How to make drip irrigation yourself - secrets from professionals. Do-it-yourself drip irrigation from medical droppers Drip irrigation yourself
If you cannot buy a high-quality irrigation system for the beds, then you can use drip watering of plants, which is made from improvised means. In addition, on your site you can find many items from which you can easily make an irrigation system. Obviously, in this case you will have to spend a minimum of money. However, you can safely use the created devices for watering your garden.
A long time ago, drip irrigation of beds was invented by the Israelis. They watered their dry lands in gardens and parks. Despite the fact that our gardens are not as large as Israeli parks, the system will be quite enough to saturate the soil in the area with moisture. First of all, there will be no need to carry water manually, and irrigation costs will be reduced.
The most important thing is that it saves time. Well, if your plot is not large, then there is no point in buying expensive irrigation systems. You can make a system yourself that will not be worse than the factory device.
Scheme: DIY drip irrigation system
DIY drip irrigation from plastic bottles
The best and easiest option to make a garden watering system is to use plastic bottles, which we throw in the trash. This system is especially good for a small garden. One container can be used for a maximum of two plants, but the maximum is an individual approach to each plant. In order to water crops that require a lot of moisture, install a container with a large number of holes. So, two liters of water will easily last for three days. If it is not possible to constantly monitor the water level in the container, then place a five-liter eggplant. There are several ways to make an irrigation system from plastic bottles.
So, let's dig a container between the beds. We make holes on the side with a needle. To prevent the lag from going away quickly, you do not need to make large holes. Leave the neck of the bottle above the surface of the ground so that it is convenient to pour water. You also need to make several holes in the lid so that the air pushes out the water.
There is a second way to make an irrigation system. To do this, the container is suspended above the bed. We dig supports on both sides of the bed. We place a beam on them, on which the bottles will be hung. We cut off the bottom. In this case, the evaporation of water will be faster than in the previous method, but the water will always be warm, which is better for plants. To prevent water from draining too quickly, moderate holes are made in the neck.
You can also use a plastic container and a ceramic cone. We put it on the neck of the bottle. The cones are inserted into the ground. The bottom of the bottle is also cut off, but the container is no longer suspended, but simply placed.
If you have old hoses on your property, you can use them to create a good drip irrigation system. Even if there are cracks in the hose, we will cover them with insulation. The main thing is to make sure that the moisture from the hose comes out into the garden bed, but not in large quantities. Initially, the hose is laid on the beds to understand at what distance the holes need to be made. If the pipe is plastic, then before piercing the holes, it is better to heat the needle.
Do-it-yourself drip irrigation at the dacha: video
Once the holes are ready, connect the hose to the tap and adjust the water flow so that it is moderate. The best option is two drops per minute. If the region is quite dry, then you can make more holes and also make the water supply more intense.
It is noteworthy that the hose can not only be placed on top of the bed, but also dug into the ground. This is even better - water will immediately flow to the root system. You can hang a hose, but it is best to choose dense HDPE pipes that will not sag above the ground.
Drip irrigation from medical droppers, video
Watering with an irrigation system is quite convenient. At the same time, the system itself is easy to implement. Time is saved, which means there is an opportunity to do other things instead of carrying water to water the garden.
The peculiarity of the drip irrigation system is that moisture supplied through a special polymer tape or droppers is delivered directly to the root system of plants. Thanks to this, the overall water consumption is reduced and at the same time the crop yield increases. In addition, drip irrigation does not lead to waterlogging of the soil and reduces the likelihood of weeds appearing - they do not receive enough moisture.
It’s not difficult to create a similar system in your own garden. This article will provide you with detailed step-by-step instructions for designing and installing drip irrigation using polypropylene pipes.
Compared to conventional metal pipes, polypropylene products have a set of advantages that make them a good choice for installing a drip irrigation system on a personal plot.
It is worth highlighting the following advantages of PP pipes:
- light weight;
- cheapness;
- ease of installation;
- no condensation;
- almost complete absence of deposits on the internal walls;
- service life is about 50 years.
In order to standardize characteristics, all polypropylene pipes are marked, dividing them into four groups.
- PN10 - pipes designed only for cold water (up to +45 degrees) and exclusively at pressures up to 10 atmospheres. Due to relatively weak characteristics they are rare.
- PN16 - pipes designed to operate at pressures up to 16 atmospheres and temperatures up to +60 degrees. Suitable for drip irrigation system.
- PN20 – maximum operating pressure is 20 atmospheres, can withstand temperatures up to +95 degrees.
- PN25 - the permissible temperature is similar to the previous type; the pressure in them can reach up to 25 atmospheres. They are equipped with reinforced layers that increase the strength of the pipe.
In drip irrigation lines, the operating pressure does not exceed 2-3 atmospheres, and the water temperature is equal to or lower than the ambient air temperature. Therefore, polypropylene pipes PN10 and PN16 can be used here. The use of PN20 and PN25 is acceptable, but their characteristics are redundant for such a system.
Prices for polypropylene pipes
polypropylene pipes
Do-it-yourself drip irrigation - making a plan
This system consists of several elements; let’s get acquainted with the features of each of them.
- Water container. On one side it is connected to the drip irrigation pipes, on the other – to the water supply from which it is replenished. Necessary for storing water and heating it under sunlight to a temperature close to that of air. The presence of a container is mandatory, since when connecting drip irrigation lines directly to the water supply, the moisture reaching the plants will not have time to warm up and will be too cold. As a result, crops will experience “stress”, which will affect their condition and productivity.
Designing drip irrigation for a greenhouse or garden plot is divided into several steps, performed sequentially.
Step 1. Determine the area of the site for which you need to install drip irrigation. Take measurements, calculate the number and length of the beds, the distance between them, as well as the number of plants on each of them.
Step 2. Calculate the amount of water required to water all crops on the site. On average, one square meter requires from 15 to 30 liters of water per day. Calculate more accurate values using the table below.
Table No. 1. Daily water requirements of some crops.
Please note that water consumption for each individual plant is not constant. The value varies depending on average temperature, precipitation levels and the characteristics of the soil in which the crops grow. Excessive watering is just as harmful as insufficient watering, since it leads to rotting of the plant roots.
Step 3. Based on the figure obtained at the previous stage, determine the volume of the water tank and the cross-section of the main pipeline. The table below shows the maximum possible liquid flow rate depending on the pipe diameter. Select the volume of the tank and the cross-section of the main line with a small margin according to the characteristics. This small reserve may be needed if water consumption for irrigation increases.
Table. Dependence of the maximum water flow on the diameter of the pipeline.
| Pipe diameter, mm | Water consumption, l/hour |
|---|---|
| 16 | 600 |
| 20 | 900 |
| 25 | 1800 |
| 32 | 3000 |
| 40 | 4800 |
| 50 | 7200 |
Step 4. Determine the number and length of branches connected to the common main line. If drip irrigation tape is used as a direct means of delivering moisture to plants, then proceed from the rule: one bed - one outlet with tape. And when using polypropylene pipes and drippers from one outlet, you can provide watering to two beds at once.
If there are long lines and branches, a pump must be used to maintain pressure in the system.
Step 5. Determine the distance between the droppers connected to the bends of polypropylene pipes. One dripper can “feed” two plants in one bed (or four when the outlet is located between adjacent beds) if there is an appropriate adapter.
Step 6. Take a double squared notebook sheet or graph paper and draw a sketch of the future drip irrigation system. Transfer to it the location of the water tank, fertilizer container, tap, filter, main pipe, tee fittings and bends.
Step 7 Calculate the amount of materials needed to install the irrigation system. The layouts and sketches created at the previous design stages will help you with this.
Installing the container
The water tank must be located at a certain height so that the force of gravity acting on the liquid creates pressure in the pipes of the drip irrigation system. On average, the container is raised to a height of 2 meters - thus, the pressure in the line is sufficient for effective watering of 40-50 square meters. If the plot with beds has b O larger area, then either the tank is raised higher, or a pump is installed in the main line.
Step 1. Build a support for the container. The easiest way to make it is from timber with a large cross-section and thick wide boards. Drive the beam to a certain depth into the ground, lay the boardwalk on top. For greater strength, install crossbars between the supports. Instead of timber and boards, you can use bricks or steel pipes.
Step 2. Mount the connection to the drip irrigation line on the container. Install the fitting and tap at a height of 5-10 centimeters from the bottom of the container - this will prevent large particles of dust and dirt from getting into the pipeline.
Step 3. On the opposite side of the container, install a connection to the water supply. Use a shut-off valve with a float mechanism - the device will automatically open to refill the tank and close when the water level reaches its maximum.
Step 4. Lift and place the container on the support. Postpone the direct connection of the tank to the water supply until the last stage of arranging the drip irrigation system.
An open tank can be used as a container - in this case it will be partially replenished by rain. But at the same time, take care to install a good filter - along with precipitation, a lot of dust, debris and leaves will get into the container, which can cause the pipes to become clogged.
Laying the main line and branches
Since polypropylene pipes are used as the material for the main line and branches, you need to become familiar with how to properly cut and connect them to each other.
You can get a clean cut without burrs or deformations using special pipe cutters designed to work with plastic products. If for some reason it is impossible to purchase such a tool, then as an alternative, use a hacksaw or, when working with small-section pipes, a sharp stationery knife. But at the same time, the quality of the cut will decrease, and this will not affect the durability of the pipe and the quality of the connection with other elements of the system.
Things are more complicated with the connection of polypropylene pipes with fittings and other elements.
There are three ways in total:
- using soldering;
- using crimping;
- using cold welding.
The first method provides a strong and durable connection that can withstand high pressure in the system. But for it you will need a special soldering machine with a set of attachments and some skills in working with such a tool.
Tool for soldering polypropylene pipes
Step 1. Inspect the fitting and pipe section for defects or defects.
Step 2. Degrease the outer surface of the pipe at the intended joint and the inner surface of the fitting.
Step 3. Install the appropriate nozzle on the soldering tool - the hole in the part for the pipe should correspond to the outer diameter, and in the part for the fitting - to the internal section.
Step 4. Warm up the soldering tool and nozzle.
Step 5. At the same time, insert the pipe and push the fitting into the corresponding parts of the nozzle. Wait for the time specified in the instructions for the tool. The soldering iron will heat the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting.
Step 6. At the same time, remove the fitting and pull the pipe out of the nozzle and connect them to each other to the heating depth. Hold for five seconds, then allow the connection to cool for some time.
The main disadvantage of using a soldering machine is the need for a soldering tool. It is quite expensive, and using it only once is impractical.
In addition, such a connection is non-separable. An alternative is to use compression fittings and a crimp wrench. However, in the case of polypropylene pipes, the quality and tightness of such a connection leave much to be desired. A simpler and cheaper connection method is “cold welding” using special glue.
Cold welding prices
cold welding
Step 1. Examine the fitting and pipe for defects. If there are no defects, join without glue and mark the depth of the joint using a marker.
Step 2. Degrease and clean the bonded surfaces of the pipe and fitting.
Step 3. Apply glue to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting.
Step 4. Connect the elements together. Make sure that they connect smoothly, without skewing to one side. They should be held in this position for 15 to 30 seconds. Water supply in such a connection is permissible only after 24 hours.
Connecting PP pipes using the cold welding method
The pipelines of a drip irrigation system can be made detachable and easily dismantled using American type fittings.
Before starting the installation of the main line and branches, it is necessary to decide which method of pipe arrangement is preferable - surface or deep. In the first case, all elements of the system are simply laid on the ground (or above it using bracket holders). Pipes lying on the surface are easy to repair and replace, but they can also easily be damaged due to carelessness.
When buried deep, the main and auxiliary communications are laid in a narrow trench with a depth of 0.3 to 0.75 meters. In this case, inspection and maintenance of pipes becomes more difficult, but at the same time they do not interfere with walking around the site and harvesting crops from plants. Having decided on the location of the highways, you can begin to install them.
Step 1. Attach a fine filter to the water tank and ball valve. If you intend to install a container with fertilizers, a pump and a controller for automatic drip irrigation, install them.
Step 2. Using an elbow fitting and a piece of pipe of the appropriate size, bring the line to a height of approximately 5-10 centimeters above the ground. Install the holder bracket as a support.
Step 3. Cut pieces of polypropylene pipes according to the distance between the bends. Also take into account the “seams” between the parts of the line and the fittings.
Step 4. Sequentially install and connect the sections to the tee fittings. At the same time, maintain the slope - the end of the highway should be closer to the ground than the beginning. This is necessary for effective drainage of water before the onset of cold weather.
Step 5. At the end of the main pipe, install either a plug or a ball valve. The latter is preferable because by opening it, you will be able to quickly drain water or clear the pipes of blockages that have accumulated in them.
Option #1. Drip tape
First, let's look at the option with tape. The thickness of its walls and the spacing of the holes are selected depending on what crop is planned to be supplied with moisture.
Table No. 3. The spacing of holes on the drip tape depends on the crops being grown.
The sequence of actions is as follows.
Step 1. Install start connectors with taps to the tees perpendicular to the main line.
Step 2. Divide the drip tape into parts equal in length to the length of the beds (with a small margin).
Step 3. Fix one end of the drip tape in the start connector.
Step 4. Cover the other end of the drip tape with a cap or roll it up and tie it with insulating tape.
Drip tape is not best suited for areas where birds and rodents are found in large numbers, which can easily damage its thin walls.
Option #2. Tube with droppers
In the second case, you will need small-diameter polypropylene pipes (for example, 16 cm for small beds), an adjustable dripper with bends, flexible tubes with a cross-section of 3-5 mm and turbulent stands. One outlet can have 1, 2 or 4 outlets, respectively, one dropper can supply 1, 2 or 4 bushes with moisture.
Step 1. Using soldering or cold welding, attach branch pipes to the tees perpendicular to the main.
Step 2. Drill holes in the outlet pipe at a certain pitch. The diameter of the holes must correspond to the diameter of the dropper seal.
Step 3. Insert the dropper seal into the hole, then the dropper itself. Next, mount the branch and connect to it the appropriate number of flexible tubes with turbulent struts at the end. Then insert them into the ground next to the plants.
Step 4. Install a plug at the end of the outlet pipe.
Step 5. Repeat the previous two steps with all the holes on the outlet pipes.
The final stages of installing a drip irrigation system are connecting the tank to the water supply, filling it with liquid and a kind of stress test, during which you need to make sure that all elements of the system are working properly.
For a better understanding of the drip irrigation system, we recommend that you watch the following video.
Video - How to make drip irrigation with your own hands
Automation of a drip irrigation system
Today, manual control for a drip irrigation system is impractical - it requires daily presence on a personal plot, which can only be ensured in cases where you either live there or have enough free time to come there every other day.
The simplest option for automating the system is to install a specialized microcomputer. It consists of a programmable controller, a set of chips with memory, an LCD display, control buttons and a housing that is resistant to moisture and temperature changes. A microcomputer is installed on the central line and a regular watering program is set in it. Switching on and off is carried out using solenoid valves, replacing conventional ball valves.
Prices for controllers for automatic watering
controllers for automatic watering
But such a system does not take into account the state of the environment, so there is always a risk that the plants either do not receive the required amount of moisture or receive it in excess. The solution to this problem is to install a set of weather and humidity sensors. Depending on the weather and soil moisture, the watering program will be adjusted to increase or decrease the volume of water directed to each plant.
The structure of such a system is as follows: a plastic bottle with small diameter holes is dug in near each individual plant in the greenhouse. Read more in .
A drip irrigation system based on polypropylene pipes and droppers will not only free you from work related to supplying plants with water, but will also help to significantly increase their growth rate and productivity.
Video - Automatic drip irrigation “Rosinka” in a greenhouse
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Simple homemade drip irrigation for a garden in the country: device, connection diagram, photo, video of making drip irrigation with your own hands.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to independently install a drip irrigation system, calculate the volume of the storage tank, the diameter of the pipes, select the right materials, and watch a video of drip irrigation in action.
Another interesting video: do-it-yourself drip irrigation.
But this method of irrigating a garden, in addition to its obvious advantages, also has its disadvantages.
The peculiarity of drip irrigation is that only a small area of land near the plant is irrigated, the roots receive moisture and grow, but when they get into an unirrigated area, the roots dry out and are inhibited. You can solve this problem in the following ways:
Periodically, 1 - 2 times a month, completely water the area manually with a hose.
Periodically increase the intensity of drip irrigation and the amount of water for irrigating the area.
Now it’s not a problem to build a drip irrigation system for your dacha with your own hands without additional installation costs. You can purchase components for the drop in specialized chain or online stores, or use available materials and your ingenuity. The simplest option is to purchase a ready-made automated irrigation system, which you simply need to assemble.
The idea of drip irrigation arose among farmers back in the last century; it was used to create irrigation systems for vegetable and melon crops in arid regions. The main goal of such irrigation is to deliver life-giving moisture precisely to the root zone of a vegetable plant (tomato, pepper, eggplant), fruit trees, shrubs or under garden strawberry bushes.
The main element of the system is a water source, from which moisture is supplied to the desired part of the vegetable garden (garden) and drips into the ground in small portions. Water supply and shutdown can be carried out automatically, according to time, or upon reaching the desired level of soil moisture, or manually.
Transport communications (pipes, tape, hose) must approach each plant and deliver water directly to the roots. The pressure is created using a pump or due to height differences (the source is raised to a sufficient height).
Benefits of drip irrigation
A list of the positive aspects of drip irrigation for those who still carry watering cans and hoses around the garden. First of all, this is a real saving of water, personal time and physical strength of the summer resident. This is already a big plus, especially if the water is not from a natural source, but from a paid water supply and the flow is controlled by a meter.
Reference
With properly organized watering, they save about 80% of water, completely satisfying the plants' moisture needs.
Using the drop has a positive effect on plants:
- the soil is always moist, there is no excess or lack of moisture;
- optimal humidity in the root zone prevents fungal infections and improves immunity;
- no sunburn;
- The system allows you to combine watering with root feeding with fertilizers.
During the hot season, greenhouse owners are especially happy about the drop. Drip irrigation plus mulch and good ventilation provide comfortable conditions for plants and make life much easier for summer residents.
How to make drip irrigation with your own hands without high costs
In order to save the family budget, having a minimum set of tools at the dacha, many people do drip irrigation with their own hands from available materials. Homemade designs improve the quality of irrigation.
A water source with a volume of at least 100 liters will be required. Canisters and plastic barrels are suitable for this purpose. An important point is the installation height of the container, it should be at least 1 m, and preferably 1.5-2 m.
Important!
The water pressure in the system will depend on the height at which the barrel is located.
It is practical to place the container under the drain. This arrangement has two advantages: the consumption of tap water is reduced, and rain water contains ammonium and iron that are useful for garden crops. Water is supplied under bushes, trees, and into the greenhouse onto the ridges using garden hoses.
You need to cut the hose and make holes in it after the exact irrigation diagram has been drawn. It is necessary to make allowances - cut segments of a slightly longer length than indicated in the diagram. Lay out the resulting pieces according to the drawing, connect them, and install taps in the right places. In the designated places, use a hot nail or drill to make holes for water supply.
Drip irrigation system options
For those who like to do everything with their own hands, there are different ways to choose from for making country drip irrigation. One option is to purchase from a gardening store:
- hose for supplying water to the greenhouse (on the ridge);
- ribbons of the required length;
- cranes;
- fittings.
There are ready-made kits on sale that contain everything you need (tape, hoses, tap, tee, couplers) and assembly instructions, but you can quickly make a simple structure for watering using the advice of folk craftsmen.
Traditional design
In country houses and dachas, the classic irrigation scheme is in use, consisting of a barrel (water source) and a branched water supply system consisting of pipes (hoses), plugs, special hoses (tapes), start connectors, tees and taps.
The pipes serve as a main water conduit; through them, water flows to the plants in the garden beds or to the greenhouse. Water is supplied to the plants through special hoses, into which droppers are mounted, when choosing which they look at the characteristics:
- productivity (l/hour);
- the interval between droppers for hoses is 0.2-1.5 m, for tapes 0.15-0.3 m;
- wall thickness of the tape (hose).
Reference
The optimal hose performance is 1.2-4 l/hour.
Hoses with thick walls of 20 mm or more are more expensive, but have a longer service life than thin-walled ones. The thickness of drip tapes is less (0.12-0.4 mm), they have an oval shape, and come in two types: seamless, glued. The allowed length of the irrigation hose is 250 m with a tape diameter of 16 mm and 450 m if the diameter is 22 mm.
Polypropylene pipes are laid from the source to the irrigation hoses from a hose or tape, and fittings are used to connect the structure. To disconnect the irrigation zone from the source, taps are installed in the system, they are placed after the tees so that debris does not clog the holes of the tape, and a filter is installed on any source.
DIY drip irrigation from plastic bottles
Over the winter it is easy to accumulate a large number of plastic bottles with a volume of 1.5 to 2 liters. In the spring they will come in handy in the garden; with their help you can build a simple structure for delivering water to the root system. We are preparing the tool; for the job we need a drill and a two-piece drill (2 mm).
Reference
The volume of liquid poured into the bottle is enough for 3 days. For summer residents who occasionally come to the countryside, the design will help organize regular watering of moisture-loving crops (cucumbers, peppers) in the greenhouse and in the open ground.
Stages of making a bottle drop:
- holes are drilled in the tire;
- the bottom of the container is cut, but not completely;
- near a bush (tomato, pepper, strawberry) in the root area, dig a hole (no more than 15 cm);
- the bottle is placed in a recess, tilted at 45° to the horizon;
- pour water.
Instead of a tire with holes, you can use commercial watering pegs. They are put on the neck of the bottle and stuck in the right place. The bottle design is suitable for root feeding. Instead of water, liquid fertilizer is poured.
Watering using medical droppers
Inexpensive medical droppers are used in the manufacture of a simple watering system for a summer residence. You will also need a polyethylene pipe with a diameter of 25 mm and tools: a drill with a 4 mm drill and a thick sewing needle.
Using a needle in the flask from the dropper, they pick out the filter, and using a drill, drill the required number of holes in the pipe for the droppers. The pipes are laid out around the site, welded, and the source is equipped with a tap and filter.
Important!
To prevent dirt from the bottom of the barrel from entering the system, a hole for the tap is drilled at a height of 7 cm from the bottom of the container.
A filter for water purification is placed next to the tap, and a central line pipe is attached to it. One end of the dropper is inserted into the holes drilled in the pipes, the second end with a dispenser is attached to a peg and installed in the watering area. The water supply speed is controlled using clamps.
Drip irrigation from polypropylene pipes
Polypropylene pipes serve for many years, they do not rust and are easily connected to each other by welding. In addition to pipes you need to have:
- a barrel of 100 liters or more;
- valve (ball);
- water filter;
- tees;
- taps.
First, draw a diagram indicating the exact dimensions and designation of watering points. Calculate the total length of the pipes and the number of bends. The storage tank is raised to a height of 1.5-2 m, a tap is embedded in its lower part, and a distance of 7-10 cm is removed from the bottom. A 100-liter capacity is enough to provide humidity for 50 m² of garden.
One end of the central line is connected to a container (filter), a plug is attached to the second, and each outlet must end with a plug. Holes are drilled in pipes (branches). When all the parts are assembled, fill the container, open the tap and check whether water flows to the ridges.
Underground drip irrigation
Underground irrigation reduces moisture evaporation, which means it reduces the amount of water used. It takes less time to fight weeds; they do not grow in the absence of surface watering. A big advantage of underground irrigation is the absence of crust; the soil on the surface is always loose, which ensures good access of oxygen to the roots.
It is good to have an underground drip irrigation system in a greenhouse: communications do not take up useful space, air and soil humidity are normal, and there is no oxygen starvation in plants.
Required Tools
First of all, you need a shovel. We'll have to dig trenches since all communications will be underground. The tools you need are a drill and scissors. Holes are drilled in the pipes with a drill, and the plastic film is cut with scissors. Pipes for underground irrigation are made of polypropylene; to connect them, you will need a basic set of tools:
- soldering iron;
- steel knife;
- hacksaw;
- pencil and tape measure.
Simple soldering irons for propylene are not expensive, but you don’t have to purchase them; you can rent them for a short period of time.
Manufacturing and installation process
First, they draw a diagram and take measurements, determining the required length of pipes. Polyethylene pipes with a diameter of 20 to 40 mm are suitable for underground irrigation. Holes with a diameter of 2-3 mm are drilled with the required pitch of 20-40 cm, using a drill.
Important!
You need to install a filter on the water container to purify the water.
The trenches are dug to the depth of the roots according to the developed scheme, the distance between the trenches is maintained at 40-90 cm and installation begins:
- strips of polyethylene are laid on the bottom and walls;
- a layer of crushed stone is poured on top of the polyethylene, its thickness is at least 4 cm;
- pipes are laid on the drainage layer;
- the pipes are soldered, covered with geotextiles, covered with gravel and soil.
The water container is raised above the ground so that the height difference provides pressure in the system. The main line is connected to the source with a flexible hose through a filter.
If you don't want to work with your hands
Busy people do not have time to make homemade structures and independently select components for irrigation; they prefer to buy ready-made systems. Industrial irrigation systems are popular among summer residents:
- AquaDusya, AquaDusya Water Tap, AquaDusya automatic;
- Water strider;
- irrigation systems from Gardena;
- Dewdrop;
- Harvest;
- PDA 24K.
Choosing a drip irrigation system
For summer residents who rarely come to their dacha, Water Strider, AquaDusya Automatic, and KPK 24K are suitable. These systems are equipped with automation, the watering mode is set, and greenhouses and garden beds are watered when the owner is not at the dacha or is busy with other things.
There are sets Rosinka, KPK 24, Harvest, Gardena without automation, which manually regulate the volume of water supply and connection (disconnection). Most industrial drip irrigation systems are designed to supply water from a barrel. The AquaDusya Water Tap and Gardena sets can operate from the water supply and from the pumping station.
Reference
If there is no power supply at the dacha, they purchase kits in which the automation is powered by batteries.
When purchasing, evaluate the system performance and your needs:
- irrigation area;
- number of beds;
- type of vegetable crops.
Each vegetable or garden crop requires a certain amount of water per watering.
Installation of the system in a greenhouse or vegetable garden
Installation begins with the installation and equipment of the water tank. They make an insertion of a tap to connect to the water supply and a tap to connect to the main pipe going to the watering site. The tank is placed on a support.
First connect the filter, then the automation (timer, controller). To extend their service life, it is recommended to place them in plastic technological boxes that protect the automation from rain and dust.
Start installing the irrigation system:
- a highway is laid between the beds (in the greenhouse);
- using fittings (angles, tees), make branches (branches) in the necessary places;
- holes are drilled in the main pipe;
- droppers or tapes for watering are inserted into the holes;
- tapes are laid in the watering zone, droppers are distributed in places for planting;
- fill the container with water;
- do a test run.
The automation is configured after assessing the quality of irrigation. The frequency and time of watering are set on the timer (controller).
How to automate the process, “smart drip irrigation” with your own hands
Smart automation (timer, controller, sensors) makes life easier for the summer resident. Installing a timer (electromechanical, electrical) on a water source allows water to be supplied and turned off automatically at specified time intervals.
In order for the timer to work, the pressure in the system is maintained using a pump; when choosing, evaluate the characteristics:
- power;
- noise produced during operation;
- resistance to chemical compounds.
That is, the motor must be powerful enough, not noisy and not react to fertilizer solutions. If the pressure level is unstable, install a pressure reducer.
Using the controller, a program is set that controls watering for several days. Automation uses sensors to analyze the following indicators:
- water pressure;
- soil moisture level;
- air temperature.
Controllers can be single-channel or multi-channel. In a branched drip irrigation system, you can install several single-channel timers.
Conclusion
It takes little time to assemble the irrigation system. There are no works of high complexity, so any man who knows how to use a drill can assemble it. The family budget will tell you which is better, a homemade drop from scrap materials, or a ready-made system of domestic or foreign production. In order not to waste time troubleshooting and repairing, you need to take accurate measurements, draw a diagram and carry out the installation correctly.
The main advantage and purpose of such soil watering is to give the plants exactly the amount of water they need at the right time. If you use this irrigation system correctly, and also take care of it, any summer resident at the end of the season will be able to get an unprecedented harvest. The increase in yield occurs due to the fact that the root of the plant crop breathes and develops rapidly.
One such installation is capable of watering more than 40 m² of beds per day.
Moreover, if various organic fertilizers are added to the water during irrigation, they will dissolve well in it and go directly to the roots of the plant. And as a consequence of this, fertilizing is carried out with maximum results. “Drop,” as summer residents themselves call this type of irrigation, makes it possible to effectively irrigate and freely cultivate the soil and planted crops. It also helps to protect the top part of the plants from possible burns, which cannot be avoided with normal watering (water collecting on the leaves creates the effect of a magnifying lens).
How to install drip irrigation - the main nuances
Any summer resident can independently assemble a greenhouse irrigation system by drip irrigation of the soil. It should be noted that drip irrigation in a greenhouse can be arranged using tapes or individual droppers. First, draw up a rough diagram of the greenhouse and decide how the irrigation system will be placed.
It is best to plan and install the system before the plants are planted.– in this case, the installation process will be much faster, because you will not have to go around the plants. This is ideal, in fact, it is never too late to install such irrigation, so if you have already planted plants, then you just need to take into account how the crop is planted, how many rows, what is the distance between plant bushes.
Then you need to purchase the following components from a hardware store: start connectors (plastic adapters), a water filter, plugs, a plastic container of 250-300 liters, drip tape or separate droppers, a water supply valve and a main pipeline pipe.
How to make drip irrigation yourself - installation without problems!
So, let's talk in detail about how to make drip irrigation yourself. In order to create a minimum pressure in the system, you need to take a container and install it at a height of 2-2.5 meters. Then, from this tank in the center of the greenhouse in a horizontal position, we begin to lay a metal-plastic pipe or main hose. As for drip tapes or individual droppers, we lay them with a slight slope to improve water flow. Drip tape–This is a hose or plastic tube with holes at a certain distance.
After this, a small hole is made in the main pipe opposite each row of plants. You need to insert a sealing rubber into the hole made, and then attach a water supply tap and a tape or dropper. A plug is installed at the end of this structure. Next, the tape is laid out so that the hole in it is located strictly near the root of the crop.
It is important that taps are present on all links of the belt - this allows you to regulate the process of fertilizing and irrigation. Checking the operation of drip irrigation. When the entire system is connected into a single structure, it is necessary to remove all plugs and perform a test run of water. This is done in order to wash each pipe and tape, as well as to test the irrigation in operation. With the use of drip irrigation, even an ordinary one for your own consumption can grow into a small business, because you can sell most of the harvest.
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