Drip irrigation with your own hands from improvised materials. How to make drip irrigation of the garden in the country with your own hands? The secret of making watering from plastic bottles

How do you water your yard? Do you put water containers, warm it up and only then use a watering can or a hose to water vegetables and berries or install drip irrigation for a greenhouse from a barrel? It should be noted that in the first case, the usefulness of irrigation is minimal, It all depends on the composition of the soil.. And with drip irrigation, you take into account only the composition of the soil and the type of crop (you can create your own irrigation scheme for each plant!), But huge water savings.

Conveniently - the system works by itself, the paths between the beds are absolutely dry, you do not need to drag hundreds of liters of water at a time. When correct installed system drip irrigation, you can simultaneously supply plants with useful trace elements - dissolve in a barrel of water the right top dressing, now with the water the plants will get everything they need.

Modern systems that provide automatic drip irrigation for plants are commercially available. You can work a little yourself and make the same convenient system out of improvised materials, you will find a diagram at the end of the article.

Domestic drip irrigation systems

For irrigation of plants in greenhouses and open ground you are offered new developments of drip irrigation systems "Beetle", "Dusya", "Drop", "WaterLey". These are developments of domestic production.

It is most difficult to water plants indoors. For watering the lawn and plants in the beds, simple systems are installed everywhere automatic watering from rotary mechanisms, water supply regulators and timers. Such systems are installed on the site at the very beginning of construction, while work on the formation of landscape design has not yet been carried out.

To install drip irrigation of plants, such global work is not necessary. The simplest drip irrigation for a greenhouse from a barrel involves having a large capacity warm water , the required amount of supply hose with micro hoses and micro droppers. Due to the fact that water penetrates into the soil drop by drop, soil moistening is achieved to a depth of about half a meter, this cannot be done from a watering can. Nutrients for each specific plant variety can be dissolved in water.

Which system to choose

The drip irrigation system for each type of plant may be the same, but the supply water will contain only needed by plants bait. You no longer need to bypass the plants in the beds with a small watering can and lift the bushes to get exactly to the roots. Groundbait is useful for plants, but can leave burns on stems and foliage, and therefore watered with such compositions carefully and carefully, only in cloudy weather or in the evening, after sunset. Your new system can work during the day, it is absolutely safe for plants and reliable.

The only strict condition the presence of a filter, microdroppers can quickly become clogged, bait particles can also settle on the walls of the micro hoses, making them impassable to water. All systems of such convenient drip irrigation are divided into two types:

• Manual. The watering tank is filled in the morning for warming up. In the evening, the tap for supplying water to the water system simply opens.
• semi-automatic. You will fill the container yourself, then the automation works according to a given program. Such systems are convenient for areas with a well or well.

The history of the creation of drip irrigation systems tells that they were produced and developed for regions with a shortage of water. Only after feedback from grateful users was received, such systems began to be used everywhere.

Today, almost every owner has a ready-made drip irrigation device in a greenhouse. And if you do not find a system that can fully satisfy you, then it is not at all difficult to make drip irrigation in a greenhouse with your own hands. Just imagine that the yield of tomatoes in greenhouses with such equipment doubles! The soil is sufficiently moistened, salt deposits do not form on the soil surface, appearance plants are improving.

Almost all drip irrigation systems for plants use drip-impulse circuit. Such designs are convenient for small greenhouses, we will assume that an area of ​​36 sq m is optimal. However, even for huge greenhouses, individual systems irrigation based on drip irrigation of plants.

Local-impulse irrigation system allows you to direct right amount water into the root system of the plant. An impenetrable dry crust does not form on the soil, the soil structure remains intact, evaporation from the soil surface is minimal. Moisture does not get on the leaves, which does not cause burns and drying out of plants.

Design of drip irrigation systems for plants

Why install drip irrigation in a greenhouse? The answer is clear even to a novice gardener. Purchase a hose, micro hoses and micro droppers and install such a design in your greenhouse. Analog - ready-made irrigation system "Dusya", directing water to the root system of each individual plant . A rather extensive moistened zone is formed around the root system, there is no cone knocked out by water.

This is how drip irrigation of tomatoes works in a greenhouse: the plant gets enough moisture, at root system does not break down, does not form on plant leaves dark spots late blight.

Pay attention to how the drip irrigation device is arranged in the greenhouse:

• Water intake from a source - a well, a well, a reservoir.
• filtering system.
• drip lines.

The basis of the system is precisely the drip line. Which base to choose tubing or drip tape- you decide. Droppers can be inserted into tubes or tapes, or installed externally. External droppers are compensated and uncompensated, their water consumption is different, they are adjusted and regulated manually. There are also "push-button" smallest droppers.

All these systems are non-separable, you will not be able to clean them mechanically, which is why an inlet filter to the device is needed. Only modern droppers have a "self-cleaning" mode.

You can buy hoses ("ribbons") made of thermal polyethylene with built-in microscopic watering holes. However, it should be noted right away that such systems do not last very long, therefore they are considered unprofitable, although their price suits buyers.

Drip irrigation, Aqua Dusya

A few words about the "Dusya" drip irrigation system. To date, manufacturers offer buyers:

• Without automation. Can be connected to a barrel usually installed above ground level. One barrel can irrigate up to sixty plants. Each drip dispenses about three liters of water every hour. The system must be turned on and off manually.
• semi-automatic. You need to fill the barrels once a week, everything else happens automatically.
• Machine. It is installed on the site at the beginning of the season and there is no need to follow it in the future.

The system works with the help of a controller - a device the size of a palm. System at night pumps water from the water supply. During the day, the water warms up, then watering is turned on. Controls the on/off of the photocell system.

Homemade drip irrigation system

How to make with your own hands the same or similar ready-made drip irrigation system for plants? The container from which water will be supplied must be installed at a height. With a line diameter of 0.2 mm, the pressure should be about 0.2 atmospheres.

On the drawing of the future system, indicate how the micro-hoses will be located, calculate how many rows you will need and how many droppers in each row. Decide where the barrel will stand, install a filter at the outlet (only with it your system will work for a long time!).

Tools and material for work:

You can take any hose, an ordinary garden hose with a diameter of no more than 1.5 mm is also suitable. Necessary cut the hose into equal length pieces. Micro fittings, elbows, crosses, plugs, tees or plungers can be used to connect pieces of hose.

Water from one such external dropper can go in several directions. Just do not punch holes in the hose with nails. For mounting droppers, an awl or a hole punch is used. When inserting the dropper into the hose, you need to make an effort, a loose dropper will fall out during operation.

Too soft or too hard hoses will not be able to hold the drip. Instead of droppers, you can use microtubes with tips that supply water to 2-3 plants. Water enters the hose by gravity. Check how your finished irrigation system works, and now just regularly check how much water is in the barrel and clean the filter.

Drip irrigation was invented by agronomists not from a good life, it was first used in very arid and poor rainfall areas of Israel. Today, these are complex, expensive, fully automated and multifunctional systems that allow growing agricultural products on very poor soils. Moreover, due to the competent use of the latest agricultural technology, it is possible to obtain very high yields.

Not everyone can afford to buy and install such a system, and not everyone needs it. Drip irrigation can bring economic profit only to specialized farms; ordinary summer residents cannot recoup the costs. The way out is to do drip irrigation yourself. Let it not perform many of the functions that industrial designs have, but the work will be cheap. And the system will cope with the main tasks of watering normally. True, under one condition - you will have to control the irrigation parameters yourself.

Before you start building drip irrigation, you need to decide on its circuit diagram. It can be stationary perennials and mobile for one-year-olds. Each has its own disadvantages and advantages, the final choice should be made consciously.

1. Draw a sketch of the greenhouse indicating the dimensions of the structure, the size and location of the beds.

   

2. Select hose type. For water supply and preliminary wiring, it is better to use rigid plastic pipelines. Fittings will be attached to them and pipeline accessories. The wiring in the beds is carried out with flexible hoses (for the mobile version) or rigid hoses (for the stationary one).

   

3. Consider the placement of water tanks, their volume, filling method, piping layout and valve locations. The volume of water tanks is selected taking into account the size of the greenhouse, but practice shows that in any case, you should always have at least 100 liters in stock. If possible, then you can collect water from the drains of buildings in the summer cottage. Rain water is the most useful for plants, it chemical composition and temperature responds physiological needs. True, there is one limitation - the height difference between the lower level of the tank and the beds should be at least a meter. Otherwise, too little water pressure will greatly complicate the irrigation process. As a guarantee, it is desirable to ensure that the containers are filled from other independent sources at the same time.

   

4. Calculate the required number and range of spare parts. Separately flexible hoses and pipes, their diameter and length, quantity shut-off valves and specific installation locations. Must have right away connecting elements, tees and plugs. If you plan to do elementary automation in the future, it is recommended to purchase sensors and regulator blocks.

   

5. Prepare necessary tools. To create drip irrigation from scrap materials, you do not need to use special equipment and fixtures, an ordinary set of tools that every summer resident has will do.

If everything is thought out and prepared, then you can begin to build a system.

Instructions for making the simplest drip irrigation

For example, we will take the simplest option - drip irrigation individually for each plant with a flexible hose.

Step 1. Installation of water storage tanks. For these purposes, you can use plastic canisters or barrels from under various building materials. If the capacity of one is insufficient, then several should be connected in series so that the total amount of water is at least 100 liters.

The containers are connected at a distance of ≈ 5 cm above the bottom. This is to ensure that dirt does not get into the hoses. For guarantees, a special filter for water purification can be installed at the common outlet. Tanks must be raised above ground level by more than one meter. The best option- fill them with rainwater, for these purposes, you can connect downpipes.

Step 2 Installation of hoses and pipelines. Make a preliminary wiring of hoses, estimate the location of the droppers.

Practical advice. It is impossible to foresee all options for the future. In this regard, we strongly recommend that the length of the hose and the number of holes be done with a margin. If unnecessary, they can be turned off, and as soon as the need arises, the “power” of drip irrigation increases without problems.

Step 3 Install faucets and plumbing. Number of taps and additional equipment depends on the specific characteristics of drip irrigation. But all of them must ensure the full functionality of the system, smooth operation and ease of management. Practitioners are strongly advised to use the simplest cranes, they are easy to maintain, they are unpretentious in operation.

Step 4 Make drips. There are several options for solving the problem here.

1. First. Buy a ready-made sleeve in the store. It has calibrated holes, it can be laid in any place. In greenhouses, such a sleeve can serve for at least ten years, outdoors due to the influence of hard ultraviolet rays the service life is reduced to two years.
2. The second way is to make holes with a small, very hot carnation. The spacing of the holes is selected in accordance with the cultivation technology used in greenhouses. The advantages of this method are simplicity and speed of execution. Disadvantages - plants in the beds need to be planted in even rows.
3. The third way. Make holes mobile. To do this, additional small-diameter “antennae” bends are inserted into the main hose at certain distances. The length of the branches is approximately 20-30 cm on each side, the diameter is 3-4 mm. For their manufacture, you can use any plastic or rubber flexible hoses.

How withdrawals are made? Drilled into the center hose through hole, the diameter of which is 1-2 mm smaller than the diameter of the outlet hose.

Important. Holes should have as smooth edges as possible, use only a sharp drill for drilling, reduce the number of revolutions of the chuck.

Prepare the "antennae". Cut pieces about 50 cm long, bend them in half and cut a hole in one wall at the bend. The hole should not violate the strength of the hose, but should fit along the length into the inner diameter of the central conduit.

In boiling water, you should pre-heat the cut of the central hose, so you can make it much more plastic, which will make it easier to thread through the outlet holes.

Practical advice. In order to speed up the process of pushing, you can use an ordinary self-tapping screw of the desired diameter and length. Insert it into two holes on a large hose, thread a thin one a little and, holding on to the screw head, pull it through two holes. Next, you need to install the antennae in such a position that the hole made in the middle is inside the main hose. If you perform all the operations correctly, then the junction will be tight. If some connections will "undermine" is not a problem, let the beds be watered in these places.

The advantages of the "antennae" are quite significant. First, you can always change their position, taking into account the development of plants. Secondly, crops need not be planted in even rows. Practitioners advise using this particular method, even if it requires more time and effort.

Now preparatory work finished, you can connect the individual elements into a single system and start drip irrigation in action.

Drip irrigation for open area

There are almost no differences in the manufacturing method, but there are several features associated with operating conditions.

1. Usually, open areas have large area than greenhouses. In this regard, it is necessary to significantly increase the storage capacity for water. Rain won't be enough, you need to without fail consider options with water supply from an external source.
2. Hoses and pipes will be constantly in the open air. Plastic is most afraid of ultraviolet rays. This means that you need to purchase special modified resistant species. For the price they are, of course, more expensive.
3. There is a chance that during the spring or autumn frosts, the water in the hoses and pipes will freeze. It is necessary to select plastics that can work in a wide range of temperatures and at the same time maintain their declared physical characteristics. Such materials can significantly increase the linear dimensions without loss of physical strength indicators, frozen water will not cause breaks.

If the distances are very large, then you will have to connect a pump with a hydraulic accumulator to the drip irrigation system. It does its job perfectly, automatically turns on / off and maintains a constant pressure in the pipelines.

For indoor flowers

There are situations when you have to leave home for several weeks, and there is no one to ask to look after the flowers. In such cases, you can quickly make the simplest drip irrigation for them. We offer an option for simultaneous watering of several flowers, moreover, the device can be used repeatedly.

Step 1. Choose a suitable water container. The volume is calculated taking into account the number of plants and the time of watering. It could be plastic canister or a bucket large bottles from under purchased water, etc.

Step 2 Install droppers in containers. Ideal Solution– use medical systems for these purposes. They are very cheap and can last for years. Droppers can be installed in two ways.

1. Simply insert them through the top opening of the storage tank. The first drawback is that it is difficult to “start” the dropper. You will have to suck in water with your mouth until the entire hose is full, and then reduce the speed of its outflow. Second drawback. There is a possibility of the hose falling out of the container. Attempts to fix it can completely block the conditional passage.
2. At the bottom of the container make special holes and insert the hoses into them. To do this, you need to carefully drill holes with a sharp drill, the diameter should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the dropper hose. Heat the end of the hose in boiling water until softened and firmly insert into the holes. For a guarantee, after cooling, the junction can be additionally sealed with silicone or glue. It will take longer to make a dropper, but it will work automatically and very reliably.

Automatic watering system - drip

By the way, with the help of such a simple device, you can organize the feeding of flowers.

Disadvantages of drip irrigation

They, unfortunately, are, and quite significant. None of the manufacturers of drip irrigation systems mentions the disadvantages, but competent agronomists know what threatens the inept use of modern technology.

Plants are complex biological species that have their own natural laws of development, no one can change them. One of the main parts of all plants is the root system. With its help, nutrition is carried out from the soil, the more powerful the root system, the more it receives useful substances plant. Roots can develop and absorb nutrients only in moist soil, the size of the root system, depending on the type of plant, can be several meters in diameter and depth, for greenhouse plants, these parameters range from 10–20 cm. This is an axiom.

Drip irrigation - disadvantages

What does drip irrigation do?

It moistens the soil in a very limited area. As a result, the root system is oppressed, development in width and depth does not occur. And this significantly reduces its efficiency, the return of fertilizers falls. You can apply any dose to the soil, but only those that are located near the dropper in moist soil will benefit. All the rest will be useless and will only harm the soil. The only way to minimize the disadvantages is to install 3-4 droppers near each plant. But this significantly complicates the system, requires more time and money for its manufacture.

Another problem is the abundance of watering. The earth should get wet at least 10 cm deep, for this you will need to use drip irrigation for more than one hour. If the soil gets wet only a few centimeters, then the root system will not develop downward, the consequences are obvious. You can only know the watering time practically; before starting the system, preliminary measurements of the time and depth of water penetration should be carried out. Bottom line - do not rush to install droppers, there are more effective means automatic watering.

Automatic watering - photo

Video - Drip irrigation with flexible hoses

What is the system for? drip irrigation? First of all, to free the owner of the infield from the hose, which takes a lot of time and effort. The hose sometimes does not reach the right place, gets tangled or bent, it has to be dragged, damaging the plants .... All these torments helps to avoid competently organized system drip irrigation, which can be used in greenhouses, on beds in the open field, a small lawn, in flower beds.

You can install drip irrigation with your own hands, without special technical skills: all the necessary components are available in specialized stores. At self-manufacturing watering will meet your individual requirements taking into account the smallest details.

For standard solutions (irrigation of greenhouses, greenhouses or beds small size) ready-made kits are available for sale (“AquaDusya”, “Beetle”, “Harvest”, “Vodomerka and many others) with or without automatic control. .

How to make drip irrigation yourself? There are several options for its device on personal plot. For correct selection equipment, follow our recommendations.

Watering with ready-made components

1. First of all, we decide on water intake source. It can be a water supply, a well or a well. An open reservoir for organizing drip irrigation is not suitable, since the water in it will be excessively polluted, and the equipment will quickly fail.

If you plan to connect the system directly to the water supply, then there is no need to purchase a pump, however, due to the unstable water pressure, a pressure reducer may be needed.

If the source of water intake is a well or a well, then water from it is first pumped into storage capacity(barrel, eurocube). The volume of the container should correspond to the volume of water spent on one irrigation. It is calculated using the following formula:

Number of plants * water consumption per plant per hour * watering time

For example:

60 strawberry bushes * 2 l / hour * 2 hours = 240 liters are needed for one watering.

From the storage tank, water flows through the main pipeline to the drip tape or droppers.

2. What to choose: drip tape or drip tube with droppers?

Watering with drip tape is more designed for uniform plantings of plants, for example, potatoes, beets, herbs, onions, garlic. Can be used to irrigate narrow or complex shape lawn.

The drip tape is a flat thin-walled tube, inside of which there are special built-in devices for supplying water. From high unregulated pressure, the tape can break, so if the irrigation system is connected directly to the water supply, it is necessary to purchase a special reducer that regulates pressure up to 1 bar. Maximum length beds on which you can put a drip tape - 100 meters.

There are several types of tapes:

1. Slotted.

In such a tape, a labyrinth is built in along the entire length, distributing water pressure evenly. At certain distances, water outlet holes are made in the labyrinth. Slotted tape is prone to clogging, so a good filter must be installed in the drip irrigation system when using it.

2. Emitter.

Emitters are special flat droppers equipped with complex system passages (maze), built into the tape and supplying water to the plant. Emitters can be located from each other at different distances - 10, 15, 20, 30 cm. The smaller the distance between the emitters, the higher the price of the tape. The choice of distance depends on the type of crops to be irrigated. The emitter tape is more reliable than the slotted tape, and its price is generally higher.

An important parameter is the thickness of the tape, on which its strength depends. The thinnest tape will serve in the open field for only one season, it is most suitable for greenhouses.

Cons and pros of drip tape:

• it is required to install high-quality filters before supplying water to the belt
• short service life
• may break at high water pressure

• low price
• watering can work from a tank without a pump (by gravity)

- more rigid, made of HDPE and designed for self installation external droppers, available without holes. Connectors, tees and repair sleeves for drip tapes and tubes need different ones, since the diameter of the tape is measured inside, and the tubes are outside. Unlike a conventional HDPE pipe, the wall thickness of the drip pipe is smaller (from 0.8 to 1.2 mm) and its material is UV resistant. The tube withstands water pressure up to 6 bar.

Used for irregular plantings, for watering shrubs, trees, on flower beds: where it is important to water each plant bush individually. For drippers to work, high pressure water.

Droppers are connected either through thin special hoses, or directly to the drip tube - in this case, the principle of their operation is similar to a drip tape with built-in droppers.

Some droppers provide for regulation of the volume of water poured out, such droppers are called adjustable.

Types of droppers:

Compensated

Provide uniform watering with a long tape length, as well as in areas with a slope. They work well only at a certain water pressure, therefore they are not used when watering from a tank by gravity. Less sensitive to water contaminated with small particles.

Uncompensated

These droppers are used for flat areas without a slope, with a small length of the drip tape. Suitable for watering from a container, as they can work at low water pressure.

Droppers-pegs used for spot irrigation, as they are installed directly in the root zone of the plant.

Pros and cons of droppers

• installation step is self-selected
• outlet volume can be adjusted

• higher price
• adjustable drippers are time consuming to set up and clean

Output: if you need to organize the irrigation of crops such as onions, potatoes, beets, carrots, garlic, radishes, lawn grass, and a storage tank serves as a source of irrigation water - choose a drip tape. In the presence of a pressure reducer, drip tape can also be used when watering from a water supply system.

If drip irrigation is necessary for adjustable, individual for each plant (flowers, shrubs, trees, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants), and the water supply source provides sufficient working water pressure, choose droppers with micro-supply hoses.

Watch a video illustrating the use of drip irrigation using one of the ready-made systems as an example:

3. We purchase the necessary components.

1. Pump. Required to supply water from a well or well to a storage tank or directly to the main hose of the system when installing a pressure reducer.

2. . For irrigation by "gravity" in the absence of a connection to the water supply, the container must be raised to a height of 50 cm to 2 meters to create the necessary working water pressure. If it is not possible to set the barrel at the required height, you can use submersible pump, connecting to it automation to adjust the irrigation system. In this case, it is important to observe all the parameters of the water pressure in the system and monitor the water level, for example, using a transparent hose, in order to protect the pump from running dry. The main hose is connected to the container with the help of a special coupling.

3.Hoses. To connect to a water source, a main hose or pipe with a diameter of 13.16 or 19 mm is required.

Connect to this hose drip tapes or smaller pipes. For droppers, you may need thin supply hoses with a diameter of 4-7 mm.

4. pressure reducer. Helps regulate and maintain required pressure for the proper operation of water outlets.

Reducers up to 1 bar - used for drip tape.

Reducers from 1 to 2.8 bar - used for irrigation with a drip tube with external droppers.

5. Drip irrigation filter. It is used to purify water from pollution, it is necessary when taking water from a well or a well.

6.Drip tape, drip tube, droppers, microtubes. The choice of these components depends on the purpose and purpose of drip irrigation.

7. Fitting. Required for various connections:

• start connectors - with their help, the drip tape is attached to the central line
• faucets - combine the functions of a strat connector and a faucet, provide zone-by-zone irrigation
• repair couplings - needed to repair the tape when it breaks
• corners and tees - useful for creating branches and turns
• racks - press the tape to the ground, protecting it from displacement during gusts of wind

8. Plugs. Needed to seal the end of a tape or hose.

9. Mounting tools.

A piercer or punch is needed to make holes in the "blind" hose for connecting droppers.

10.Irrigation control automation.

Timers (mechanical or electronic), controllers (powered or battery operated), weather sensors, solenoid valves. With the help of timers and controllers, the regularity and duration of irrigation is set, and its process is fully automated. The correct operation of the system depends on the quality of the equipment, so you should not save on automation. Installing automatic control watering, do not forget about the rain sensor, which will turn off the system during rainfall.

If there are several heterogeneous irrigation zones, along with the controller, it is necessary to purchase solenoid valves that connect the main line and drip irrigation lines. The program will initially include one zone to water through solenoid valve and then another.

DIY drip irrigation system: the simplest option installation using a storage tank.

1. We connect a pump to the water intake source to fill the tank with water.
2. We install the container at a height of 0.5-2 meters from the ground, to it at a distance of 10-15 cm from the bottom we connect the main hose with a tap and a filter.
3. We lay the main hose perpendicular to the drip irrigation tapes, install a plug at its end.
4. We drill holes in the main hose with a drill according to the number of drip irrigation lines, we connect the lines using start connectors or taps.
5. We lay out the drip tape or tube with water outlets up.
6. If it is necessary to attach droppers to the tube, we make holes in it using a special punch, insert the supply micro-hoses and connect the droppers to them.
7. We close the end of the tapes with plugs, having previously driven water through the system so that all the air comes out of it.

Scheme of installation of drip irrigation using an automatic controller

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles

The simplest watering for a greenhouse can be organized without financial costs for special components, using improvised means.

It is very easy to make drip irrigation from plastic bottles with their own hands, for which containers from under various drinks are suitable.

Near the bush of a plant that needs watering, a plastic bottle is dug in, with the cork up. Several holes are made in its bottom through which water will slowly flow into the soil. The container is filled with water through the neck, then the cork is slightly screwed to reduce evaporation. The disadvantages of this method of irrigation include the rapid clogging of holes and its unsuitability for heavy soils that do not absorb water well.

Plastic bottles can not be dug into the ground, but hung above the plants on a wire with their neck down at a distance of 5-10 cm from the ground. A hole is made in the neck, into which an empty cut rod is inserted from ballpoint pen through which water reaches the roots of the plant.

If you make a hole in the bottom and insert a medical dropper for intravenous infusions into it, then, firstly, the water supply can be regulated, and secondly, it will fall exactly under the root of the plant. The hole can be smeared with sealant so that water does not leak.

Drip irrigation from medical droppers

With polypropylene garden hose and medical droppers for intravenous infusion can be built the simplest system for drip irrigation. Holes are made in the hose with an awl or drill, into which tubes from droppers are then inserted. The holes are sealed, the watering speed is adjusted by the wheel on the device.

Care of the drip irrigation system

For the winter, it is necessary to turn off all the equipment and place it in a heated room, since from the action low temperatures hoses and drip tapes can crack. It is better to wind hoses and tapes on special reels so that there are no creases.

A do-it-yourself drip irrigation device will allow you to reduce the cost of specialist services and choose the optimal irrigation scheme for your needs.

Drip irrigation can turn a desert into an oasis. Do-it-yourself drip irrigation system equipment for summer residents and farmers traditionally justifies itself, since the costs of its creation are incommensurable with the results - obtaining a crop that will not take long.

In addition to watering plants by hand from a watering can, there are several methods of irrigation. These include the following irrigation methods: sprinkling, i.e. spraying water from above through a sprayer - this method widely used for watering lawns and flower beds; subsoil (using a system of special porous pipes and hoses) - used for irrigating perennial garden plants that require painstaking care, as well as for watering hedges; using a drip irrigation system that transports water directly to the root zone of plants, which ensures rapid absorption. Such a system is very effective for growing crops, in particular vegetables. Benefits of drip irrigation Drip irrigation is considered to be the most effective method of irrigation. The drip irrigation system includes the following elements: main distributing (main) pipes; a plastic tape equipped with calibrated holes through which water flows directly to the roots of plants. The following advantages of drip irrigation technology can be distinguished: How to make a drip irrigation system with your own hands To create a drip irrigation system on the site does not require special pre-acquired skills, various schemes drip irrigation can be easily found on the Internet. You will need to purchase some raw materials, as well as spend several hours on arranging such a system. But labor costs for organizing irrigation will be significantly reduced, and the efficiency of water consumption will also increase. The source that supplies water for drip irrigation in a greenhouse, garden or vegetable garden can be central system water supply, as well as other sources - a well, a closed reservoir or a container that needs to be periodically filled with water. The second option is more convenient for controlling water consumption - if the owner needs to go somewhere for a few days, you can leave the watering turned on without much concern. For watering small plots, it is quite possible to do without a central pipeline - according to reviews, a barrel of water is enough to irrigate a ten-meter bed for five days. Selection and installation of drippers for irrigation For a site with difficult terrain, as well as long rows of beds, it is recommended to use rigid or thick-walled tubes with built-in droppers. External droppers produce several types: with a fixed amount of water - passing a constant amount of water for a certain period of time; adjustable - their design allows you to manually adjust the intensity of irrigation. Keep in mind that when using adjustable drippers, watering pressure may drop towards the end of a long row; uncompensated - in them, the intensity of irrigation depends on the pressure in the pipes, decreasing towards the end of the row. Such droppers are suitable for beds of small length; compensated - equipped with a silicone membrane, which, in the event of a decrease in water pressure below a certain indicator, is closed by a special valve. The working pressure of such droppers is in the range of 0.4-3.5 atm. They produce compensated droppers, designed to pass water in quantities of 2.4 and 8 l / h; spider-type droppers - equipped with several watering outlets, which is very convenient for irrigating the root system from different sides, or for watering several plants. To install external droppers, you will need to make a hole with smooth edges with a diameter of 0.3 mm in the tubes with an awl or punching scissors. Immediately after piercing, the dropper is inserted into the hole; to improve fixation, the pipe must be warmed up during installation - a regular hair dryer will do. Necessary materials and tools To organize drip irrigation you will need the following materials and tools: polyethylene pipes (HDPE) with a diameter of about 40 mm (you can use a regular garden hose); pipe cap; cleaning filter - choose a removable mesh construction which will be easy to wash. You will need to do this often enough, otherwise the entire drip irrigation system may become clogged; shut-off valves (ball and dispensing valves, couplings, detachable connections, spurs, as well as adapters, corners and plugs); drip irrigation tape (polyethylene tube with a diameter of 16-20 mm with built-in or external droppers); awl; drill and drills; tow; rubber seals; silicone sealant; pliers (pliers). Arrangement works homemade system do-it-yourself drip irrigation is recommended to be carried out on a plot in spring period before the start of the field season. Preparatory work: planning First of all, it is necessary to draw a diagram indicating the beds on it, plan the daily water consumption for each of the irrigation zones, and also consider the placement of the irrigation system elements - water tanks, pipes, shutoff equipment, drip tapes. After determining the required amount of materials and purchases made, you can proceed directly to the installation of the irrigation system. When planning an irrigation system, it should be taken into account that if the system is located on a site located on a slope, the main pipes are placed horizontally, and the drip hoses are inclined. In addition, pipes used for irrigation, laid on the ground, must be opaque (light-tight) to prevent water blooms and further clogging of the system. In the case of a water supply system deepened into the soil, pipes with thickened walls are selected. The amount of water used and the irrigation rate will depend on the water pressure. If you raise the tank 1.5 m above the ground, then the resulting pressure will allow you to start the irrigation process. It is recommended to make a hole for connecting to a water tank at a height of about 10 cm from the bottom level so that debris that accumulates at the bottom of the tank does not get into the irrigation system along with water. It is not recommended to use metal containers for water, as even small spots of rust can subsequently cause clogging of the holes in the irrigation system. The sequence of work on the equipment of the irrigation system For the manufacture of an irrigation system, you will need to perform the following work: apply markings in one plane on the main pipes - in places where holes for connection with a drip tape will be placed (corresponding to row spacings); having fixed the pipe with a vice, it is necessary to make holes in it with a drill with a diameter necessary for a tight connection (corresponding to the diameter of the components). Seals and fittings are inserted into them; then the pipe should be connected to a source of water supply (water supply or garden capacity), and also install a plug at the end of the pipe section; further to main pipe attach drip tapes with pre-installed droppers and lay them out in the beds. The ends of the tape should be made airtight by installing plugs, fixing with wire or “gluing” with heat and pliers. Please note that before use, it is recommended to rinse installed equipment, and also clean the installed filters at least once a week (if possible, it is recommended to carry out such a procedure daily). Liquid or water-soluble fertilizers are applied directly through the irrigation system - after this procedure, it is necessary to rinse the water tank and start short-term irrigation to clean the system. The drip irrigation system is quite convenient to use, it works properly at low water pressure. After the end of the season, the irrigation system must be disassembled, washed, and moisture removed from it (drained). After waiting for drying, the irrigation system should be carefully folded (the hoses are easily wound on a reel) and stored together with other household supplies. DIY drip irrigation - video

There are several reasons why gardeners are unwilling or unable to purchase ready system irrigation of 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, as a result of which the likelihood of diseases is significantly reduced, since medicines are not washed off the leaves.

Soil erosion prevention. This method of irrigation makes affordable opportunity irrigation on slopes or topographically difficult areas. Don't have to build complex structures or move 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 residents 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 on 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 irrigation.

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

Design for bottle irrigation 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. Coat the junction of the rod and cover with sealant to excess fluid didn't get in the garden.

№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. Internal organization 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 everything at hand. necessary materials and toolkit.

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 in different fasteners for details. 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 plant nutrition. 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

Name 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 on garden plot, you will need the following:

• Hoses and pipes 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.

Can be accumulated rain water from the roof, it remains only to think over the 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

Just recently, only experienced gardeners with "hands where needed." 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 standard system drip irrigation 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 that are used for docking individual elements designs. 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 - very handy 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 a scheme 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.