Drip Irrigation For The Garden

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The drip irrigation system has long been used by gardeners in their summer cottages. This is one of the most sustainable, efficient ways to water your plants. In recent years, interest in him has been reviving again. Let's take a closer look at modern technology

Scope of application

Drip irrigation is used everywhere: on industrial plantations of large agricultural firms, in greenhouses, private gardens. With its help, herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees are watered.

Drip irrigation has made it possible to grow vegetables in arid regions. The introduction of modern systems in large and small areas increases yields, plants feel more comfortable, and the risk of death during drought is reduced.

Technology principle

Water is delivered directly to the root zone of the plants. Quantity, periods of filing are compiled based on the needs of crops. The portions of water are uniform, in small volumes. Consumption is reduced by 5 times compared to the conventional irrigation method.

Method advantages

Drip irrigation system is one of the main components of high technologies used in agriculture. Using the method has several advantages:

• increases the yield by 2 times;

• improves air exchange in the soil;

• there is no waterlogging, soil compaction;

• the root system breathes actively, develops well;

• mineral fertilizers are applied together with irrigation directly to the root zone;

• losses from evaporation of nutrients are reduced, their rapid consumption by plants occurs;

• leaves remain dry, which reduces the risk of contracting diseases;

• means used against pests, diseases are not washed off from the leaf plate during watering;

• processing of crops, harvesting is carried out at any convenient time;

• the soil between the rows is always dry;

• significantly saves water, fertilizers, energy, labor costs;

• the cost of production is significantly reduced, irrigation systems pay off faster;

• in horticulture, viticulture, plants enter the period of marketable fruiting 2-3 years earlier;

• seedlings take root better;

• there is no water erosion.

Gardeners with drip irrigation in greenhouses get a harvest of vegetables and green crops at the earliest possible date. Significantly gain in price, yield, demand for products.

Payback period

The cost of the drip irrigation system, its installation is relatively high. All necessary maintenance work should be properly planned. It will depend on the following factors:

• the type of pipe materials used;

• layout, geometrical dimensions of the site;

• source of water supply;

• complete set of the system;

• varieties of cultivated crops.

According to experts, investments in modern technology pay off in 2 years. The use of drip irrigation is possible both in large areas and in small summer cottages. The cost of the main components of the system is equal to the cost of purchasing fixtures and materials for sprinkling.

In small areas, the economic effect is noticeable faster. A properly installed structure is served by one person on a plot of 5 hectares.

The main elements of the system

Drip irrigation technology consists of individual elements assembled into a single network:

1. Water distribution unit. Plate or sand-gravel filters with automatic flushing, taps, meters, fertilizer dilution tanks with a pump.

2. Main pipeline. Its diameter is equal to the required water flow, its length is the distance to the extreme point of the irrigated area. Made of polyethylene or PVC pipes.

3. Small tubes with droppers. They are laid in parallel lines along the rows, perpendicular to the main pipeline. The diameter ranges from 1, 2 to 2 cm.

4. Droppers. A sophisticated mechanism that supplies water directly to plants in small quantities without pressure. The distance between them directly depends on the planting scheme, the type of crop, the mechanical composition of the soil, ranging from 20 to 150 cm.

5. Control system for installing the software of plants with the required amount of water, the time of its supply.

6. Valves for regulating the fluid supplied.

In hardware stores, garden centers, a wide range of drip irrigation complexes is presented. You can mount it yourself, but it is better to entrust the responsible business to specialists. The installed equipment will provide an opportunity to get good harvests for a long time, save material costs, labor resources of gardeners and gardeners.