Drip irrigation evenly and promptly moistens the soil, supplies plants with nutrients, and does not erode the fertile layer. The method is popular for growing vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs. Its use even on poor soils and in arid climates allows you to get a rich harvest. Using the advice of experienced craftsmen and available tools, it is not difficult to create drip irrigation with your own hands for your personal farm.
- Forced. The water is under pressure from a circulation pump or water supply. The system is equipped with a reducer - a pressure meter and regulator, the upper value of which in a drip system is no more than 2 atmospheres.
- Using gravity. From a tank filled with water, under the influence of gravity, water flows to the plants. The tank or container is located approximately 2 meters above ground level.
- Moisture goes directly to the root and does not touch the stem, protecting the plant from fungal diseases.
- With careful, uniform moisture, the soil near the crop remains loose and saturated with oxygen. The water does not stagnate and does not compress the soil, as happens with the conventional irrigation method.
- The result of drip irrigation is similar to natural humidification.
- Water is supplied in such a way that the soil is moistened as needed, not too dry, or flooded.
- Drip humidification is used to safely feed plants.
- Water for irrigation is used sparingly.
- Moistening a limited area of soil does not stimulate the root system to strengthen, grow wider and deeper, which reduces the effectiveness of fertilizers. When applying increased amounts of them, only part of them is effective in a moist area of soil, that is, near the drip. The remaining amount of useful elements is useless or harmful to the soil. The solution to the problem is to install 3-4 droppers around the plant. But this increases the cost of the system.
- Insufficient hydration. A healthy plant requires approximately 10 cm of moist soil. It is created in 2-3 hours of operation of a drip irrigation system. If the water has not penetrated to the required depth, the root of the plant does not receive the necessary nutrition and required moisture. The solution to the problem is to determine in a practical way the relationship between the depth of moistening and the time of watering before using the system.
- 1. A diagram of the greenhouse with dimensions (length, width) contains an image of the beds and the location of the plants. Required to calculate the length and select the type of garden hoses.
- 2. Water is supplied to the site through plastic pipes; they are conveniently located around the perimeter of the greenhouse.
- 3. The pipes are equipped with fasteners and fittings for further installation. To create a portable, mobile system, flexible garden hoses are used; to install a stationary system, hoses with a rigid structure or plastic pipes are used.
- 4. The water tank is placed in a place convenient for collecting and distributing water, at a sufficient height for the correct operation of the gravitational system. Gardeners agree that a water supply of at least 100 liters is required.
- 5. Calculation of the length of hoses, the number of accessories and spare parts is made according to the planting scheme. These include pipes and flexible hoses, fittings, shut-off valves, plugs, and adapters. When planning an automatic irrigation system, regulators and a water supply controller are purchased.
- 1. Using a watering tape with holes is convenient. It will last up to 10 years in a greenhouse or indoors, but is susceptible to the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation.
- 2. The second way is to make holes in the flexible hose yourself using a heated nail, an awl, or a thin drill.
- 3. The third option is to use additional thin hose outlets with holes up to 30 cm long and up to 4 mm in diameter. The advantages of this method are mobility and the ability to move the device as the plant grows. There is no need to plant crops in even rows.
- Plantings in open ground exceed the area in greenhouses, which increases the amount of water required for irrigation. Requires connection to water supply or well.
- Water supply lines and hoses that are constantly outdoors must be resistant to temperature changes and still be able to maintain working condition.
- To water large areas, it is advisable to use a pump and a hydraulic accumulator, which maintain the required pressure in the system and regulate the water supply.
- The number of drippers is equal to the number of plants that require watering.
- Inlet holes are created in the main hose according to the diameter of the drip tubes.
- Connections and branching of hoses using fittings of the required size.
- Sections of hoses with plugs at the ends are laid out along the plants along the length of the furrows.
- Rubber tips of medical systems are inserted into prepared holes in the main hoses.
- The other ends, where the plastic needles are placed, are located near the root of the plant.
- 1. Select a bottle that corresponds to the distance between plants and dig it into the ground with the neck up. To irrigate one bush, you can use a small container with holes made in the direction of the plant's root. Bury it in the ground next to the bush and fill it with water. Nylon is used as a filter. After this, water begins to flow into the soil and moisturize the root system.
- 2. The bottle is hung upside down on a crossbar or convenient holder up to half a meter high. A uniform supply of water occurs through the holes in the bottle cap.
- 3. The container is placed in the ground, neck down, with holes made. This technique helps deliver water directly to the depth of the root. The peculiarity of the method is that the lid should not be lower than the root in order for the moisturizing to act strictly as intended.
- 4. Special nozzle with ready-made holes. It easily screws onto the bottle. The method is simple and convenient. The nozzle is convenient to place in the ground and remove for cleaning and filling the bottle with water. The disadvantage of this method is the single size of the nozzle, suitable for use in bottles with a capacity of no more than two liters.
- a layer of polyethylene film;
- perforated pipes or hoses;
- drainage (crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay);
- priming.
- 1. The systems are placed inside a storage tank with water through the top. The complexity of this option is starting the dropper, getting water inside the hose and adjusting the water supply.
- 2. Drilling holes in the bottom of the storage tank and fixing the distribution hoses in them. Since the diameter of the outlets should be smaller than the diameter of the hoses, it is easier to insert the latter into the holes heated in hot water. After cooling, a tight connection is created, the outlets are additionally sealed.
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Operating principle
The main advantage of the drip irrigation system is the targeted, economical supply of water to the plant in uniform volumes. In this case, the roots of the crop are directly moistened through the holes in the hoses. Supply is carried out in two ways: into the soil, to the rhizome using droppers, or to the surface through hoses - a special watering tape.
Drip irrigation is distinguished by the method of water supply:
To supply water to crops requiring irrigation, pipelines with specially mounted splitters are used. The pipes are placed and secured along the perimeter of the site, along the walls of the greenhouse, in prepared furrows. The filter at the outlet of the water supply or tank prevents blockages in watering ribbons and holes. The valve controls the water supply.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the drip irrigation system were appreciated by gardeners and gardeners who tested it in action.
Advantages of drip irrigation:
The use of drip irrigation makes the farmer's work easier, and so significantly that it leaves no room for analyzing the shortcomings of the system. And they are:
Calculation of consumables
Correctly installed perforated hoses are spaced at intervals of no more than 30 cm. High-quality moistening of the soil and root system occurs in about 2 hours. Approximate water consumption per 1 sq. meter - 20-30 liters. A longer time for watering means excessive consumption of water, as well as waterlogging of the soil, leading to diseases and rotting of the roots.
DIY drip irrigation system
To correctly calculate the irrigation structure, the area requiring irrigation is taken into account. The length and location of the pipes and the volume of the gravity system storage depend on it. If drip irrigation is forced, using a well pump or water supply, it can be controlled manually or automatically, provided that a water supply controller is installed.
The capacity of the irrigation tank is calculated using the formula: volume of required liquid for 1 sq. meters (about 20–30 l) multiplied by the irrigation area.
Design
Creating a home watering system begins with developing a plan. You can choose a stationary one - for perennial crops, or a portable model - for annual crops. Irrigation in greenhouses is suitable for growing cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.
Irrigation system plan for the site
Planning the irrigation system on the site:
After calculations and preparation of materials, installation of the irrigation system begins. A home tool kit will do.
Installation of simple drip irrigation
An example of creating a drip irrigation system for one plant:
The system is installed in three ways to choose from:
For open ground
Installation is carried out according to a similar scheme, but taking into account the following features:
From infusion medical systems
Medical drippers do an excellent job of garden watering. They have rubber adapters that are conveniently inserted into the main hose, as well as ready-made water supply intensity regulators.
Drip irrigation using medical systems
Irrigation installation diagram:
The first start of water will allow you to evaluate the intensity of the pressure, which can be adjusted later. If a tank is used for irrigation, its top should be protected from direct sunlight to prevent contamination of the filter and hoses.
From plastic bottles
The simplest option for drip supplying water to the root is to use plastic bottles. This is an elementary, profitable and reliable device that serves well in greenhouses and open ground. The summer sun heats the water, and at night the earth continues to be moistened with warm water.
Bottle irrigation system
A peculiarity of using the method when moistening dense clay soils is the need to monitor the cleanliness of the device’s holes. In dry times, plants require periodic heavy watering in addition to drip irrigation. The disadvantages include the difficulty of servicing large areas.
The device is cheaper than a ready-made kit, but is not inferior to it in terms of efficiency. The choice of bottle size is based on the size of the plant and its need for moisture. Containers from 1 to 5 liters are used. The amount of watering time that will last depends on the size and number of holes. To create them, nails, an awl, and a needle are used. Use a nylon stocking or fabric as a filter.
Relationship between bottle volume and watering time^
Installation options:
Liquid nutrients and fertilizers are poured into a bottle in a diluted state. The proportions for the correct solution are indicated in the instructions for each fertilizer. Feeding the plant will be uniform and distributed along the entire length of the root.
Underground drip irrigation
The root system of garden crops is shallow, located closer to the soil surface. The distribution pipes of the irrigation system are placed taking this factor into account - no deeper than 2 shovels. If the pipeline is located at a shallower depth, there is a possibility of damage during cultivation and digging.
Subsoil moistening device
Arrangement of underground irrigation involves planning the placement of plantings for several seasons, so that the plants are located close to a source of moisture. The watering device is not intended for free movement within the area.
A preliminary design of the system will help to correctly calculate the amount of materials required, the location of the trenches and the drainage layer. The following are placed in the recesses prepared according to the diagram:
It is recommended to make perforated pipes yourself, since production ones have too large holes. The perforation diameter should be up to 20 mm, the step between them should be no more than 40 cm. Clogging of nozzles during underground irrigation is inevitable. A cheaper filtration option is nylon tights, while a professional approach uses geo-fabric.
The water storage tank is raised to a height sufficient to create high-quality water circulation. Depending on the length of the system, the approximate height of the tank placement is at least 2 meters.
Underground irrigation system for garden and vineyards
Orchards and vineyards that require constant watering are distinguished by a deep and powerful root system, going 1 meter or more deep. To moisten garden trees, pits are created near them by drilling. The recess is filled one-third with drainage (crushed stone, expanded clay).
A vertical pipe up to 5 cm in diameter is installed, with holes, a filter and a plug at the bottom. The size of the hole depends on the age of the plant and the size of the roots. For young trees it is possible to use a depth of up to 72 cm, for mature plants with a powerful root system - up to 1 meter.
Vertically installed pipes or hoses are combined into a single network by main pipelines coming out of the water storage tank or connected to the water supply. If it is not possible to install a general system, the vertical pipes at the roots are filled with water manually. To avoid blockages, the upper part of the pipes is closed with a lid or plug.
Automation of subsurface irrigation
Connecting the system to a well pump or water supply, as well as installing a timer and controller, makes automation possible. The device allows you to set a program to independently turn on and off watering.
A plastic canister, bucket, and bottles with a volume of more than 50 liters serve as water storage. Medical infusion systems are used as watering hoses - cheap, durable and reliable devices. There are two options for arranging home drip irrigation:
Making a home automatic watering system using the second option will take more time, but the result will be a reliable device that can be used not only to moisten the soil, but also to feed plants.
Installing an irrigation system in your dacha or garden is one of the main factors in obtaining a good harvest. The most effective method of watering is a point-dose system of moisture supply at the root of each plant bush. Gardeners with unlimited finances buy industrial irrigation systems, and savvy craftsmen make drip irrigation with their own hands from improvised means.
How to make drip irrigation using improvised materials with your own hands
Containers made of dark plastic, which are available in abundance in the summer on any personal plot, are a suitable material for constructing a simple drip irrigation system with your own hands.
Option #1
We dig a small hole between the beds and install a 1- or 2-liter hole there. We make holes in the plug located at the top for air access. We pierce thin holes on the sides of the container in a checkerboard pattern to allow moisture to flow from the bottle to the roots of nearby plants.
For plants located a little further from the bottle, water can be provided through additional tubes inserted into the holes of the bottle.
Option No. 2
We install supports on both sides above the bed. A beam is placed on the supports, from which bottles of water are hung. Small holes are pierced in the lids to drain water from containers laid horizontally on the beam. Another way: bottles are hung vertically down. The necessary water will flow to the roots through thin holes made in the lid or through cleaned used pen refills inserted into containers with the writing tip removed.
Before use, bottles are cleared of labels, thoroughly washed and dried.
Option No. 3
A little patience and skill are required to set up a do-it-yourself drip irrigation system using medical droppers.
To do this you will need:
- hoses made of rubber or pipes made of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride;
- connecting adapters, fittings, tees, end caps;
- used medical droppers.
To assemble an irrigation system according to a pre-designed scheme:
- hoses (pipes) are laid out;
- through adapters they are connected to each other and to the source of water.
- We put caps around the edges.
- In the hoses (pipes) opposite each plant, using an awl, we make small holes into which we tightly insert the plastic ends of the droppers. Use the wheel to adjust the water pressure.
Before use and each subsequent season, the entire system must be thoroughly flushed. The thin openings of the irrigation system can gradually become clogged. It is recommended to install a fine filter when entering water.
Summer residents have learned to make homemade filters with their own hands using pieces of nylon socks or tights. An empty plastic container in which medications were stored can be used to make a filter. Connecting tubes are tightly attached to it and inserted at the entrance to the irrigation system. Nylon elements are inserted into a plastic jar, which is tightly screwed on with a lid. It is recommended to use filters with mesh sizes three times smaller than the openings of the droppers used.
DIY drip hose
If a homemade drip irrigation system is constructed with a conductive hose laid out on the ground or placed on a support, its functions can be performed by:
- ordinary single-layer or multi-layer rubber hose;
- hose made of polyvinyl chloride;
- silicone hose.
When you plan to bury the water supply system into the soil, it is safer to build it from plastic or polypropylene pipes. Such a conductive hose will be less susceptible to corrosion and temperature changes.
In any case, the conductive hose must be suitable for making holes in it for inserting medical or other types of droppers with tips and not allow water to pass through in places not intended for irrigation.
Homemade drip irrigation system
Drip tapes are popular among gardeners. They are also made by hand. The tape drip irrigation system consists of:
- main pipeline;
- main distribution pipes;
- tapes made of plastic with holes located at equal distances from each other or perforated hose tapes.
The optimal choice of material for making wiring is polyethylene pipes for irrigation. It is convenient to install dispensing connectors, tees, reducers, valve and ball valves, and other connecting elements with a water intake source and drip tapes on them. After preliminary cleaning and checking the pipe layout, plugs are placed along their edges. Drip tapes are attached to distribution pipes using starting fittings and adapters. During the preliminary test, the operation of each dropper is checked. In case of clogging, mechanical cleaning is carried out. Drip tape or seamless tubes are buried at a shallow depth of 2 to 3 centimeters to prevent watered roots from penetrating the system.
A typical do-it-yourself drip irrigation scheme looks like this: 
Instead of drip tapes, seamless PVC tubes with emitters are used for homemade drip irrigation.
A volumetric filling plastic tank is used as a water source, installed at a two-meter height to ensure the required water pressure in the system. The water supply is calculated based on the usable area occupied by the beds, soil type, number of plants and moisture requirements (from 0.8 to 1.5 l/hour). Soft rain or melt water is preferable for irrigation compared to tap water. It is more beneficial for plants when its temperature is identical to the temperature of the air and soil.
Fighting pipe blockages
To simultaneously feed vegetables, it is often added to the water. It should be remembered that to prevent them from clogging the conductive hoses, it is necessary to use only special soluble fertilizers.
The connection of the tank to the entrance to the irrigation system should be made slightly above the bottom. This will reduce the likelihood of pipes being clogged by debris settling at the bottom of the tank.
To prevent clogging of pipes by chemical impurities of iron, aluminum, magnesium, and phosphorus oxides that accumulate in hard water, acid additives are used. To prevent contamination by mucus and microorganisms, thorough washing with removal of plugs and chlorination of water are carried out periodically.
Upon completion of field work, we disassemble the irrigation system, thoroughly rinse and dry it in preparation for work next year.
Automated drip irrigation
Advanced masters learned how to set up drip irrigation automation using:
- minicomputer processor, solenoid valves, humidity, temperature, operating pressure level sensors, single- or multi-channel controllers;
- a timer installed on the water supply pump, with its help the time of supplying and turning off the water is regulated.
The minicomputer configures up to 12 individual water supply modes for each branch of the irrigation distribution across the site. The volume of water in the system is regulated taking into account the automatic analysis of incoming information from temperature and humidity sensors. Programmable controllers are installed at the entrance to the irrigation system after the valve and on the wiring in the places where drip tapes or special seamless pipes are connected. They automatically give a command to the installed solenoid valves to turn irrigation on and off.
Automatic drip irrigation systems significantly reduce the need for water use, time for monitoring and maintaining beds.
The main advantages of using a homemade drip system
Do-it-yourself drip irrigation using improvised means significantly saves money on purchasing the necessary materials and equipment. The second advantage is the quick possibility of replacing a damaged part of the system with a spare one: a craftsman who has built drip irrigation on his site will quickly see its weak points and repair them using available spare materials (or purchase them at already familiar places of sale).
General advantages of homemade drip irrigation:
- Beneficial effect on plants. Moisture enters precisely under the roots, without clogging the soil or creating a crust. Overmoistening is eliminated, the roots breathe intensively throughout the entire cycle of growth and ripening of vegetables and berries. Plants are not injured, unlike when a significant flow of water hits them from above during sprinkling.
- Significant savings in water consumption, reduction in wear and contamination of the irrigation system with impurities and slime.
- Crop losses from pests and diseases are reduced. Fungicides, insecticides, and other protective agents applied to leaves during treatment are not washed off with running water during watering.
- Drip tapes are conveniently located even in areas with uneven terrain; the formation of puddles in some places and drought in other beds is not allowed.
- Weeds grow less because they do not receive water. In the places where they grow, the soil remains dry.
A uniform, targeted supply of water to the roots at a temperature close to the soil temperature ensures stable yields in the beds.
Have patience and skill, make your own drip system in your garden. Save labor costs and water consumption in the future, and enjoy a good harvest!
The watering timer is installed directly on the main hose and passes water through its body; inside there is a valve that opens and closes exactly according to the time you set. You can set up several watering cycles (morning-evening) or, at your request, even every hour)
Well, let's look at the drip irrigation schemes provided by the author.
According to the scheme, it is necessary to acquire a large barrel for water, it is best if it is plastic, since it does not rust or oxidize, and this is important!!! Because hoses and capillaries can become clogged over time. The container also serves for settling and heating water to the optimal temperature. Watering is carried out with categorically settled water, otherwise you will simply ruin the planted plants and be left without a harvest.
But if you are constantly outdoors and in direct sunlight, the plastic may crack. To avoid such troubles, the barrel can be covered with some material or painted.
You can also use metal barrels, but they will rust, which is not advisable for the above reason of hose clogging.
The container should be approximately 1.5-2 meters above ground level. This is necessary to create stable pressure. The author made the stand for the barrel from a metal corner; it can also be made from wooden beams and boards. A main hose is connected to the bottom of the container.
Drip tapes can be bought in a store or made independently, for which punctures are made in a thin hose with an awl, a hot needle, or a thin screwdriver, directly at the level where the root of the plant is located. But the water pressure in such a hose will be uneven, but in the factory model this fineness is provided and the pressure is the same along the entire length.
For a small vegetable garden, a homemade one is quite suitable.
Also, the drip irrigation system is very economical; it is even used in agricultural fields, where they stretch for kilometers across the entire field. Economy comes first, and the result is an excellent and healthy harvest.
By creating this system on your site, you will say goodbye to buckets and watering cans forever)
Drip tape is actively used in gardening, vegetable growing, and plant growing. It is installed in greenhouses and open ground. This is the most effective and modern type of irrigation systems. What is such an installation, what are its advantages, how to install drip irrigation from a drip tape yourself - the article will tell you about all this.
Drip irrigation is perhaps the most popular system for soil moistening at the moment. In almost every garden you can find a similar installation. Its design varies. This depends on the type of device used.
One of several groups of equipment is used:
But most often, gardeners choose drip tape. After all, it is suitable for any site, regardless of its landscape features. Therefore, we will talk about it further.
What is drip tape made of?
The design of the drip tape is quite simple. Represented by a thin-walled tube with holes. The method of constructing outlet openings varies. And the quality of irrigation and the durability of the entire system depend on this. The main feature of drip irrigation is that it can be used for all types of crops. Suitable for fruit trees, shrubs, flower beds and vegetable beds.
A drip tape irrigation system consists of the drip tape itself and an ordinary hose to which the drippers are connected. It can be presented in two types. The first involves the presence of built-in miniature droppers in the hose. The second is a whole set of droppers that connect to the pipe independently.
Before water enters the drip tape structure, it passes through a filter. Thanks to this, the system does not become dirty and its service life is extended. After passing through many cleaning holes located in the regulating channel of the tape, the liquid enters the labyrinth channel. The flow rate is regulated there. After which the water rushes to the outlets. The root system of garden crops is irrigated directly. This ensures more complete development of plants. Often a drip system is used to apply fertilizers.
What are the advantages of using drip irrigation on the site?
Today, most agricultural producers use drip irrigation.
And this is due to the fact that such a system pays for itself quite quickly. It also has a number of other advantages.
Drip irrigation systems made from emitter tapes are popular due to their following advantages:
- Significant resource savings.
- Reducing the number of weeds in the garden.
- Plants and beds are not damaged with this irrigation.
- The likelihood of crop disease is significantly reduced.
- Productivity increases several times.
The watering tape for drip irrigation provides softer and safer moistening of the soil and plants. Therefore, when thinking about how to organize truly high-quality irrigation, you should pay attention to drip tapes.
What types of drip tapes exist?
The question of how to choose a drip tape for irrigation worries many novice summer residents. After all, such a device is an integral element of the structure that irrigates the land. In order for the system to be as efficient as possible, it is important to approach the issue of choosing equipment competently and responsibly. 
The range of drip systems is quite wide. Manufacturers produce different types of such devices. And each variety has its own characteristics.
Here are the types of drip irrigation tape that many farmers choose:
- Slotted.
- Emitter.
- Labyrinthine.
Crevice tape
The most modern and popular type. Structurally, the slotted tape for drip irrigation is a tape that has a flexible labyrinth that slows down the flow of water and makes irrigation more uniform. Special slotted holes are made in certain installation locations. It is through them that the liquid seeps out. This type of system is quite easy to install and reliable to use. However, there is no thorough filtering. After all, narrow cracks become clogged after a while. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the purity of the water.
Emitter strip
The emitter tape for drip irrigation is characterized by the presence of a labyrinth that regulates the pressure of the water stream inside the emitter drippers. Such droppers are built in along the entire length of the tape. Due to turbulence, the water flow self-cleanses itself from various impurities. This type of tape is more expensive to operate.
Maze tape
Labyrinth tape for drip irrigation differs in that the channel has a zigzag shape. This allows you to reduce the speed of water movement. The advantage of this option is the uniform heating of the water. One of the disadvantages is the lack of irrigation. This type of tape is the most budget-friendly. However, various breakdowns often occur. Installation is also often difficult.
How to choose drip tape?
The answer to the question, which tape for drip irrigation is better, depends on the tasks that the automatic watering system must perform.
If you choose the right installation, irrigation will be of the highest quality. It is important to understand the characteristics and features of each system.
When choosing a tape for drip irrigation, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
- Diameter.
- Thickness.
- Emitter pitch.
The types of tapes were discussed above. But as for the diameter, there is a tape for drip irrigation of 16 mm and 22 mm. In the first case, the length of the bed to create high-quality irrigation should not exceed 300 m, and in the second - 750 m. An equally important parameter is the thickness. Farmers often underestimate this characteristic. But in vain, because the term of exploitation depends on it.
Thickness varies from 5 to 15 mm. For rocky surfaces, it is better to choose the thickest-walled option. 8 mm tape is recognized as universal. The most maintenance-demanding tape is 5 mm thick. Its service life usually does not exceed a year. This installation is best chosen for crops with early ripening. Thickness also affects cost. The smaller this value, the lower the price. 
If you plan for a long time, it is better to give preference to thicker tapes.
The choice of step largely depends on the characteristics of the crops being grown. If plants are planted close to each other, the best drip irrigation tapes are those that are characterized by a small pitch. For irrigating carrots and onions, the optimal step is 10-15 cm. When the distance between the bushes is significant, it makes sense to install a tape in steps of 30-40 cm.
So, to create the most effective irrigation, you need to choose a tape with the most suitable characteristics. And for the device to be durable, we must give preference to products from reliable manufacturers who use modern equipment for the production of drip irrigation tape and use the highest quality raw materials.
How to create drip tape with your own hands?
The cost of organizing drip irrigation depends on the type of system chosen. In principle, such an installation is quite affordable. However, some farmers create the system on their own to save money. Do-it-yourself drip irrigation tape is quite inexpensive and serves no worse than purchased options.
Let's look at how to build one for a small area of approximately 150 sq.m. To do this, you will need a 120-meter tape, as well as a polyethylene water pipe with a diameter of 32 mm and a water container, preferably plastic. You will need drip tape fittings to connect the individual parts of the pipe. You will need one fitting, a tap, a fitting, a coupling and 8 rubberized fittings.
When all the components for the drip irrigation tapes are ready, installation begins. Determine a place for the tank. An insert is made into the container, retreating about 5-10 cm from the bottom. A tap is connected to the barrel. Install the filter and adapter onto the polyethylene tube. The hose is drawn perpendicular to the beds. A tap is mounted at the end for flushing the auto system. Opposite each irrigation strip, holes are drilled to install a fitting. 
When all connections are ready, connect the emitter strip and plug it at the end. It is important to understand how to plug the dripper on a drip irrigation tape correctly. To do this, cut a piece of tape under the ring, about 1 cm wide. The end of the tape is folded several times and a ring is put on it.
On sale, farmers often find various accessories for drip irrigation from drip tapes: a drip stand, a hole punch for the tape, punches, a pin holder, etc. All of them make it possible to create a reliable, convenient and high-quality irrigation system.
Conclusions about the above information
Thus, drip irrigation is the most popular, modern option for watering agricultural crops, flower beds, and fruit trees. There are different types of such systems. Each of them has its own parameters, strengths and weaknesses. When equipping drip irrigation: the distance between drip tapes and droppers must be chosen wisely. The quality of irrigation, and therefore the condition of crops, depends on this. It is also important to install the system correctly. It is better to give preference to products from well-known, trusted companies. After all, an installation made of high-quality material will last properly and for a long time.
Experienced gardeners know how important it is to organize their garden. Most of them come to the unanimous opinion that drip irrigation is most suitable for vegetable crops, grapes and ornamental plants. Summer residents are a special people, creative, resourceful and inventive. From practically nothing, they can make very useful things for the household. And the drip irrigation system was no exception. Having analyzed many recommendations from experts, in this article we have collected 5 most useful tips on how to make drip irrigation with your own hands.
1. Operating principle and advantages of the drip irrigation system
A drip irrigation system can be used to moisten the soil both in and in open areas. The principle of its operation is very simple - cleaning and drainage tubes are connected to the water source, which are located along the entire length of the beds, and through special holes along the entire length of the hose, water flows evenly to the roots of the plants. Source of water can serve as a central water supply, or a well, which is equipped with a pump, a storage tank, or a reservoir that is located near your site. 
Water from the storage tank can be supplied by gravity, under the influence of gravity and pressure, or it can be forcibly supplied using a pump. The system will work in both cases. The difference will be felt only in water consumption and duration of watering. For example, when using special drip tape, which has a certain rate of water consumption per hour, it is necessary to ensure a minimum operating pressure. Only in this case condition water consumption will correspond to that stated in the technical specifications.
When supplying water by gravity consumption will be less. You need to know this in order not to commit one of the most common mistakes many who are taking on the task of installing a system with their own hands for the first time. If you realize that you will not be able to provide the required pressure or the use of a pump in your area is not technically possible, do not under any circumstances assume that the watering time will be the same as if the requirements were met. It may take you half a day to moisten the soil to the required depth, but the plants will receive water constantly.
With drip irrigation, crops are not at risk of sunburn even at lunchtime, because their stems and leaves remain completely dry. Watering can begin early in the morning and end in the late afternoon without the slightest harm to the plants. And if the system is additional equip with a timer, a pair of sensors (for example, a rain sensor and a soil moisture sensor), then your presence on the site is not at all necessary. The timer will either turn the water supply on and off at a set time, or do so as needed. Humidity sensors will signal this. And if it suddenly rains while watering, the system will react and turn off the water supply.
An important condition For normal operation of the system is the use of cleaning filters. Process water contains many impurities and small debris that quickly clog the holes. In this case, you will have to clean it very often. 
How more drip irrigation is good:
- Due to the fact that water gets as close as possible to the roots, there is practically no evaporation coefficient;
- Economical water consumption;
- Uniform watering;
- The ability to adjust the intensity of watering for each group of plants individually;
- Saving your personal time and effort;
- Free access of oxygen to rhizomes;
- Absence of heavy airtight crust on the surface of the earth;
- The costs associated with the purchase of drip hoses and all kinds of connecting elements will pay off very quickly, because the service life of such a system reaches 10 years;
- During the cold season, the system is easy to dismantle;
- Thanks to the flexibility of the hoses, they fold compactly and take up little space when stored;
- Watering with cold water is stressful for plants and can slow down their growth. This often happens when watering with a hose directly from a water source. With drip irrigation, the water has time to warm up to ambient temperature while it is inside the hose. Such conditions are the most favorable for plants, and the coefficient of moisture absorption increases;
- Due to the fact that only the soil under the plants will receive regular moisture, you will soon notice that the number of weeds in the area will decrease.
It is not surprising that this irrigation system is used almost everywhere, especially if you come to the dacha only on weekends. Next we will look at methods of organizing drip irrigation with your own hands, starting from a basic diagram to installing an automated line.
2. The simplest drip irrigation scheme from plastic bottles: 4 possible options
If you have accumulated a large amount or canisters, do not rush to get rid of them. In addition to various decorative items that many people make to decorate their summer cottage, you can use them to make a full-fledged irrigation system. 
This way, you can ensure high-quality soil moisture for 2-4 days. From the observations of many summer residents, we derived a small statistics, which states that a 1-liter bottle can irrigate tomatoes and cucumbers for 4-5 days, a 3-liter bottle for 10 days, and a 6-liter bottle for 2 weeks.
Water consumption depends on the type of soil in which you grow your crops. The number of necessary holes, which will provide sufficient watering, but at the same time avoid underwatering and overflowing, also depends on this. For example, sandy soils absorb moisture well and one hole in the bottom of the bottle is enough, while heavy clay soils need more.
Optimal is the use of a plastic system in small areas. In large areas, you will spend too much time and effort refilling water bottles. This system can also be effectively used for fertilizing and feeding various crops. However, only water-soluble additives that do not have solid particles should be used to avoid clogging the holes.
Let's consider everything advantages and disadvantages of such a system:
- Significantly lower water consumption compared to manual watering using a hose or watering can;
- Continuous operation of the system that does not require your participation;
- Minimum expenses for organization;
- Possibility of an individual approach to each plant;
- Easy installation and maintenance;
- Targeted entry of moisture.
Now about disadvantages:
- Due to the elementary design, from a technical point of view, frequent clogging of the system is possible. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to install filters in bottles. Experienced summer residents were able to find the same elementary solution to this problem - ladies' nylon tights. Even if particles of nylon get into the ground, it does not cause rotting, but has excellent throughput.
- It will be difficult to talk about the aesthetic pleasure that many experience when looking at their well-groomed plot with young shoots. Indeed, in this case, the entire garden will be “decorated” with plastic bottles;
- Limited supply of water, which must be constantly replenished with your own hands;
- On very hot days, additional watering will still be needed.
This is not to say that the shortcomings are too critical, so let’s consider manufacturing methods. Using plastic bottles, you can create four types of irrigation systems depending on their location. But be careful, all recommendations are focused on growing vegetable crops, in particular cucumbers and tomatoes.
Positioning the container with the lid up or down
This is the most versatile arrangement and is suitable for use both in greenhouses and outdoors. Most summer residents use this method.
Procedure:
- Take a container of the size that suits you. Step back 3 cm from its bottom and pierce several holes with an awl or gypsy needle. The number of holes is determined by the type of soil. They need to be pierced along the bottle until it begins to narrow towards the neck. On average, no more than 10 holes are made.
- Near the plant for which the container is intended, it is necessary to make a hole of the appropriate diameter and such a depth that only the narrow part of the bottle protrudes above the ground.
- Wrap the bottle in a thin cloth, lower it into the hole, then fill it with water and screw on the lid.
- As the container is emptied, it may become deformed under the pressure of the earth. To avoid this, puncture a small hole in the lid to equalize pressure and replenish water supplies in a timely manner.
Although such a system is a drip system, it is irrigation is happening intrasoil. At the same time, there is no need to fluff the top layer of soil, because it remains dry. At the same time, the plants are saturated with moisture faster, because the water goes straight to the rhizomes. 
The same principle of operation has the irrigation system when placing bottles lid down. Only order of execution slightly different:
Root watering using plastic bottles
This method is convenient because you can direct drops of water as accurately as possible to the desired location. Us required;
- Small bottles with lids, it is best to use 1.5 liter containers;
- Heated on gas or with a thick needle, you need to make a hole in the center of the lid. To protect your hands from burns, hold the nail with pliers;
- First, decide on the optimal angle of inclination, and then cut the bottom of the bottle at the same angle, so that more liquid can fit into it;
- Now you need to secure the bottle with several sticks and tape as close to the bush as possible, tilting the neck so that the drops fall directly on the rhizome;
- Fill the bottle with water, see if moisture gets there and if the mount can support the weight of the structure.
More convenient A similar method of watering will be possible if you purchase special cone-shaped plastic nozzles in the store, which are specifically designed for root watering. You can also avoid the need to fasten the container at an angle so that it cannot be knocked over by a gust of strong wind. To do this, dig a full bottle of water into the ground to a shallow depth. A small diameter hole is first made in it so that you can insert straw for drinks.
It is very convenient to use tubes with an inclined end. The hole is located as close to ground level as possible. The tube is inserted into the hole, the junction can be coated with silicone. The end of the tube must also be plugged. The liquid will not flow from it, but from the hole that you pierce yourself on its lower part. Direct the tube under the roots and see where it is more convenient to do this. Now fill the bottle with water and screw on the cap. Your system is ready.
Hanging drip irrigation system
For small plots A hanging system that is very easy to make is also suitable. For this we required:
- You need to build a support above the bushes, on which bottles of water will be hung in the future. To do this, you can use a wooden beam of appropriate length or metal pins with hooks. When sticking the support elements into the ground, be careful not to damage the roots of the plants;
- Prepare the required number of bottles - one between two bushes;
- Cut off the bottoms of the bottles;
- Not reaching 1-1.5 cm from the cut, make two holes opposite each other. Twine will be threaded through them, by which the container will be suspended;
- Punch one or more holes in the bottom of the bottle above the stopper. Water will ooze out of these holes.
- Hang the container over the garden bed, fill it with water and see where the drops fall. If necessary, move the bottles slightly to avoid water getting on the leaves.
Recommended height placing the system above ground level - 30-50 cm. In the future, you can add several holes to increase the intensity of water flow, so do not prick too much at once. If it’s more convenient for you, you can make holes in the lid.
3. Installation of a do-it-yourself irrigation system from drip hoses
If you decide not to save on creating an irrigation system, then this is the right decision. Made from high-quality materials and connecting elements, it will serve you for many years. Remember that than simpler scheme system, the more correctly it will work. Try to use the smallest number of connectors. At the point of each such connection, the pressure weakens, and particles of small debris accumulate. let's consider simple arrangement diagram drip irrigation for a small area and calculate the amount of materials needed:
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in organizing a homemade irrigation system - the main thing is to correctly calculate the amount of necessary materials.
4. Homemade system of medical droppers
No less effective way irrigation is the use of ordinary medical droppers. Due to the fact that they are equipped with a special wheel, you can adjust the intensity of the liquid supply for each specific plant. To do this, you do not need to make several watering lines, which in turn can reduce the overall costs of organizing an irrigation system. Principle of operation almost identical to what is indicated in the paragraph above. Only instead of special drip hoses we will use ordinary rubber or polyethylene pipes. 
- Distribute supply pipes throughout the entire area;
- The wiring diagram should be such that you can reach all the plants;
- Use tees to connect elements;
- Now connect the entire system to a water source. This can be either a storage tank or a central water supply;
- Install plugs at the end of each hose;
- Now, opposite each bush, make a hole in the hose.
- It is most convenient to pierce rubber with an awl, and plastic -;
- The plastic end of the dropper must be inserted into each hole;
- Place dropper tubes under each bush and enjoy excellent results.
There are also easier way arrangement of an irrigation system from medical droppers. 
In this case, droppers will be used together with a liquid container:
- Install a support for hanging the dropper in the required place. It can serve as an ordinary stick;
- Fill the reservoir with liquid, secure it to the support;
- Medical systems with thick needles or medical hoses with a diameter of 1-2 cm are used as supply hoses;
- Insert needles diagonally into the main hose and place the ends of the tubes in the desired location.
It probably couldn’t be simpler. Droppers clog quite rarely, and even if this happens they are very easy to clean. TO shortcomings This can be attributed to the rapid overgrowing of the system by algae when it is exposed to direct sunlight. To avoid this, you can cover the structure with a dark cloth.
To extend the service life of any system, it is necessary to carry out the technical service. To do this you need:
- Clean the filter from accumulated debris once a week. In the future, you can do this less often if you see that between cleanings there is not enough time for a lot of deposits to accumulate.
- Before watering for the first time, be sure to flush the entire system.
- If you want to use fertilizers, you can add them directly to the storage container. Choose easily soluble compounds. After using up the entire volume of water with fertilizers, the system must be rinsed with clean water. To remove remaining impurities, just let it run for 10-15 minutes.
- If you want to dismantle the system in the fall, first rinse it thoroughly and dry it thoroughly.
- After this, carefully fold the hoses or tapes, cover them with cloth or place them in boxes.
To prevent small rodents from damaging the hoses, it is better to store them in a suspended state.
