DIY drip irrigation is the cheapest and most sustainable way to water plants. Drip irrigation directs water through small holes called emitters into a network of hoses or pipes, rather than distributing it through sprinklers or hoses. This brings water closer to the plants' root system, reducing water waste, controlling weeds and promoting plant growth. Below you will find out how you can build drip irrigation for your garden yourself!
Advantages of homemade drip irrigation
Drip irrigation is more efficientType of irrigationof crops, gardens and even potted plants and can be installed by homeowners themselves at a relatively low cost. With 25-50% less water use compared to sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation allows homeowners to reduce their water bills, time water use, and regulate application. Compared to indiscriminately watering a field or garden, drip irrigation allows more water to reach the desired plants. Applying water slowly results in less evaporation and runoff as nutrients are delivered directly to the root zone.
What do you need for the DIY garden project
Tools
1 drill, pins or distribution tool
1 garden hose
1 hose cap
Optional materials
1 timer (for timing water delivery)
1 to 20 stakes (to hold the hose in place)
1 to 10 tees or hose separators (to direct water flow into different hoses)
1 backflow preventer (to prevent water from flowing back into the water supply)
1 to 10 clamps (for attaching hoses to tees and backflow preventers)
1 bag filter (to keep irrigation lines clean)
1 pressure regulator (to reduce incoming water pressure to avoid hose breaks)
While complex drip irrigation systems cover entire agricultural fields with underground or above-ground hose or pipe networkscan irrigate, you can easily and inexpensively build your own drip irrigation system for your garden.
- Position the garden hose: Lay a garden hose around the plants.
- Attach hose cap: Attach a hose cap to the end of the hose.
- Create exit holes: Drill or punch small irrigation holes in the hose at the desired locations. Make sure you only drill through one side of the hose.
- Optional: Use a backflow prevention valve: Install a backflow preventer on the faucet to prevent water from flowing back into the water supply.
- Connect your system: Connect the hose to the faucet or backflow preventer.
- Turn on the water: Turn on the water slowly until the desired pressure is reached.
- Options: Consider a timer and pressure regulator for your drip irrigation system.
More tips and options for a successful irrigation system
- You can create a more complicated network of hoses by attaching tees or hose separators as connection points between multiple hoses; Another option is to cut sections of your original hose to reroute the water supply through multiple paths. If using tees, clamp the hoses to each tee. Make sure you use stainless steel clamps.
- The older your hose or the longer or more complicated your network, the more likely you should install a pressure control valve between the faucet and the hose. This reduces pressure in the network, especially at joints where clamps can become loose or break.
- Make a fabric cover for your hose to distribute water more slowly and evenly. Sew a tube together from scraps of fabric or canvas that you can put over your tube at the exit points.
- Make metal stakes to secure the hose. Use wire cutters to cut old hangers into pieces, then use pliers to bend them into U-shaped rods.
- Especially if your hose network is buried under mulch or soil, you should flush the system at the beginning and end of each growing season by removing the hose caps and turning on the water. Place the spray nozzles less than one meter from theplants to be irrigatedremoved. Cover the hose with mulch to reduce evaporation. Poke the holes at a distance of no more than 15-20 cm so that the hose does not tear.
- Infrequent, complete watering is more efficient than frequent but shorter watering. This saves water, reduces evaporation and increases the amount of water reaching the plant roots.
- Unless it is damaged beyond use, you should reuse an old garden hose if you have one.
Frequently asked questions
Where can a drip irrigation system be used?
Drip irrigation is suitable for new or existing gardens such as vegetable gardens, flower beds, trees and shrubs.
Are there any disadvantages to drip irrigation?
Because the water from a drip irrigation system appears at or below ground level, it can be difficult to see if the system is working. It is important to regularly check the system for breaks or cracks and monitor the plants for signs of stress due to inadequate watering.
