It is impossible to water a large area with tubes. In this case sprinklers are used.

Efficiency and ease of use allows you to take care of even a large garden or berry garden, without spending a lot of money on watering and effort for its implementation. Proper application allows you to achieve impressive results, which is very difficult to achieve with ordinary spraying.

Advice. The effectiveness of drip irrigation is increased if the root circle is mulched with straw or other organic matter.

The device of the system of medical droppers

To assemble the simplest irrigation system, you will need the following materials: a barrel, a drip irrigation hose, tees, connections and plugs to it, droppers. The hose can be a plastic water pipe or any rubber one. The steps for installing the system are as follows:

• First lay out the water supply pipes along the beds. If you need to irrigate several beds, then they make wiring and use tees to connect the hoses into a single system.

Medical dropper can be used for drip irrigation of plants

• Make plugs at the ends of the water pipe.
• Opposite each plant, holes are made in the supply pipe. For this, an awl or a self-tapping screw is suitable.
• A dropper tube is inserted into the holes made. The amount of water supplied is regulated by a wheel. Each crop requires a different amount of water supply and irrigation frequency.
• Connect the water supply to the barrel through a coarse water filter - it will protect the system from clogging.
• If you notice that the amount of incoming water has decreased, you must disassemble all the components and rinse.

Advice. For the system to work correctly, it is necessary to ensure proper internal water pressure. This can be achieved by raising the barrel above ground level by two meters.

Underground drip irrigation

Underground irrigation differs from drip irrigation in the way that water is supplied to the roots of plants. Moisture enters through holes in pipes that are laid underground. Typically, polyethylene pipes with a diameter of two to four centimeters are used. Holes are made round or slit-like every 30 cm.

The depth and pitch of the pipes depends on the composition of the soil and the crop being grown. Consider a similar device using the example of a greenhouse bed:

• dig a trench to a depth of half a bayonet of a shovel (to the depth of the roots, but not higher);
• a strip of film is laid at the bottom, which will serve as a waterproof barrier so that water does not immediately go deep into;
• cuttings of branches or pebbles are laid on polyethylene, and a pipe made of low-pressure polyethylene is placed on top, it will not break in winter at low temperatures if water remains inside. A very important point: the water supply is arranged in the middle of the pipe through a tee so that the water is distributed evenly;
• plugs are made at the ends of the water pipe;

Organization of an underground drip irrigation system

• now proceed to drill holes every 15 cm of the pipe on both sides. A metal drill with a diameter of 2 mm is suitable;
• the end of the pipe is brought out and connected to the water intake;
• testing the system;
• so that the holes are not covered with earth, the pipe is wrapped with non-woven material, ideally with geotextiles, but old nylon tights or agrofibre will do. They do not grab tightly with electrical tape or ties;
• another layer of branches is laid on top of the structure and the earth is sprinkled;
• control moment. Turn on the water supply for a couple of minutes, dig out the soil in several places and check the degree of wetting. If the watering is uniform, you can start planting seedlings.

Advice. With watering, apply fertilizers that have a chelated form. They dissolve well in water, leaving no particles that can clog the drip system.

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles

From plastic bottles, you can build the simplest drip irrigation, which does not require any financial investments at all. Of course, this design will not replace a full-fledged drip irrigation system, but crops that are demanding on moisture, such as pepper, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant or tomato, are quite suitable. There are several types of such devices.

Watering trees and berries

Here are a couple more ways to simply water rows of raspberries and fruit trees.

All types of drip irrigation can be combined with each other. Their autonomy will allow you to achieve the best results when growing plants. Assembly will not take much time and effort. In any case, the effectiveness of a homemade irrigation system is undeniable and high, you can verify this by starting with the simplest device as an experiment.

DIY drip irrigation system: video

Drip irrigation: photo

There are several reasons why gardeners are unwilling or unable to purchase a ready-made irrigation system for vegetable gardens and greenhouses. In such cases, drip irrigation is made by hand from the funds that every summer resident has.

After all, on your site you can find enough items and details for this. The advantage will be minimal financial costs. In addition, a well-made drip irrigation system for the garden can be safely used for its intended purpose.

Benefits of using drip irrigation

Soil aeration. The soil is not waterlogged, which ensures good ventilation of the plant root system for the entire period of growth, which is not interrupted at the time of irrigation or after it. Soil oxygen helps the root system achieve the best possible functioning.

root system. Root development is much better than with other irrigation methods. The plant more intensively consumes liquid and absorbs nutrients. With this method of irrigation, the efficiency exceeds 95%, when surface irrigation gives only 5%, and sprinkler - about 65%.

Nutrition. Liquid fertilizers are absorbed directly by the root system. Nutrients are absorbed with maximum intensity, which gives the best effect. This method of plant nutrition is most effective in dry climates.

Plant protection. The leaves remain dry, resulting in a significant reduction in the likelihood of diseases, since the drugs are not washed off the leaves.

Soil erosion prevention. This method of irrigation makes it possible to irrigate slopes or topographically difficult areas. There is no need to build complex structures or move the soil.

Significant water savings. Compared to other irrigation methods, drip irrigation saves water in the range of 20-80%. Only the root system is moistened. Reduced water evaporation losses. Liquid from peripheral drains is not spent.

early maturation. With this irrigation, the soil temperature is higher than with other options, and this stimulates crops to harvest earlier.

Energy and labor costs. The power costs for irrigation are reduced. Saves energy. The drip system is not affected by the pressure drop in the pipeline.

Agrotechnology. Drip irrigation allows you to treat the soil, spray plants and harvest at any convenient time, regardless of irrigation, because the areas between the beds are not moistened throughout the season.

Soils. Drip irrigation allows you to grow plants on soils with a moderate salt content, since salted water can be used.

Did you know? Auto-irrigation has grown in popularity among Australians due to its ability to conserve water. For the inhabitants of this mainland, there are strict restrictions on the use of this natural resource. Such irrigation systems are installed in 3/4 of the dachas and gardens of Australians.

How to make a simple irrigation system

Drip irrigation is not an innovative technology and was invented a long time ago in a country with an arid climate - in Israel. Since then, it has been actively used in the agricultural industry around the world.

But in a small area it does not make sense to use expensive irrigation systems. Therefore, drip irrigation can be done with your own hands from improvised materials.

Making drip irrigation from bottles

The easiest way to build a homemade drip irrigation is to stock up on unnecessary plastic bottles. This system is perfect for small areas.

One container is designed for a maximum of two bushes, which makes it possible to develop an individual irrigation regime for each plant.

For watering crops that consume more liquid, bottles with an increased number of holes are attached. So the moisture will be sufficient. A two-liter container is enough for up to four days of irrigation.

If you have to leave for a longer period, then you can put bigger bottles, for example, 5-6 liters.

A design for bottle irrigation of garden plants can be built in three ways.

№1. Dig a container between rows or bushes, having previously made holes in it with a needle. Do not pierce large holes. Moisture should not flow out quickly.

Important! Make punctures as low as possible so that there is no liquid left in the bottle.

Leave the neck of the container above the soil by 5-7 centimeters, so it will be more convenient to fill it. To prevent the liquid from evaporating, screw the bottle with a lid with a hole previously made in it.

If you simply close the neck with a cap, a low pressure is formed inside the bottle, which crushes it. Depending on the type of soil, the number of holes made also varies.

Three will be enough for sandy. For clay it is better to do five.

№2. Water containers are suspended above the plants. Place pegs along the edges of the bed and stretch a wire or a strong rope between them. Hang bottles without a bottom on it.

Moisture in this case will evaporate faster, but heated water will not so injure the roots of plants that love heat.

Make a hole in the neck of such a diameter that the liquid does not pour out too quickly. To direct water directly to the root system, you need to insert a rod from the handle into the lid. So the water will be better absorbed.

Plug the free end of the rod with a toothpick and make a hole higher, then the water will not flow out too quickly. Lubricate the junction of the rod and the cover with sealant so that excess liquid does not get into the bed.

№3. In this method, bottles are also used as materials for drip irrigation, but with a small addition. The bottom of the bottle must be cut off and a special ceramic cone put on the neck.

They stick the container into the ground in the root circle of the plant. The internal structure of the cone serves as a kind of indicator that determines the level of soil moisture. As soon as it begins to dry out, moisture is again supplied to the root system.

How to create an irrigation system from medical droppers

Another simple way to feed plants is to collect drip irrigation with your own hands. from medical droppers. The main thing is to have all the necessary materials and tools at hand.

From droppers, you can make an effective irrigation system, which is very affordable in terms of material resources. To create such a design, it is enough to strictly adhere to the plan and follow all the rules.

First of all, cut the system into segments equal to the length of the beds, and make holes in them. The distance between them should be at least half a meter.

Then hang the tubes over the beds. This can be done with various fasteners for parts. Plug the ends of the pipes. The wheel allows you to adjust the water pressure.

A do-it-yourself dripper for drip irrigation is a very convenient system. With its help, you can quickly water the beds, without making much effort.

Also, this system is suitable for feeding plants with liquid fertilizers. Nutrient fluid enters directly under the root of the culture.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out the need to dismantle the equipment when the temperature drops. Plastic can become unusable in winter.

How to make underground drip irrigation

The name of this method speaks for itself. Its essence lies in the fact that moisture does not come to the roots of plants from the outside, but directly underground.

This result is achieved thanks to pre-installed special structures for underground irrigation. Next, we will tell you how to organize drip underground irrigation with your own hands.

Required Tools

To create an apparatus for underground irrigation in a garden plot, you will need the following:

• Hoses and pipes of suitable diameter - 0.5 cm.
• Drainage layer consisting of pebbles, crushed stone, slag and cuttings of branches.
• Shovel.
• Roll of polyethylene.
• Filter element.
• Water access point.

Manufacturing and installation process

Before you equip drip irrigation at home, decide on the method of water supply. If there is no water supply to the garden, you should consider an option with a separate container specifically for irrigation.

It is possible to accumulate rainwater from the roof, it remains only to think over a system for draining, supplying and collecting liquid into a separate container. The barrel of water should be higher than the beds.

Nobody canceled the physical laws, and water under pressure will come from the barrel. You can adjust the height of the tank to increase or decrease the water pressure.

The next step is laying the system itself. Dig a hole or trench, cover it with polyethylene and pour a drainage layer. Install the tubes (the holes in them should already be made) with the filter. Top with a drainage layer again and then cover with earth.

Did you know? In the US, a sub-irrigation system is one of the top desirable improvements for the garden.

If you don't feel like working with your hands

Literally recently, only experienced gardeners with “hands from where needed” could build drip irrigation systems. After all, it is not so easy to calculate everything, pick up hoses and fasteners, carefully make holes. Today, in specialized stores, you can choose any model of drip irrigation system that you want.

Choosing a drip irrigation system

Manufacturers of drip irrigation systems can design and manufacture various structural details. As they say, everything is in their hands. Yes, and they can be called pretentiously and differently, just to attract customers.

But a standard drip irrigation system consists of the following elements: a main hose through which water from the primary source goes to the supply hose, from which droppers depart.

Droppers can be both small thin tubes and larger hoses, at the ends of which there are screwed irrigation dispensers. The deeper they are twisted, the less water drips.

There are also various adapters in the kit, which are used for joining individual structural elements. There are also plugs for unnecessary hose holes so that water does not flow out from where it is not needed.

It is better to choose a system with a built-in filter that prevents drippers from clogging. The pegs that fix the hose will also be a plus, since, depending on the pressure of the water, the hose can change its position in space.

You can additionally order a timer - a very convenient thing. With it, you can endow the drip irrigation system with intelligence. You can set the start and end of irrigation, as well as the interval between watering. This feature is very convenient when you have to leave your garden for a long time.

Installation of the system in a greenhouse or vegetable garden

Every business that concerns the construction of any structure for a summer residence or garden should begin with planning. As they say, calculation is the key to common sense and successful design.

Therefore, the organization of drip irrigation should begin with the scheme of the suburban area. The action plan is the following:

How to automate the process: do-it-yourself "smart drip irrigation"

The drip irrigation system is automated according to the usual simple system, which, without the daily participation of the owner, at a certain time will turn on the pump, starting the irrigation system.

All gardeners know how important watering the garden is. However, watering the garden is a rather laborious process, for this reason, gardeners and summer residents are now interested in how to do drip irrigation.

After all, by assembling a drip irrigation system with your own hands, you can simultaneously solve several problems, save money, time and get an excellent harvest from your site. Because the drip irrigation system evenly distributes moisture and fertilizer throughout the garden.

In our industrial age, there are several completely different drip irrigation designs.

Device for giving

Most summer residents are interested in the question of how to organize drip irrigation with their own hands? Having decided to assemble the drip irrigation design with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account some nuances, and above all those related to the reserves of the water resource, because there should be enough water to charge the siphon.

The siphon in this situation can be a pipe in the form of an arc, installed vertically, with one end connected to a tank filled with water, and the other end connected to the pipeline.

Moreover, the siphon must have a height corresponding to the volume of liquid in the tank.

The design of irrigation for a summer residence looks like this: water from a tank flows into irrigation hoses, in which holes of a certain diameter are cut to spray water resources. This design of irrigation can take a variety of forms.

As an example, consider the irrigation of shrubs, for which a ring irrigation design is created, and a rectangular irrigation system from a standard pipeline is great for vegetable plantings.

Watering is regulated using a special system that includes a rain valve, several springs, a lever, a pusher, and a tank cover.

The valve will operate if a notch is created on the lid of the tank for rain, which acts as a load. The rain collection valve works on the same principle as the toilet cistern flush system.

When creating the actual design of drip irrigation, it is necessary to take into account certain features of the planting and development of the roots of seedlings, each specific type of planting. Because the speed of fluid movement depends primarily on the depth at which the roots of the planted plantations are located.

So, the deeper the roots go into the ground, the slower the flow of moisture. Plants with shallow roots are more susceptible to drought.

However, the roots of most green spaces are located at a depth not exceeding 20-25 cm, so drip irrigation in a greenhouse needs to use less water, unlike fruit trees.

Automatic design

The automated design of drip irrigation is convenient because it allows you to water every day, at a specified hour, without your presence. The fact is that this system will turn on and off on its own at the right time.

How to make drip irrigation for summer cottages automatic?

The creation of the design of an automatic drip irrigation system must begin with the fact that the pump must be connected to a hose in which through holes must first be made. Water will flow freely through these holes.

The gap between the holes should be 30-35 cm. Next, the hose must be drawn throughout the area. In the process of setting the start time for irrigation, you need to take into account such a parameter as pump power.

The drip irrigation system is ideal for the lawn, because the roots of the grass are usually located at a depth of no more than 15 cm. Moreover, in the summer, the lawn simply needs regular watering, otherwise you risk at least losing the attractiveness of the lawn, otherwise it can lead to complete lawn loss.

Note!

Considering the financial cost of planting new grass, automatic watering seems to be justified.

However, when organizing an automated design, as in the photo of drip irrigation, some design features must be taken into account.

So, there are cases when there is an excess of water in the nearest area, but no water has arrived at the last one. In addition, there are situations when a powerful water pressure, when pumped by a pump, leads to waterlogging.

A special dispenser, purchased at any gardening or assembled with your own hands from a plastic bottle, is able to solve this issue.

The so-called drip irrigation from bottles is formed, the action of which is similar to the operation of a toilet bowl drain barrel.

Note!

This structural element will provide you with the rate of fluid flow to each bed, and individually to each seedling root.

In the automatic design of irrigation, the leading place is given to a dropper mounted on a pipeline system. It is through this device that fluid is supplied directly to the root system.

If, when assembling an automated irrigation design, you decide to save a little on costs, then it is acceptable to replace the droppers with plastic parts from the medical system kit.

However, the best option is ready-made droppers with a mechanism for regulating water pressure, which are available in specialized stores.

DIY drip irrigation photo

Note!

Tired of running around the yard with a watering can, dragging gallons of water every day? Organize drip irrigation in the greenhouse with your own hands. Such a system will not only help you save a lot of time and effort. A gradual drip of water will also be beneficial for plants.

System Benefits

The drip irrigation method was first used in Israel in the 1950s, in a similar way scientists tried to cope with water scarcity. Later it was found that when it is supplied in small portions, not only water and labor resources are saved. Drip irrigation allows you to get earlier harvests.

During normal irrigation, water passes into the ground to a depth of 10 cm. Gradual dripping of it allows the root system to be more saturated with moisture. Roots grow much faster, which means they extract more nutrients from the ground.

Scheme of installation of a drip irrigation system

Since the rest of the soil remains dry, the likelihood of waterlogging the soil is reduced. This has a positive effect on plant health - after all, most of such formidable diseases as powdery mildew, white, gray rot, black leg, bacterial spot develop precisely in conditions of waterlogging.

Since water is supplied under the root, the likelihood of plant burns, which usually occur when moisture gets on the leaves, is significantly reduced. This is due to the effect of the lens, which serve as small drops.

Plus, since only the root zone is irrigated, weeds that don't get enough moisture spread at a slower rate. Prevents a similar system and soil erosion.

Drip irrigation system for greenhouseis simple, but with its help it is possible to achieve an increase in plant yield by 30-40%. This method of irrigation allows you to accurately calculate the time and intensity of watering for each type of plant.

Initially, it was used only in greenhouse conditions. In the future, this method began to be used when growing plants in open ground.

Disadvantages of drip irrigation

The main disadvantage of do-it-yourself drip irrigation systems for greenhouses is mandatory control. After all, with an incorrect calculation and an excess of moisture in the area, in addition to overspending water, you will simply destroy the plants. You will need to regularly check the filling of the barrel - it will need to be constantly topped up.

The disadvantages of drip irrigation include the need for periodic cleaning of holes - due to their small diameter, they often become clogged. However, this is not difficult to do - just flush or purge the system.

To protect the system from contamination, a filter is installed at the inlet (that is, at the beginning of the hose in the barrel). You can even use an ordinary piece of foam rubber as it.

It will become much easier to clean the system - it will be enough to pull out and rinse the foam rubber. It is also necessary to protect the barrel itself from the ingress of debris and insects, as well as the receiver-distributor - they will need to be covered with lids.

Operating principle

We will describe in detail the device for drip irrigation in a home greenhouse. Water supply with this method is carried out using dropper dispensers (nozzles). Its simplest version is a hose with 3-8 mm holes made in it and a main spout plugged with a cork.

To ensure pressure, a tank filled with water with a hose lowered into it is raised to a certain height. Depending on the required pressure, it can be from 1 to 10 m. More complex systems are automated, but we will talk about this below.

Drip irrigation should be done only under the roots of plants. When water is supplied to the aisle, moisture for the roots will not be enough, and crops will develop worse. At the same time, the earth around will be compacted, loosening will be needed. Plus, the damp earth under the rays of the sun will overheat, which will adversely affect growth.

The source of water does not have to be a tap or a barrel. They can serve as a well, a well or a pond. To do this, you will need to connect a pump to the system.

But in any of the cases, the mandatory installation of a filter is required - otherwise the pipeline will quickly become clogged. When taking water from an open source (reservoir), it is first necessary to install a coarse filter, and only then a fine one. In other cases, a single fine filter is sufficient.

But still, for watering a greenhouse or garden, it is better to heat the water in the sun before watering. For this, containers (barrels) of a suitable size are used. When it is raised to a certain height, water will flow into the system by gravity.

Types of droppers

Droppers are devices with small tubes at the end that cut into each of the holes in a hose or pipe to adjust the amount of water supplied.

Depending on the type of crops grown, the size of the plot and the material possibilities, you can choose one of the types of drip systems.

They are divided into:

• uncompensated and compensated: in the first case, the water supply to the end of the bed will be lower than at its beginning; compensated droppers, equipped with a membrane and a valve, are able to dispense water in a dosed manner even at different pressure forces; such devices are ideal for areas with height differences
• devices with a fixed volume of liquid supply(the manufacturer indicates it in the instructions): from 1 l / h
• with manual setting water flow
• equipped with anti-drainage (compensated) system: do not allow to completely remove water from the system even when its supply is turned off; the pressure in them never drops to zero, so when you turn it on again, the time to expel the air is not required
• with dispensers like "spider": more expensive devices with drip irrigation for several plants at once

Whatever type of droppers you choose, always pay attention to the possibility of parsing it. For such structures, the cover must be removed to clean the device from blockage.

Distance between droppers-nozzles

Do-it-yourself water supply in drip irrigation for a greenhouse must be carefully adjusted. With a low pressure, only those plants that are located at the beginning of the garden will be provided with water.

Excess water is also undesirable - landings will suffer.

Types of droppers and dispensers and the distance between them should be selected depending on the type of irrigated plants.

After all, there are no universal devices for irrigation:

• dispensers-"spiders" with a large distance between the dispensers; they are best used for irrigation of perennial greenhouse plants; do not use for open ground and watering seedlings, in this case a smaller distance between droppers is required; conduits for "spiders" are made only suspended
• for watering most crops, the distance between dispensers should be 30 cm
• droppers with a step of 20 cm are used for watering root crops - carrots, onions, etc.
• for melons and gourds, the distance between droppers is 1 m

Calculation of water volume and duration of watering

To make homemade drip irrigation, you should first draw up a plan indicating the length of the beds and the location of the plants on it. Next, a drip irrigation scheme is drawn, which indicates the location of each of the pipelines and a container for collecting water (barrels).

A detailed system plan is needed not only to determine the total length of the pipes, but the number of droppers, as well as adapters, tees and other details.

Water consumption during drip irrigation for such moisture-loving plants as cucumbers is 2 liters per bush, that is, several times less than the usual norm. Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse with already formed fruits is carried out 1 time in 4 days.

Each plant will need 1.5 liters of water. Cabbage and potatoes will need 2.5 liters per day.
Thus, when water is supplied from a 3 l / hour dropper, it will take a little less than an hour to water cucumbers, about 30 minutes for tomatoes, about an hour for cabbage and early potatoes.

Required Materials

To equip a permanent irrigation system that will be operated from year to year, it is better to purchase not hoses, but more durable PVC pipes. Since moisture should enter the system slowly, the diameter of the tubes is selected to be minimal - up to 10-16 mm.

It is better not to use transparent pipes or tapes - algae will grow inside them. Metal pipes will not last long - rust will quickly clog the dropper nozzles.

Manufacturers also offer ready-made irrigation systems in the form of polyethylene drip tapes with built-in drippers. With the help of them it is easier to dose watering - micropores inside resemble a labyrinth in which the direction of water flow is controlled.

The wall thickness of the tapes can vary from 0.127 to 0.381 mm. However, such systems serve no more than one season. In the spring, you will need to purchase new tapes.

In addition to distribution and irrigation pipes, you will need:

• a pump that comes with a filter (such systems are called masterblocks) for supplying water at a certain pressure (up to 1.5 bar)
• droppers (we described their device and types above)
• racks for strengthening droppers-dispensers at the roots of plants
• cocks (switches) for adjusting the flow force and shutting off the system in separate modules
• fum-tape or tow for sealing joints
• plastic connectors
• adapters
• tees
• plugs: they are located at the ends of pipelines

When taking water from a well, you will also need a filter. You can buy a regular mesh or disk. To install automated stations, you will also need a control unit (timer) and a battery.

As nozzles (droppers), you can use parts from medical droppers with a diameter of 1-2 mm.

System assembly. Main stages of work

Doing drip irrigation in a greenhouse with your own hands is not difficult:

1 To install the system, you will need a 100-200-liter barrel, which is raised to a height of about 1-2 meters. If there is a cover, holes are prepared in it for air to enter. If there is no lid, it is better to cover the container with gauze.

2 To insert the hose at the very bottom of the barrel, a hole is prepared with a tap-tip installed in it.

3 Each of the tubes or hoses is laid with a slight slope of 5 cm for each meter of length. They are fixed on small pegs stuck in the ground.

4 Too long pipelines should not be pulled - they will need very large containers. It is much more profitable and more convenient to use several independent systems.

5 PVC pipes are cut with a hacksaw, pipe cutter or miter saw. To obtain tight joints, the cut angle must be accurate and equal to 90 degrees. Therefore, it is better to clamp the pipes in a vise.

6 Small 2 mm holes must be made in hoses or plastic main pipes. In a simple do-it-yourself drip irrigation system in a greenhouse, droppers can be replaced with pieces of ordinary wire, along which drops of water will descend and be supplied to the plant.

7 You can make holes in the hose with an awl or a nail held by pliers. In PVC pipes, it is more convenient to make them with a small-diameter wood drill.

8 When using the pipeline in the form of finished tapes, they are carefully laid out over the site. Pulling and dragging them to avoid damage is strictly prohibited.

9 Pay attention to the markings on the tape in the form of colored lines. Sprinklers are located on this side. It is necessary to lay the system with colored lines up.

11 When connecting taps, fittings (tees and adapters), fum-tape or tow is required for perfect sealing of joints.

12 Before inserting the plug, the system must be flushed out of plastic chips that enter the pipes when drilling.

13 The last step is to check the system. After starting the water, it is necessary to ensure that water reaches each, including the last dropper in the garden. The soil near them should be evenly moistened.

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Automated irrigation systems

When installing the controller (timer), the system is fully automated. That is, it will not be controlled by a person by turning the crane, but by special equipment. At a given time, it will turn on and off the water.

At large enterprises, systems with a high degree of automation are installed - such devices are able to control soil moisture, ambient temperature and even its humidity.

For an automatic irrigation device in private ownership or in the country, it is enough to purchase a simple device that allows you to set up watering at a given period of time. That is, at a certain time, the tap will open and water will be supplied to the system. After its expiration, watering stops.

Installing such equipment is easy. The timer, equipped with fittings on both sides, is inserted into any place in the pipeline. It can also be connected to a pump to control the intake of water.

Subsurface irrigation

This type of irrigation differs from conventional drip irrigation only in the depth of the water supply. A similar method has been known since ancient times - pottery pipes were used for this. Today it is used both on large farmlands and small summer cottages.

Water is supplied to the roots of the plant through tubes equipped with holes. Since the top layer is practically not moistened, a crust does not form on it, and the soil does not require constant loosening.

Another advantage of the method is the minimization of the loss of moisture used in the evaporation process. Subsoil irrigation allows you to maintain a more favorable air and thermal microclimate in the beds.

1 As in the previous case, for the installation of the system you will need a storage tank (barrel) with a tap to shut off the water. To create pressure, it is installed at a height of 1-2 m.

2 You will also need 20-40 mm PVC pipes and fittings (tees and adapters).

3 In the pipeline, every 20-40 cm, round holes of 2-3 mm or slot-like holes of a slightly smaller width (1-2 mm) are made every 20-40 cm, 5-10 mm long.

4 Water consumption should be small - 0.1-0.3 liters per day. This requires minimal pressure.

5 To protect against small particles of debris that can clog the system, filters are installed at the beginning of the pipeline (inside the barrel). You can use both mesh, sand or gravel.

6 The depth of laying the pipeline into the ground is 20-30 cm. The minimum distance between them is 40-90 cm. It is not worth laying pipes higher, otherwise the water will seep out and the soil will quickly become crusted.

7 Since on heavy loamy soils water flows both in depth and on the sides, the distance between adjacent pipelines can be made a little larger. On loose sandy soils, when moisture passes mainly inland, the distance between adjacent pipelines should be minimal.

9 You can determine the distance for specific crops empirically. Bury one or two pipelines next to the garden bed and after a couple of days dig with a shovel in 2-3 places. The soil in this place should be slightly damp.

10 On dry sandy soils, so that precious moisture does not go to great depths, a film 10-20 cm wide is laid under the pipes.

11 It is necessary to supply water to the humidifier pipes under a small pressure at a water flow rate of 0.1-0.3 l / s.

12 To prevent the openings of humidifiers from becoming clogged with debris, soil particles or silt, water should be supplied to them through mesh, gravel or sand filters.

13 Just like in a conventional drip system, an underground (subsurface) irrigation system can be equipped with a pump and a timer to ensure automatic water supply at a given time.

When using underground irrigation systems, it is desirable to use special hoses impregnated with herbicides. It does not allow the roots of plants to break into the inlets.