Drip irrigation greenhouses do it yourself

When growing greens and vegetables in a greenhouse, there are three areas that need to be addressed first:

1. Watering.
2. Fertilizer.
3. Pests.

Today there are a large number of methods to help cope with a particular problem. This article will be devoted to one of them, namely, how to make a drop watering greenhouses with their own hands. Only with the construction of a well-designed watering can you expect a good harvest at the end of the season.

Watering is a responsible and important task!

Automatic watering of beds

With watering should follow the rule of the golden mean: a lot of water is very bad, but on the other hand, a little water is even worse. Inexperienced agronomists, when growing vegetables in a greenhouse, can make one mistake - if they want to get a lot of harvest, they can supply the plants with plenty of water and fertilizer. However, this is a big mistake! The soil will be exhausted very soon and will contain a large amount of harmful substances. For this reason, you should think about the structure, which will not only save water consumption, but also moderately care for plants in the greenhouse. Here are all the pros and cons of the drip irrigation system in the greenhouse:

• With proper irrigation, the root system will receive enough oxygen.
• If you simply flood the plant, the water that has accumulated near the root will push out oxygen, and this will negatively affect the development of the plant.
• The drip irrigation system of plants in the greenhouse establishes a good movement of oxygen air near the root.
• The necessary moisture goes directly to the plant root.
• When drip irrigation, fertilization of plants is carried out only when necessary.
• The soil surface will not have a crust, which will have a positive effect on the development of fruits.
• With point irrigation, the weeds do not grow, respectively, we can save power on weeding.
• Significantly reduces the risk of plant damage by fungal infections and pathogens.
• Drip irrigation of the greenhouse is associated with lower labor costs.
• Significantly reduced soil leaching.
• The yield and productivity of a particular crop is increased.
• You can point the necessary fertilizer.
• With low water pressure, the possibility of watering a large area.
• Easy installation and subsequent management.
• Drip irrigation saves water.

In the absence of a centralized water supply, one of the main drawbacks of this irrigation system is the need to exercise constant control over the process of filling the storage tank with water.

Cumulative capacity at elevations

So, from the above, the fact that The greenhouse drip irrigation system is a reliable assistant for any agronomist. You will no longer need to carry buckets and watering cans.

Preparatory work

You can purchase a ready-made set

To create a drip irrigation system should first prepare all the necessary material. To simplify the work, you can buy a simple set of drip irrigation system. It may include:

• Special drip tape.
• Disc Filter.
• Start connectors with taps and rubber seals.
• Start connectors without cranes, as well as with rubber seals.
• Connectors that connect the hose to the filter.
• Set of repair fittings and ramifications.

Frequent clogging of the nozzle can be prevented by installing a special filter in the system.

Special irrigation filter

But, to make this system with your own hands, this one kit you will not be enough. Additionally, you should purchase and prepare:

• Polyethylene pipes.
• Drill.
• Drill.
• Scissors for cutting pipes, or a hacksaw for metal.
• Marker.

Example of implementation

The system does not require much large investments if you make it yourself .

Making a plan is the key to success!

Designing the system

Before starting the installation work should do all the calculations and planning. Mainly, you should indicate on the plan how the beds will be located in your greenhouse. To make the calculations accurate, you can take a regular tape measure and take appropriate measurements inside the greenhouse. Transfer these measurements to the plan. So, on the plan (scheme) created by you should be indicated:

1. Water sources.
2. Capacity from which the entire drip irrigation system will be fed.
3. Branching of all channels from the tank along the beds.

However, the calculation of the pipeline system can be added to this list.If there is no centralized water supply system, then care should be taken to arrange a special storage tank, which will be the main source of water. You may need to install a pump that will pump water through the system and water the beds. All these details can be specified on the plan you created. So, it will be easier to carry out all the calculations for the purchase of the necessary material.

Features of the choice of pipes

As for the choice of pipes, it is best to use polyethylene for cold water Ø32 . Otherwise, it will be difficult to drill holes as well as fix future fittings. Moreover, in addition you will need to calculate the required number of fittings that will allow you to make several branches in the greenhouse.

Important requirements for creating a general plan for the device:

• The filter should be installed in any convenient place, however, it should be between the water source and the main pipeline.
• With the help of the start-connector, a drop tape is attached to the main pipe.
• Drip tape should be placed strictly above the garden bed so that it runs throughout the row.
• The end of the drip tape should be muffled.

We proceed to installation work

Arrangement of irrigation in the greenhouse

The first step is to connect the main pipeline. To do this, attach the hose to the line using special fittings. After the filter is installed in the system. It is best to buy the filter that can be disassembled and cleaned after some time. So, the filter is mounted in the supply hose to the entire system of drip irrigation of the greenhouse.

When installing it, pay attention to the case. It shows an arrow in the direction in which it should be fixed. Otherwise, the filter will not do you any good. In general, when installing the filter should not have any problems.

After you should mark the pipeline and make holes in the device. Here you will be helped by the plan that you drew at the beginning. Drip tapes should be placed evenly and consistently. The pipeline should be marked with a marker mark the future places of attachment of the drip tape.

Marking

After using a drill and a drill, make holes in the places of marks.

Making the hole

The hole must match the rubber seal (from the kit) that will be inserted into them . But it is imperative that it enter with effort.

Seal insert

In the rubber seal, the start-connector is mounted, as well as a valve that can be closed in the case when watering should not be done on all beds.

As a result, you will not need to disconnect the entire system from watering, if some vegetables need to be watered less.

Some sets of start connectors do not have a crane. Therefore, when buying it, make sure it is available. Otherwise, you will not be able to switch watering beds or you will have to buy additional taps.

In order to save water, it is better to install taps in all cases. For example, some cultivated crops do not require constant watering, so while some beds need intensive watering, others need, on the contrary, to be turned off.

So, in the next step, you should begin to connect the dropping tape to the start-connector. For its attachment should not put much effort. At the start of the connector, it is tightened with a nut.

Installing the drip tape

When mounting the drip tape, make sure that the drip is directed upwards, and not down.

Separately, attention should be paid to the drip tape:

1. Drip tape from the start connector to the end of the bed.
2. At the end it should be muffled.
3. This is very easy to do. It is enough to cut in the right place, twist and roll up the end.
4. Thanks to the splitter, the drip tape can be completely folded at any time. This is especially good in cases where the direction of the beds may change slightly or simply have an irregular shape.
5. The opposite end of the line should also be securely shut off.

Automatic watering of greenhouses

So, we have reviewed with you the sequence of work on the manufacture of drip irrigation of greenhouses with their own hands. But now consider some of the nuances that should be taken care of in the process. What if you do not have a centralized highway? You can set the capacity in the greenhouse itself.

The only thing that will be required of you is to constantly monitor the water level. However, this process can be automated. For example, to mount pumping equipment that will pump water into the tank from an available source.Moreover, it is possible to approximately calculate the daily water consumption in the greenhouse. Accordingly, you will be able to pour water in a certain amount for a day or several days, depending on the intensity of watering the beds. To organize automatic watering, you should arrange drip irrigation according to the method as described above. After you need to buy an automatic controller that will regulate the flow of water.

These controllers have a built-in sensor that can be programmed to turn on the water at a certain time of day or even several days a week. This automatic controller must be installed immediately after the filter.

Controller

So, by organizing automatic irrigation using drip irrigation with your own hands, you can achieve several goals at once .

1. Save water.
2. Save time.
3. Ability to grow vegetables and herbs more efficiently.

Thus, watering in the country will not dream you in terrible dreams. Especially when there is no rain for a long time. In all these cases, drip irrigation with their own hands will be the most effective and productive tool. If you already have experience in this area, then leave your comments at the end of this article. Your practical experience is simply invaluable!

We recommend reading:

• how to build a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands;
• a well in the country with your own hands.

Video

This is an automatic do-it-yourself watering, only drip tape is acquired from special equipment: