Watering your garden with a hose is, in addition to being time-consuming, imprecise and not really economical. Drip irrigation systems, more autonomous and efficient, allow you to precisely water your crops in the garden and vegetable patch, as well as your potted plants and flowerbeds. When you decide to opt for this type of micro-irrigation, it can be difficult to choose between the different systems. How to choose the most suitable one for your land and how to install it? We take stock.
Every time you go on vacation, a question comes up for the happy owners of a garden? How to water it during a prolonged absence? Among the solutions to take care of your garden during the holidays and find it in great shape when you return: drip irrigation. What exactly does it consist of?
How does drip irrigation work?
The principle of drip irrigation is simple: bring water to the base of the plants via a pipe, or a set of several pipes, equipped with drippers. Drippers which are to be placed at the level of the plants, flowers or crops to be watered.
These drippers have different flow ratesto be chosen according to water needs. They can also have an adjustable flow rate, to adapt to each plantation. The drip irrigation system consists of a main pipe, the diameter of which generally varies between 13 and 20 mm. When this pipe is used to form a network, it is then connected to several other pipes via connectors. Pipes which are generally more flexible and of smaller diameters (4 to 6 mm most of the time).
To function, this micro-irrigation device needs to be connected to a water supply with a tap nozzle. Drip irrigation systems also include other accessories such as a pressure reducer, valves to connect the primary pipes, anti-scale and anti-impurity filters, but also plugs to close the ends of the line, as well as stakes to hold the assembly to the ground.
Other accessories complete the device, such as a programmer to automate the system and a humidity probe, the role of which is to enable precise adaptation of watering to actual needs.
The Many Benefits of Drip Irrigation
Why choose a drip system? Firstly, for the autonomy of this type of watering when it is equipped with a programmer. Installing a drip irrigation system allows you to go on holiday with peace of mind. In addition, although it can be pleasant to water your garden quietly in the evening or early in the morning, if the plot to be watered is large, this can quickly become tedious.
Contrary to what you might think at first glance, this watering system is not really complicated to install and it allows you to regularly bring water to the garden and vegetable patch; enough to avoid drying out due to forgetting to water.
Drip irrigation is also more economicalsince by delivering water precisely to the foot of the plantations, the waste caused by less precise watering is avoided. In addition, this type oflow pressure watering helps prevent damage to certain fragile plants, as can be done by more energetic watering. It also prevents humidifying the aerial parts of the plantations, as feared by certain vegetable garden crops or ornamental plants.
Also read: Watering the garden and vegetable patch during periods of water restriction – 8 tips
The different drip irrigation systems
Pour install a drip irrigation system in your garden or vegetable patchtwo solutions are generally available to you: opt for a drip kit or a device to compose, made to measure.
Drip irrigation kit: to be reserved for planters and pots on the terrace?
Drip irrigation systems in kits generally offer a minimum pressure to water your plants. They are easy to assemble and can be connected to a water container such as a rainwater collector or a watering circuit. Drip irrigation kits can also be used to water the plants in a flower bed, a clump or a vegetable garden in a row.
But when the configuration of your garden is more complex than linear, the drip systems offered in kit form are not very suitable. It is then better to turn to a custom-made watering system, to be composed yourself.
Custom-made drip irrigation: a system best suited to both gardens and vegetable patches
By choosing a custom drip irrigation systemyou can create an irrigation network that is completely adapted to the layout of your garden or vegetable patch. Before going to the garden center to get the necessary equipment, you will need a watering plan which will allow you to know exactly what you will need. Number of secondary pipes, fittings, drippers… Go around your garden and draw up your own watering plan.
For a custom drip irrigationyou will needa tuyau PE (polyethylene) specific to drip irrigation, the length of which you will choose according to your plan. The diameter of the pipe should be chosen taking into account the desired flow rate. Also depending on the composition of your garden or vegetable patch, you will need a certain number of microduct pipeswith diameters smaller than that of the main one, which will be used to build the secondary network. You will also need connections to build this secondary irrigation network, to choose in tee or cross to create derivations, or in elbow for the angles. It’s up to you to choose them according to your irrigation plan.
Please note that the most common grooved fittings are perfect for a low pressure device (2 bars maximum). You can then secure them using hose clamps. However, if you want a higher pressure in your network, prefer to opt for compression fittings, which are more watertight. Ring fittings are the guarantee of an ultra-resistant result.
Tips: Remember that the larger your drip irrigation system is, the more pressure you will need to consider. In addition, systems connected to a water supply rather than a water container will also benefit from greater pressure and a larger water volume. As for pump-fed drip systems, their water volume will be more limited. They are therefore best reserved for vegetable patches, small flowerbeds or potted plants.
Finally, the entire device must be connected to the water network with a tap nose type fitting.
The different types of drippers
In garden centers and specialty stores, you will also find various types of drippers. Classic drippers, but also adjustable dripperswhich allow you to regulate the flow rate according to each plant. It’s up to you to see if your plantations are more homogeneous, requiring the same watering flow rate, or if they have more diverse needs. As for to self-regulating drippersthey are able to adapt themselves to the water needs of your plants, for even more autonomy.
Also read: Watering plants during the holidays: our easy tips!
Install your own drip irrigation system
While installing a drip irrigation kit is easy, installing a custom drip irrigation system is a bit more time-consuming. Here are some tips to make it easier:
- Remember to plan in advance the necessary water flow, but also the length of each pipe and the location of the drippers.
- Then start by installing the tap nozzle, which you will choose to equip with a programmer if necessary, especially if you are going on vacation.
- You can then deploy the primary drip pipe, which you will cut at the desired location before sealing the end with a suitable cap.
- If branches are planned, arrange the fittings and connectors according to your plan. The secondary pipes can then be connected.
- All you have to do is install the drippers in the desired locations, by drilling the pipes with a drilling handle.
- Each end of the watering line must also be sealed with a cap suitable for the pressure.
- Finally, secure the drip irrigation system to the ground using fixing stakes.
Article updated
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Source: www.consoglobe.com
