Automatic watering: how it works, advantages, installation
Content:
Watering is necessary for any growing seedling in any area, cottage and garden. This is such a necessary care measure that, neglecting it, you can lose the entire crop. Therefore, you have to regularly visit the summer cottage, which is very difficult. Especially if the house is far enough away or you are going to leave on some kind of planned vacation. Here automatic watering will come to the rescue. Read more about it in this article.
Automatic watering: system description
The automatic irrigation system is designed for use in greenhouses, garden beds, flower beds and entire plantations. This system is also used for watering lawns. By the way, automatic irrigation has long been used at every site in the West.
The basis of the automatic irrigation system is a hose with holes. Thus, the incoming water is distributed unobtrusively and evenly over the entire planted area. Considering that there will be not a jet, but droplets of water, you do not have to worry about the uniformity of moisture distribution and the fact that all the water will be absorbed deep into the ground. So in about a couple of hours, you can moisten the earth from one hole, with a radius of about 15 cm.
The system responsible for the functioning of the valves helps to control the water pressure.
Now such automatic irrigation systems have been developed that can control both air humidity and other climatic indicators. This device can be programmed in such a way that the system will water the area, maybe twice, or maybe a certain time, using a different irrigation mode from drops to rain.
In addition, you can adjust the temperature of the water, as well as add a fertilizer solution to it. In addition, the jet can be directed at different angles.
Automatic irrigation system: advantages
All this is very convenient and, it would seem, is simply necessary, since it completely frees you from visiting the site. The watering system has long been popular among gardeners. And it is no coincidence, because there are a lot of advantages here:
- there is a constant watering of plants specified by you;
- moisture spreads very evenly over the area;
- there is no dust and dirt on the site, because it is constantly nailed down by water;
- the air is humid, clean and cool;
- the system is easy to install and use, plus it saves water quite well;
- the main advantage is that your plants will be watered without your participation.
While the automatic irrigation system is looking after your plot, you can go about your business or not come at all. In addition to being able to do your job on its own, the system can do it even better because it uses water efficiently.
Do-it-yourself automatic drip irrigation: installation of the structure
Automatic watering is designed so that it will not spoil the view, even if you have the most modern and trendy site design. The irrigation system is practically invisible.
Water comes either from a common water supply or from a well that is located on your site.
To ensure the smooth operation of an automatic irrigation system, it is necessary to consult a specialist, despite the ease of installation.
But you can still try doing it yourself.
It is important to know the site layout, the composition of the soil, as well as the design of buildings. You need to find out where the water sources are. And also know exactly the size of the site and the location of the vegetation.
It is very important what kind of water will be used by the automatic irrigation system and the installation of filters, as unsuitable water can immediately ruin the entire irrigation system.
In order to install an automatic watering system, you need the following tools:
- Mini pump. It is important that it is powerful. A pump used in aquariums works well for this;
- Opaque hose;
- All kinds of tees and fittings;
- Timer and taps.
If you bought a ready-made automatic irrigation system, then an instruction is attached to it, following which you can easily assemble the system.
You should draw up and draw a layout of the site where you will have an automatic irrigation system, marking on it the place where the water supply is located, as well as possible slopes.
It is also necessary to put a large tank or barrel, where the water will be heated during the day, so that watering is carried out with warm water. So, for example, cucumbers should not be watered with cold water at all.
Next, the pipes themselves or the hose are laid. You can do this either on top of the soil, or bury it, or, on the contrary, raise it on supports. Here, whichever you like best. Further, based on the location of the plants, it is necessary to calculate the drip tape. Then the starter is installed. It is necessary to make holes in the main pipe, no more than 15 mm, and mount a starter with seals in them. It is important - how to put on the hose and cut off the excess edges. Next, you need to put controllers who will be responsible for the amount of water used.
After the automatic irrigation system is assembled, you can start the experiment.
If you did everything correctly, then it will be quite easy for you to master this system by programming the necessary parameters. Typically, the program is designed so that watering occurs at night. Thus, this time for watering is optimal for the plants, and watering will not interfere with you during the day.
Automatic irrigation can be checked only a couple of times during the entire season.
Preparing an automatic watering system for winter
It is very important to prepare the automatic watering system for winter so that the low temperature does not ruin everything.
First, it is necessary to completely drain all the water and close the system so that rain or snow does not fall on other elements of the pipes. The pump and other important parts should be removed from the main element and stored in a dry place. The hoses must also be removed, cleaned, dried and, if rolled up, stored in a garage or some other suitable place. In the spring, the system is reassembled and its serviceability is checked, while unscrewing the plugs on the dropper.
Troubleshooting
You can see any shortcomings here. Maybe some parts need to be cleaned, or the integrity of the structure is broken. The system can also break down for several more reasons:
- If dirt, sand, stones or fertilizer residues have got into it. Filters that need to be changed regularly will help to solve the problem;
- If the water is too hard, it can also damage the mechanism of the system. Here special additives will come to the rescue, which are added directly to the water;
- You should also flush the system with a chlorinated solution to clean it of the waste products of microorganisms.
If all of the above rules are followed, then the automatic irrigation system will serve you for many years, thereby making your work easier. At the same time, the plants will grow and delight you.Automatic watering will help you use water sparingly, and you will not have to worry about leaving your area unattended during your vacation.