In today's episode, we will look at the drip irrigation system. All gardeners know that plants need moisture for normal growth. Yes, of course... you can run a hose into the greenhouse or garden beds, but such a procedure requires additional time and money.

By the way. About greenhouses and the variety of greenhouses

Now, during a period of unstable economic situation in the country, people are trying to maintain their family budget and reduce all kinds of expenses. Saving not only in order to make a watering system from scrap materials, but also, above all, in order to save on water and as a result get a rich harvest.

That is why you can take care of the crop using drip irrigation. And to be honest, this is a new trend!

The system can be made independently, and it will not require large financial expenses. In addition, installation is quite simple, so any summer resident can easily cope with this task.

If you do not properly supply water to a plot of land, you may encounter uneven distribution of moisture. Water will be absorbed, mainly only by the first plants due to the pressure in the hose.

A significant advantage of this system is that only the roots of the plant are moistened, while the soil and leaves remain dry, which helps avoid sunburn. In addition, such watering prevents the rapid growth of weeds.

Experts note that gardeners can save up to 80% on water consumption. At the same time, all plants receive a sufficient amount of moisture necessary for normal growth.

To make such a system on your site, you need to place a container with clean water on a flat surface at a height of 1 m. After this, install the necessary elements and begin irrigation.

Irrigation system maintenance:

• If possible, the container should be filled only with clean water.
• Clean filters regularly.
• Before surveying work, flush the pipes.
• To avoid clogging the system, it is recommended to use only liquid fertilizers.
• With the onset of autumn, dismantle all drip irrigation parts.

If you follow these simple rules, the system can be used for several seasons.

How to make drip irrigation with your own hands without high costs?

The system of such plant watering was developed in arid regions in the last century. Today, manufacturers offer expensive and complex irrigation systems. Therefore, not every gardener can afford to buy it. But you can do it yourself. In this case, the system will perform fewer functions compared to industrial analogues, but if used correctly, it will effectively water the plants.

The easiest option is to use a flexible hose for each plant. First of all, you need to install a barrel or canister with a volume of more than 100 liters. The container must be installed at a height of at least 1 m. If you install drainpipes, the container will always be filled when it rains.

To avoid dirt getting into the hoses, they are installed at a height of at least 5 cm from the bottom of the container. Before this, you need to do the wiring and decide on the locations of the droppers.

It is impossible to make accurate calculations, so it is recommended to make the number of holes in the hose and the length with a small margin. If they are unnecessary, they can be easily disabled.

At the next stage, you need to make the wiring and install the taps, the number of which depends on the characteristics of the system. It is enough to purchase the simplest options; they will be enough to perform basic functions.

How to perform IVs?

To do this, you can use one of the methods:

• Buy a special sleeve from a farm store with holes.
• Heat the nail and make the required number of holes.
• Insert small bends, up to 30 cm long, into the main hose. A rubber or plastic hose is suitable for this.

Make holes using a drill to avoid ragged edges. And preheat the main hose in hot water.

After this, you need to connect all the elements into a complete system, then make the first launch and check its effect.

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles?

Using ordinary plastic bottles with a volume of 1.5-2 liters, you can make a simple watering system. Several holes must be made in the lid of each vessel, the diameter of which should not exceed 2 mm.

Small holes can be made using a heated nail. You can also purchase special pegs that fit onto the neck of a plastic bottle.

Cut the bottom of the plastic bottle to avoid evaporation of moisture. Then dig a hole to a depth of approximately 15 cm and insert the bottle there at an angle of 45 degrees. At this stage you need to be careful not to damage the roots of the plants.

Fill the container with water, which will flow to the root system through the holes made. In addition, using drip irrigation with plastic bottles, you can fertilize plants with liquid solutions.

This simple system will feed the sprouts for several days. This method is suitable for summer residents who do not have the opportunity to water their garden daily.

Drip irrigation from polypropylene pipes

Unlike metal pipes, polypropylene analogues have great advantages. In addition, the material is quite cheap and suitable for assembling a drip irrigation system.

Before assembly, you need to prepare the following:

• Container with a volume of 100 l. The water will heat up under the influence of sunlight, which has a beneficial effect on the plants.
• Ball valve.
• Filter for water purification. Otherwise, the system will quickly fail.
• Container for nutritious fertilizers.
• Pipeline
• Bends made of polypropylene pipes or special tapes, which are connected using special tees.

To determine the size of the materials, you need to mark the land. To water 1 m2 you will need about 30 liters of liquid per day, depending on the type of planting. You also need to calculate the number of taps and the distance between installed droppers.

To ensure the required pressure, it is recommended to install the container at a height of 1-2 m. This will be enough to provide irrigation of 50 m2. The container is installed on a strong and level support.

The tap is installed in a hole made in a container of water, at a height of 10 cm from the bottom. On the other side, make a connection to the country water supply. To ensure that the container is filled to a certain level, it is recommended to use a valve with a float.

Special scissors are used to cut polypropylene pipes for bends. You can also use a construction knife or a hacksaw.

Pipes can be secured to fittings by cold welding, soldering or crimping. The most reliable option is soldering; for this you will need a special tool with attachments.

Polypropylene material is connected to the main line on the surface or at a depth of 75 cm. The filter is installed directly to the tank. Make a plug at the end of the main pipe.

The next step is to make IVs. To do this, make the required number of holes in the outlet. It is also necessary to install a plug at the end of the outlet pipe.

At the last stage of assembling the system, you need to connect the water supply to a container with water, fill it, and start drip irrigation.

Or is it better to buy a drip irrigation system in an online store?

As you can see from the examples above, making your own watering system is not at all difficult. But if your financial condition allows, you can order it in the online store. Today there are many companies that sell components via the Internet.

In this case, you can purchase a ready-made kit at a price of 1,000 – 4,000. The cost depends on the functionality. If the system operates in automatic mode, then the summer resident can practically not participate in the watering process.

Therefore, each person chooses to make the equipment with his own hands, and he will need to buy the necessary components or take advantage of the offers of online stores.

The main guarantee that there will be high yields of fruits, berries, vegetables and rapid growth of flowers in a summer cottage, vegetable garden or garden can be safely called high-quality watering. Among the common irrigation options, one of the first places is a drip or spot irrigation system. Its main advantages include accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

Drip irrigation: convenient and beautiful

Plus, compared to traditional irrigation methods using hoses and sprayers, drip irrigation provides half the water consumption. Note that modern technologies make it possible to make the water supply system fully automated. To do this, simply enter the required time parameters and water supply period into the irrigation control unit program.

It is possible to set up drip irrigation in your garden with your own hands even without special knowledge. You just need to understand the principle of operation of the structure using the diagrams and photos of this article. Read also:

Types of drip irrigation

There are various drip irrigation systems, and among several options the three most popular are:

1. Drip hose. The basic component is a pipe with thick walls, most often polyethylene. Such pipes are designed for pressures of up to 3 atmospheres, which makes it possible to supply water over hundreds of meters. Emitters or droppers are located in the wall of the hose with the same period, designed for a specific water flow. As a rule, it ranges from 1 to 2 liters per hour. To install such a system, plastic fittings are used. It is also possible to dismantle the structure for the winter season.
2. Drip tape. A flexible tube with thin walls, the thickness of which is 0.12-0.6 mm, is connected directly to the main hose. Its internal diameter in most cases is 16 or 22mm. Installation and assembly is carried out using fittings and connectors with standard sizes of 1/2 and 3/4 inches. Such belts can reach hundreds of meters in length and are capable of passing up to 500 liters per hour.
3. External micro-drippers with specific water flow. They can be nozzles and sprinklers of various models. They provide watering in the form of drops or micro-jets. Some designs provide adjustment of watering intensity. The location of the droppers is on the outside of the pipes or on tubular branches. It is also possible to install it on a regular hose, on which droppers with self-piercing fittings can be placed in the required places.

Drip irrigation by gravity without a pump

Supplying water under the influence of gravity without a pump is one of the options for drip irrigation. This system provides for a storage tank. It can be an ordinary barrel or another tank. The storage tank is filled with tap water or from a natural reservoir. Sometimes settled rainwater is used.

A feature of the drip irrigation system is that it can be clogged by living organisms and small vegetation of reservoirs and debris.

Thus, water is not suitable from any body of water, and the surface of the tank must be resistant to corrosion and destruction. A barrel made of plastic, synthetics or galvanized iron are the most suitable options for water intake containers. To prevent leaves or debris from getting into the barrel, it must have a lid.

The size of the barrel depends on the consumption of water resources. The volume must be sufficient to provide the necessary watering. According to consumption standards, cabbage requires 2.5 liters per day, potatoes - 2 liters, and a tomato bush - 1.5 liters. As a result, the owner of a summer house or garden needs to individually calculate the daily consumption, in accordance with the number of seedlings and trees. Knowledge of this data will also be useful when choosing an irrigation system.

Watering is carried out due to water pressure in a barrel raised above the ground

To ensure water pressure in the system of 0.1-0.2 atmospheres, the tank must be located at a height of 1-2 meters above the ground. It is important to monitor the purity of the water coming from the barrel. To prevent accumulated debris from entering the hose, the drain hole should be placed 100mm above the bottom of the tank. This design also requires a mesh or other filter. Irrigation systems with gravity flow are designed for low pressure, as a result of which only uncompensated drippers are suitable for them, since compensated ones maintain the pressure of the water flow constant at excess pressure.

If you plan to use herbicides and fertilizers, it is worthwhile to provide a separate fertigation unit in the system for diluting liquid forms of preparations. After each procedure, the irrigation system requires cleaning. To do this, it is necessary for the system filled with clean water to operate for several minutes. The filter also needs periodic cleaning. It must be done weekly.

Rules for installation and maintenance of a drip irrigation system

The assembly of an irrigation system in a country house or garden should be done in a certain sequence, following a number of simple rules:

1. They begin to install the irrigation system from the water intake unit. Power can be supplied from a water supply, reservoir, well, well or special tank. When installing a water tank, you will need an outlet with an external thread and a tap with a 3/4-inch internal thread.
2. If the water contains impurities and large particles, a mesh or disk filter must be provided.
3. Next, the mixing unit is installed. It saturates the water with chemicals and fertilizers or supplies nutrients. The fertigation unit is a reservoir where the appropriate preparations are diluted, which is connected to the irrigation system using a tube with a dispenser in the required location.
4. For the installation of the main pipeline, plastic pipes made of HDPE with a diameter starting from 32 mm or polypropylene pipes are used. In principle, any pipes that meet the requirements of the system are suitable.
5. The next stage is installation of the distribution network. Micropipes or watering drip tapes are laid out in irrigated areas.

During the installation process, fittings are required: connectors and fittings, tees and angles.

Fertilizer application in a drip irrigation system

When creating a drip irrigation system with your own hands, it is worth considering some nuances:

1. The main pipe should be laid at an angle of 90 degrees to the rows of beds. This will make it convenient to connect branches.
2. A plug installed at the end of the pipe of the pipeline itself will help to avoid contamination of the irrigation system. It must be removed during the cleaning of the irrigation line.
3. Having drilled holes in the pipe of the tape structure, the first thing you need to do is screw on the start - the corrector, on which to tightly put the tape. The tape itself must be plugged at the opposite end in order to achieve a tight seal and be able to wash and blow through its clogged areas. This can be done using a 1cm wide ring cut from the ribbon, which will fit tightly on its folded end.

Use of polypropylene pipes

Nothing prevents you from building drip irrigation with your own hands from polypropylene pipes. This option of drip irrigation from plastic pipes has many advantages. These pipes are strong, flexible and characterized by low density. Polypropylene pipes are quite resistant to hydraulic shocks and temperature changes.

Modern additives allow the walls of polypropylene pipes to remain undamaged when exposed to ultraviolet rays. The pipe is not damaged if the water in the system freezes, unless it is completely filled. In addition, installing drip irrigation from polypropylene pipes yourself will cost less than from HDPE, since the cost of components for welding is lower than prefabricated structures with threads.

Scheme of drip irrigation from polypropylene pipes

Pipes made from this material are suitable for creating a main pipeline and for a distribution network with drippers. In the latter case, holes can be drilled in the right places. The diameter is selected in practice with a fully installed system.

Of course, when working with plastic pipes there are also disadvantages:

1. Using a special soldering iron.
2. The system cannot be disassembled for winter or for cleaning.
3. Compared to HDPE, polypropylene pipes are less resistant to freezing of water in the structure. For this reason, the entire system must be purged with a compressor before winter.

Types of drip tapes

Since we have decided to build drip irrigation with our own hands in our country house or garden, we need to choose the right watering tape. The choice of type of belt device is determined by the specific conditions on your site. There are three main types of tapes:

• with a labyrinth;
• slot type;
• emitter

The type of drip tape is indicated on the marking

In the first case, there is a built-in element on the surface of the tube - a labyrinth. This structural feature makes it possible to slow down the water flow in the tape trunk and streamline the flow of water through the holes. Unfortunately, the external location of the labyrinth means that there is a great danger of damaging it during the process of laying the tape.

Holes in slot-type tapes for water to flow out are made using a laser at intervals of 20 to 100 cm. A labyrinth is built inside along its entire length to prevent turbulence in the movement of water. The tape must be installed with the labyrinth facing up. This helps water flow out evenly through the holes. This is the easiest option to organize watering, which does not require significant expenses. The only thing worth remembering when choosing a slot type is the need for high-quality filtration.

A distinctive feature of the emitter type is the presence of additional holes built into flat droppers that face inward. The idea is that the droppers are located on the inner, rather than the outer, surface of the wall, as a result of which turbulent movement of water occurs inside the tape. Thanks to it, the droppers self-clean.

Also, when choosing a tape, the wall thickness is important. If laying underground is planned, the thickness of the tape should be 0.2 mm. In the case of arranging drip irrigation on the surface of the ground, a tube with a thinner wall thickness is suitable.

Self-installation of a drip system

Below is a diagram of how to independently assemble drip irrigation in your garden at home. An example would be equipping a plot of 150 m2 with irrigation with 10 rows of planted strawberries, the length of which is 12 meters.

For a homemade system you will need a drip tape 110-140m long. When emitters or perforations are located every 30 cm, the throughput of the system will be about 4 liters per hour. The approximate pressure without using a pump is 0.1 atmosphere, to maintain which the irrigation system tank must be placed 1 meter above the ground. It is impossible to create a water pressure of 1 atmosphere, since in this case it would be necessary to raise the water tank to a ten-meter height. As a result of insufficient pressure, the throughput drops three times - to 1.3 liters per hour. As a result, watering time triples.

Drip irrigation of strawberries is the right decision

A sequential scheme of actions for creating drip irrigation with your own hands:

1. Connect the tap to the tank fitting, and then install the filter.
2. Using a coupling, the distribution pipe is connected and laid perpendicular to the irrigation beds. If the area is less than 300m2, a 32mm pipe will do. The pipe itself must be laid parallel to the horizon, and the irrigation tapes must be laid with a slope. The end of the pipe on the opposite side of the section must be closed with a removable plug or a valve installed to facilitate preventive flushing.
3. Opposite the strawberry beds you need to drill a pipe, screw on fittings with gaskets or install taps. The latter will ensure separate shutdown of each irrigation branch if necessary. You can also connect pipes that were originally equipped with start connectors.
4. Lay emitter tapes along the entire strawberry bed. One end of the tube should be put on the fitting and the other should be plugged.
5. When using a common dripper for watering several bushes, you should attach minifold splitters in the form of tubes to it and place them near the roots of the plantings.

An example of a drip irrigation installation from a central water supply system

This capacity will last a long time

Before installing drip irrigation from the central water supply network, you should choose how the structure will be connected to the water supply. Direct connection to the valve or connection via a storage tank is possible.

The pressure in the municipal water supply is normally 4 atmospheres, but taking into account its surges and water hammer, this figure can range from 2 to 7.5. Considering the fact that for drip irrigation, tapes with low operating pressure (about 0.2-1.5 atmospheres) are usually used, in order to avoid rupture of the system due to strong water pressure, a reducer is installed between the tap and the central pipe, which reduces the pressure.

Another way to reduce the pressure to the required numbers is to use a storage tank that has a bypass valve. It is filled with water to a specifically set level, which is controlled by a valve, regulating the water supply. From there, water enters the system by gravity through a fitting at the bottom of the tank. If you create a watering system with your own hands, you can use a standard valve from a toilet tank as a bypass valve.

The filter in drip irrigation is a necessary element of the system

Step-by-step instructions for one of the simple options for installing drip irrigation in a country house or garden:

1. Assembling the filtration unit. It consists of 2 filters, namely: a dirt filter and a fine filter. The filters are connected to each other by a coupling, connectors are screwed onto them, after which the entire assembly is connected to the main hose.
2. A hose with a diameter of 20 mm is laid along the central path. It must be cut near all beds, so a sequence of individual segments is formed.
3. The resulting pieces of hose must be connected to each other through tees with one 15mm outlet for further wiring.
4. Drip tapes are attached to the tees, which can be secured with metal clamps. The free ends of the tapes must be twisted and secured with plastic clamps, and the hose must be connected using a 20-15 adapter.

Installation of a drip system using a pump

The pump can be used in a drip irrigation system either to fill an irrigation tank or to increase the pressure in the system itself. In the first case, the scheme of work is almost no different from the above for watering from a water supply. In this case, you will need a water level sensor in the container, which will turn off the pump as it fills.

You can make the sensor yourself by connecting a limit switch to the valve from the toilet tank. However, turning on and off the pump will not occur simultaneously as a result of “bouncing” of the switch contacts, which can damage the pump. The control circuit will have to be supplemented with a timer, which is sold in an electrical goods store. All issues can be easily resolved if you purchase a ready-made pumping station.

In the absence of running water, watering is organized using a pump

If a pump is used to increase the pressure in a drip irrigation system with a large water flow rate, it is possible to use a reducer or special compensated drippers in conjunction with a pipeline that can withstand the pressure created by the pump. In this case, it is very important to choose a pump that will provide the necessary water flow with some reserve. Read also.

All gardeners know how important watering the garden is. However, watering a garden is a rather labor-intensive process; for this reason, today gardeners and summer residents are interested in how to make drip irrigation.

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

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

Device for giving

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

In this situation, a siphon can be an arc-shaped pipe installed vertically, with one end connected to a tank filled with water, and the other end connected to a pipeline.

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

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

As an example, we can consider watering shrubs, for which a ring irrigation structure is created, and a rectangular irrigation system from a standard pipeline is excellent for vegetable plantings.

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

The valve will operate if a recess is created on the tank lid for rain, which acts as a weight. The rain catch valve works on the same principle as the toilet cistern flush system.

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

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

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

Automatic design

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

How to make drip irrigation for your dacha automatic?

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

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

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

Note!

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

However, when organizing an automated design, as in the photo of drip irrigation, it is necessary to take into account some design features.

Thus, there are cases when there is excess water in the nearest area, but no water has arrived in the farthest area. In addition, there are situations when powerful water pressure, when pumped, leads to waterlogging.

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

A so-called drip irrigation from bottles is formed, the effect of which is similar to the operation of a toilet flush barrel.

Note!

This design element will provide you with the rate of liquid flow into each bed, and individually to each root of the seedling.

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

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

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

DIY drip irrigation photo

Note!

In order for plants to thrive in the garden or greenhouse, they need to be provided with good lighting and proper, even watering. Therefore, every gardener tries to create the most comfortable conditions for all representatives of the flora that grow on the site. And if everything is more or less clear, then what about watering? You've probably heard more than once that simply pouring water from a hose is harmful to plants. That is why many people are thinking about a more gentle type of moisture supply to crops. A do-it-yourself drip irrigation system is quite simple to make, but there are a huge number of advantages from using it.

What is drip irrigation, how to turn it into a “system” and what advantages can it have? Before we answer these questions, let’s figure out why heavy watering with a hose is so harmful to plants. Most people are even willing to water the plantings manually from jars rather than use a hose.

And all because:

• the pressure of the jet from the hose erodes the soil around the stem and roots of plants, which crops really don’t like;
• the soil around the plants receives too much water, which negatively affects the process of natural aeration - the air that the roots need is simply pushed out of the soil by water;
• If you water the garden with a hose, the water consumption will be very high; this indicator is extremely important for those garden plots where water is brought by water tankers, but for some reason there is no water supply system and wells;
• Because of excess moisture in the soil, plants begin to grow poorly, become sick, their roots rot, and eventually the plantings die.

These are the main reasons why many gardeners are increasingly thinking about installing a drip irrigation system in their summer cottage. Drip irrigation is truly a win-win option for both greenhouses and open ground. It is a system of water hoses, which are connected at one end to a reservoir of water, and with many other ends of the branches dug into the ground right next to the root system of each plant individually. That is, many thin hoses are necessarily diverted from the main, main one, and each goes to a separate plant.

On a note! Such a system can be equipped for absolutely any crop. But most often, summer residents provide drip irrigation for peppers and other, more capricious plants.

As a rule, such a system cannot be universal for every garden. Typically, a separate drip irrigation plan is drawn up for each site. It will indicate all the plantings that need a gentle supply of water, and all hoses will be laid in accordance with this plan. This is probably the main drawback of the drip irrigation system - you can’t just go to the store and buy the first kit you come across for installing this device. By the way, that’s why many people do everything with their own hands.

Benefits of drip irrigation

1. Water is supplied directly to the root of the plant without affecting the stem, which means it does not expose the crop to the risk of plant diseases associated with excessive moisture.

The soil around the plant is not clogged with moisture and breathes, providing the crop with the necessary amount of air.

The surrounding soil is constantly and evenly moistened.

The soil around the plant roots will not be compacted, but loose.

Drip irrigation is much closer in quality to natural irrigation.

The soil around the plant stem is not washed away - erosion processes do not occur.

Water flows to the plant slowly but constantly - there is absolutely no risk of drying out.

Using a drip irrigation system, it is convenient to add fertilizers to the soil, which go directly to the roots of the plant.

The amount of water spent on irrigation will be significantly reduced.

Due to all of the above, the plants will grow and bear fruit better, and in the fall you will reap an excellent harvest.

On a note! It was with the help of the drip irrigation system that it was once possible to turn dried-up Israel into a blooming oasis, in which gardening is now widely developed. So drip irrigation is time-tested.

Most likely, after reading the beginning of the article, you are inspired and are already thinking about going to the store for a drip irrigation system. But don’t rush: first, first you need to draw up an irrigation plan and use it to calculate how many meters of hoses you will need. And secondly, drip irrigation is faster and easier to do with your own hands.

Prices for drip irrigation systems

drip irrigation system

What can drip irrigation be made from?

Knowing the basic principle of operation of a drip irrigation system, it will not be difficult for an imaginative gardener to come up with what this device can be made of. The system typically consists of a large water tank mounted on an elevated surface. A long main hose is connected to it in the lower part using taps, to which, in accordance with the irrigation scheme, hoses with a smaller cross-section are connected through fittings. And the ends of small water conduits are dug directly under the root of each plant or fixed so that the moisture from them drips directly along the stem onto the ground.

On a note! It’s good if you take care of the presence of a filter in the irrigation system. The fact is that various debris can get into the water (if the tank is open), which will quickly render the hoses unusable by clogging them. Everything will have to be redone to make the system work again.

This is what a drip irrigation system looks like. It can be complicated and equipped with a controller, or, conversely, simplified.

Table. Ideas for a DIY Drip Irrigation System.

Material	Description
	The most familiar and understandable way. You will need a thick watering hose and thin water conduits with a diameter approximately the same as the air supply hose of a conventional pump for wheels and balls. The entire system is connected, as in the case of industrial installation, using fittings.
	There can be two scenarios here - the bottles can be hung near the plants or dug into the ground. In the first case, they are equipped with droppers, in the second, a lot of holes are made in them, and the upper part is cut off. The system is inconvenient because you have to add water to the bottles.
	It is very easy to make drip irrigation from this material. Droppers are an affordable material; they can be purchased at a pharmacy or asked from a medical professional you know.

The device looks like this: a plastic bottle with small diameter holes is dug in near each individual plant in the greenhouse. The bottle is filled with water, which seeps through small holes and nourishes the roots of the plants.

There are also many modifications of the listed ideas that can be improved or, conversely, simplified. Let's consider creating a drip irrigation system from conventional medical droppers.

Materials for a dripper irrigation system

Where does the installation of an irrigation system begin? And it begins with developing an irrigation scheme and acquiring the necessary materials. The plan should reflect the complete layout of your site, and not just show the location of the house and greenhouse, but also show all the garden plantings. But this is the case if you decide to equip your entire garden with a drip irrigation system. To equip an irrigation system for a small plot - for example, three strawberry beds - it will be enough to draw up a detailed diagram of these same beds. The diagram also indicates the location where the water tank will be installed.

On a note! Try to transfer the most accurate dimensions to the drawing - this will simplify the calculation of the amount of materials needed. Measure everything with a tape measure.

Materials needed to make a drip irrigation system:

• water tank- as a rule, this is a large plastic tank; It is better not to use metal, as it will begin to rust over time, and rust particles will clog thin hoses, which will lead to damage to the entire system; in this case, the tank must be opaque, otherwise the water will quickly bloom;
• main pipe- it is best to use plastic, as it will last longer; the tube will be connected to a water tank, you can also use a hose;
• medical droppers in an amount equal to the number of bushes that need watering;
• ball valve, opening the flow of water;
• filter, ensuring the purity of the water entering the droppers;
• fitting for branching hoses;
• stub for main hose.

On a note! The water tank must be located at a certain height, so you should immediately take care of the presence of a stand for it. The optimal height for raising the tank is 2-2.5 meters.

Installation of a dripper irrigation system

So, the materials have been purchased, plans have been drawn up - it’s time to start making a drip irrigation system from drippers.

Step 1. It is necessary to make a hole for water outlet in the tank. To do this, cut a hole for the ball valve a few centimeters from the bottom of the tank and install the latter using seals and a coupling so that water does not leak out.

On a note! If you plan to install a filter in your system, it is best to install it at the water outlet from the tank so that all debris that gets into the water does not clog the tap and hoses. Instead of a filter, you can use a piece of foam rubber, but it will need to be changed regularly.

Step 2. In the hoses that will be located between the bushes, we make holes of such a diameter that the ends of the droppers will be held inside. The number of holes will be equal to the number of plants being watered.

Step 3. We connect the main main hose to the tap, to which, according to the diagram, we also connect those that will be located between the rows of bushes. The connection is made using splitter fittings.

Step 4. We stretch the hose system and lay it between the rows.

Step 5. We close the ends of the main hoses with plugs to prevent water from spilling out.

Step 6. We remove the needles from medical droppers, leaving the rubber tips in place.

Step 9 Open the tap and allow water to enter the system.

Step 10 Using a regulator with a wheel on the droppers, we control the flow of water, adjusting the intensity.

On a note! Be sure to cover the water tank with something from the sun's rays to prevent the water from blooming. Otherwise, microalgae will grow in the tank, which will quickly contaminate the filter.

Video - Installation of drip irrigation from drippers

You are convinced that making a drip irrigation system yourself is not difficult. How much cheaper it is than buying a ready-made one remains an open question. This will be easy for those who have medical workers in the family or people who can buy IVs at a discounted or wholesale price. Otherwise, the system may turn out to be quite expensive.

And finally, I would like to give some tips on using drip irrigation that will extend its service life and make it easier for you to use.

1. The reservoir should only be filled with clean water to keep the filter clean for as long as possible.
2. By the way, you need to clean the filter weekly even if you fill it with clean water.
3. Before you first start using your drip irrigation system for its intended purpose, flush it and see if everything is working correctly. It is better to eliminate shortcomings immediately, if any.

In the fall, when you visit, be sure to disassemble the drip irrigation system and remove all water from it before storing it. If everything is left as is, the moisture inside the hoses will freeze in the cold and, turning into ice, will damage the droppers. Thus, the system will fail.

If you added plant fertilizers, be sure to fill the tank with clean water afterward and rinse the system thoroughly for 5-10 minutes so that no chemical particles remain in it. This may negatively affect the condition of the hoses.

Water your plants no earlier than a couple of hours after sunrise and no later than two hours after sunset.

Now you fully understand what drip irrigation is, why it is needed, and how to assemble it from ordinary droppers. The system is not complicated, but very functional. That is why do not waste your time now, so as not to run around with buckets later.

Video - How drip irrigation from drippers works

In order for the garden and vegetable garden to produce a good harvest, regular and timely watering is important. Especially in the summer. Of course, you can saturate the soil with moisture using a special watering hose, but today there is a more modern option - drip irrigation. What this system is, the principle of its operation, how much it costs and how to do drip irrigation correctly, you can find out by reading the article.

A drip system is designed for irrigation of plants that are planted using the row method. Ground or underground drip irrigation is used to care for crops, grapes, flowers and trees. This is also an ideal option for watering greenhouses. But drip irrigation is not suitable for moistening lawns. Because it is impossible to water a large area using pipes. In this case, sprinklers are used.

But for a small garden, berry garden, vegetable garden, the drip system is an excellent way. Many summer residents install from droppers, considering this the most economical and rational method of caring for plants.

Pros of the system

Drip irrigation prevents the root system from experiencing nutrient deficiency and drying out, and prevents the formation of a hard crust on the soil surface and the erosion of the fertile layer. Drip irrigation was first used in Israel. The effectiveness of the method is obvious. After all, today Israel is a leading exporter of agricultural products. A summer resident receives a lot of benefits from using a drip system.

The drip irrigation device gives the following results:

1. Plant fertility increases by approximately 40%.
2. Labor costs are significantly reduced. There is no need to carry heavy buckets or drag a hose. All you have to do is open the tap.
3. There are much fewer weeds growing. Because they lack moisture. This reduces the number of weedings.
4. Eliminates the possibility of soil erosion.
5. The likelihood of fungal diseases occurring is reduced.
6. Leaf burns are excluded. After all, drip tubes supply water specifically to the roots of plants.
7. Water savings are approximately 70%. Moisture does not spread throughout the entire area, but only enters the root zone of the plants.
8. The system operates at low pressure.
9. The presence of a gardener and total control of watering are not required. An automated system will supply water at the right time.

Design and principle of operation

The operating principle of drip irrigation is as follows: water is supplied directly to the root system of plants. Depending on the equipment used, moisture can be supplied to the soil surface or deep into the fertile layer. In the first case, the system is equipped with a drip tape or hose, in the second - with a dropper.

Based on the type of water supply, there are gravitational and forced systems. In the first option, the flow of water occurs due to an inclined container of water and the action of gravity. In the second option, drip irrigation is carried out from a water supply or a pump connected to a well. In this case, the system must be equipped with a gearbox. From the water supply network or tank, water moves through main pipes that have branches and is supplied to the desired irrigation location.

Drip irrigation is divided according to functionality into:

• manual;
• auto;
• semi-automatic.

The summer resident needs to turn the manual system on and off independently. The water container is also filled manually using a hose or buckets. Automatic devices operate completely under the control of the system. The semi-automatic device starts and turns off watering independently. But the gardener needs to replenish the water tank on his own. The semi-automatic machine can be programmed and the intensity and time of watering can be set. In terms of cost, automatic models are the most expensive.

System elements

Installation of drip irrigation does not present any great difficulties. This work does not require any special knowledge or skills.

But before installation, you should decide what you need to buy for drip irrigation, and which manufacturer to give preference to.

In fact, the range for drip irrigation is very wide and is represented by various parts from different manufacturers. When choosing, you should not chase the low price. Because the quality of cheap products cannot be high. It is better to adhere to the optimal ratio of cost and quality. It should also be noted that today well-equipped drip irrigation kits are available for sale. This saves the summer resident from the need to select individual parts. Below are the materials needed to set up a drip irrigation system.

Dropper: its types and functions

There can be two types: drip tapes and single devices. Drip tape is a hose with a large number of holes. There are special systems inside that regulate the water output. Depending on the principle of operation, there are three types: labyrinth, slot, emitter. Each of the varieties has its positive and negative sides. Most summer residents prefer emitter tapes. Because they are more technologically advanced and durable.

But before you buy an emitter tape for drip irrigation, you need to remember that it is most convenient to lay the tapes on beds with vegetable crops. But single devices or drippers are more suitable for watering free-standing perennial crops, shrubs, and trees. These units are also divided into two types: without pressure compensation and with compensation. Drippers can be used, for example, for watering currant bushes. In addition to watering, you can read in detail about high-quality and timely care of currants.

The main difference between a drip tube and a tape is the wall thickness and longer service life. The tube can serve properly for 3 years or more. Also, the tube, unlike the tape, can be buried in the ground. This does not change its functionality. Therefore, many people decide to buy a drip tube for irrigation, because it has excellent performance characteristics.

Many novice summer residents are wondering where to get drippers for drip irrigation and how much they cost. You can purchase these system elements at any specialized store or order them on the Internet.

To extend the life of the tube, it is advisable to install a filter. Otherwise, the dropper may quickly become clogged and stop performing its task. The cost of the dropper is low. But if you purchase a drip irrigation tube in bulk, many companies make a discount and in the end the product comes out even cheaper.

Tee - an important detail

Without this part, productive operation of the system is impossible. Using a tee, you can organize watering in several areas simultaneously. Therefore, a tee for drip irrigation is an important element and it is advisable to install it immediately.

Soft watering hose or ready-made hose

If you use a soft watering hose on one side, it will need to be plugged. The cost of this part is low. You can buy a drip irrigation hose at any specialty store.

Controller: types and applications

It is the main part of any automatic irrigation system. It determines the operating time of the valve and ensures regular watering. It looks like a small box with a display and several switches. The controller receives information from wind, humidity, and temperature sensors. Most models work from the network. True, there are also devices with a battery. They are more convenient to use.

If you buy an automatic controller for drip irrigation, the efficiency of the entire system will increase significantly. Semiconductor and hybrid controllers are available for sale. Semiconductor devices are installed indoors. Used to control irrigation in small areas. Most often for irrigating lawns and lawns near houses.

Hybrid models are more reliable and modern. Allows you to save energy and water. Equipped with a microprocessor that controls the valves one by one. Such units are mainly used to organize watering of large areas and greenhouses.

Drip irrigation injector

This element allows you to increase productivity, reduces the labor intensity of irrigation, eliminates contamination of groundwater and soil, and allows water to instantly reach the roots of crops along with mineral fertilizers. But you need to know how to choose the right injector for drip irrigation, since it costs a lot. You should choose a device based on your specific situation, after consulting with a specialist.

Other system elements

Also, to install a drip irrigation system you will need a pump, fitting, taps, adapters and plugs. Most often, difficulties when choosing parts for organizing drip irrigation arise with hoses. Because they can be of different types. And many summer residents do not know which supply hoses for drip irrigation are best to use.

When choosing, you should be guided by where the system will be located: on the surface or under the ground. On sale you can find a oozing hose. It is used for laying underground. Made of PVC, has a microporous structure. Performs the function of moistening the soil around the crop. Ideal for caring for tomatoes, which do not like moisture getting on their leaves.

The sprinkler is used for watering flower beds, beds, and lawns. The maximum hose length is 22 m. But if necessary, the length can be increased. The unit is equipped with fittings for more efficient irrigation. Tape hose is the most expensive. Its advantage is that it can be used in conjunction with electrical engineering.

Knowing how to install drip irrigation, you can organize an effective irrigation system for crops.

Installation is simple. First, the pipework is laid. After this, install the filter and pump. Then the controller and, if necessary, a unit for applying fertilizers are installed. Next, drip tapes are laid out under the trees and in the beds. The tapes are connected to the main pipes.

Cost and popular models

Many novice gardeners and summer residents are interested in how much drip irrigation costs and which models are more popular. As for the cost of equipment, it depends on the type of system chosen, as well as on the model, quality and manufacturer. For example, the semi-automatic drip irrigation system Aquadusya will cost a summer resident about 1,700 rubles, and the automatic model will cost 2,100 rubles.

In addition to Aquadus, models such as Rodnichok and Zhuk are also widely used. Semi-automatic devices are most often chosen. They are cheaper and, moreover, the automatic float for filling the water tank can be purchased and installed separately. Installing a control system yourself allows you to save some money. Some craftsmen are trying to organize underground drip irrigation with their own hands, and they are doing quite well.

Thus, drip irrigation is currently the most modern and effective method of irrigating plants. It allows you to increase productivity and save water. The drip irrigation device is quite simple. This allows you to easily install the system yourself.