A universal and low-cost method of irrigation is increasing the number of its supporters every day. Today we will talk about how to make drip irrigation in a greenhouse with your own hands and how to use this irrigation technique correctly.
Spot watering will increase the productivity of beds several times Contents of the article
1 What does drip irrigation provide for a greenhouse?
2 Effective types watering the garden
3 Pros and cons of drip irrigation in a greenhouse
4 Drip irrigation: what does the system consist of?
4.1 How to choose the right tapes for drip irrigation
4.2 What are start connectors for drip irrigation and how to use them
4.3 An important element of the system: drippers for irrigation
5 Automatic types of drip irrigation, where they can be purchased
5.1 Drip irrigation system for the “Zhuk” greenhouse: features and cost
5.2 Set of automatic drip irrigation “Aquadusya”
5.3 Drip irrigation kits in a greenhouse: reviews of popular models
6 How to make your own drip irrigation system for a greenhouse
6.1 Installation diagram for drip irrigation in a greenhouse: what is important to remember
6.2 Requirements for the main pipe for drip irrigation
6.3 Venturi injector or plant feeding unit
6.4 Using filters for drip irrigation
7 How to make automatic watering in a greenhouse
8 All the most important things about materials for drip irrigation
9 Nuances of drip irrigation
10 Drip irrigation in a greenhouse: video instructions
What does drip irrigation provide for a greenhouse?
There is a lot of talk about the benefits of drip moistening the soil. This watering device is effective and convenient in greenhouses and open ground. This type of irrigation increases the useful water consumption to almost one hundred percent. For which crops can spot irrigation be used? Full soil moisture is beneficial for tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables; flower beds in the garden will delight you with flowers and fresh herbs.
Drip irrigation tubes can lie on the surface or be located under the top layer of soil
Facts for those who doubt whether a spot watering method is needed for the garden:
the commercial output of tomatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, carrots and other vegetables increases by almost ninety percent;
water consumption for irrigation is reduced by half, you can clearly regulate how much to water;
plantings in the garden are less susceptible to disease;
fertilizers are delivered directly to the roots of plants, which increases their effectiveness several times.
For your information! Drip irrigation significantly saves water consumption. It will be indispensable in areas with low pressure in the water supply. The system can even operate by gravity; to do this, you will need to install a storage tank (barrel) on the site and throw hoses from it to the beds.
In this material we will try to figure out how to make a drip irrigation system, how to assemble it with your own hands and how to choose components of suitable quality from manufacturers for irrigation. We will find out how much water which plants need, what kind of pump is needed to operate the system, whether a filter is needed and what pressure needs to be maintained in the pipes. In conclusion, we will tell you how to use spot irrigation and how to properly care for the structure.
The photo shows an example of the system:
Spot irrigation system
Effective types of watering in the garden
In the list of the most popular methods of watering plants, sprinkling takes first place. Such systems do not require special investments and are very easy to use. They consist of a hose and a sprayer (sprinkler). In addition to the manual method of watering, there are also devices for automatic sprinkling. There are types of sprinklers that rotate around an axis and thus cover a large irrigation radius. They are also called sprinklers.
For automatic installation, you will need a small pump that maintains a stable water pressure
For your information! A pump for pumping water into a garden irrigation system is installed at a well or borehole. There are units that connect directly to the water tap and create increased pressure, pumping out its contents.
To moisten the soil at the roots of trees, a subsurface irrigation system is more effective. A targeted drip supply of moisture directly to the root system will have a beneficial effect on the plants in the greenhouse. This type of watering can also be automated.
We have listed the main types of field irrigation, but modern manufacturers are offering more and more new complexes that use latest systems automation. They use sensors that measure soil moisture and precipitation, drain valves and programmable timers.
Such complexes will not be cheap, but they will completely free you from worry.
It is quite possible to make a watering mechanism yourself. There are various types of hoses and all components of automated systems on sale.
Pros and cons of drip irrigation in a greenhouse
Any plant care system has its disadvantages and advantages. Drip irrigation is no exception.
Reducing water consumption by half compared to sprinkling. The drip irrigation technique was first invented and tested in Israel, where water is of great value.
The system's droppers are constantly becoming clogged. To resolve this issue, you must use filtering.
Another advantage is a significant increase in yield. Spot watering is especially useful for tomatoes and cucumbers.
With the help of such irrigation, it is possible in a greenhouse to deliver nutrients and fertilizers directly to the roots of plants. In addition, pest control agents can be added using this method; they will be extremely effective.
Thin drip lines are often damaged by rodents or pets.
Drip irrigation prevents the formation of a hard crust on the soil surface. Loose soil allows oxygen to pass through, which is essential for plant roots.
Watering can be carried out even on hot sunny days, without fear that drops of water will lead to burns on the leaves.
The service life of the spot irrigation set is no more than two years. Afterwards you will have to buy a new one.
With point irrigation, it is possible to regulate temperature regime and water the plants warm water, avoiding shock.
The system can operate even in the absence of pressure in the water supply.
System installation requires financial investments, as well as its timely updating.
Drip irrigation significantly saves time and effort.
Drip irrigation: what does the system consist of?
All elements of a point irrigation system can be purchased separately and assembled with your own hands:
Drippers or drip tapes - provide a gradual supply of moisture to the roots of plants. Droppers can be non-separable or collapsible (the latter are convenient for cleaning). In some versions, they have adjustments that allow you to control the intensity of watering.
Supply hose - supplies water to the systems.
Switching taps - connect and disconnect water in different directions of the system.
Masterblock is a device with a set of filters and a pressure regulator.
Important! Before purchasing materials for drip irrigation, it is necessary to make careful calculations, or even better, draw a diagram of the entire system. This way you can save a lot on materials.
How to choose the right tapes for drip irrigation
There are three main types of drip tapes:
tape Labyrinth;
emitter type tape;
slot tape.
Let's look at each of these types:
Types of watering tapes
Description
Labyrinth
Labyrinthine channels are formed on the tape material. They reduce the speed of water flow. Labyrinthine canals are very fragile and are easily damaged during installation. In addition, it is important to know how to properly lay such watering hoses.
In this option, labyrinth partitions are not located along the entire length of the hose, but in places where there are laser-cut exits. Installation of such a system is much simpler. Please note that a slot system requires good filtration. Such a device can be inexpensively installed with your own hands.
Emitter
This tape irrigation uses individual drippers built into the hose. They practically do not become clogged during operation due to the self-cleaning process. This quality directly affects the price of the product. Their production requires significant costs. An example of such material is Tuboflex tapes.
Answering the question of which drip tape is better is not easy. User opinions in reviews vary. The choice in most cases depends on the financial capabilities of the summer resident. And yet, many consider emitter hoses to be the best, despite their decent cost.
For your information! A little about the characteristics of the water supply channel. The tapes are available in two standard diameters - 16 and 22 millimeters. The most commonly used hose is 16mm in diameter. Its maximum working length is two hundred and fifty meters. When calculating the length of the drip tape, it should be taken into account that twenty-two-millimeter hoses cannot have a length of more than four hundred and fifty meters.
The strength of the tape depends on the thickness of the material. It ranges from 0.125 mm to 0.4 mm.
The thicker the material, the better the system resists possible mechanical damage.
Advice! If you plan to use the tape for one season, purchase material with maximum wall thickness.
The distance between the emitters is also important factor when choosing. For different types When planting, the correct number of outlets should be selected. Carrots, onion sets and other densely planted crops need tapes with closely spaced emitters. Tomatoes, cucumbers and other plants planted at a large distance will benefit from a tape with a distance between holes of 30 centimeters or more. How to lay tapes and what distance between tapes must be maintained in the following video:
For your information! A hole pitch of 10 to 20 centimeters is used for watering sandy soils and, if necessary, wetting plantings in a continuous line. Thirty-centimeter distances are suitable for planting potatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Forty centimeters and more - for melons.
How to select the moisture consumption of the emitter:
Moisture consumption
Description
0.6 - 0.8 liters per hour Requires careful filtration of water and is suitable for soil with slow absorption.
1 - 1.5 liters per hour Standard hole size to suit different conditions.
2 - 3.8 liters per hour Suitable for sandy soil and plants with a strong root system. Little clogs.
How to mount pieces of tape together? How to connect a water control and supply system to it? Fittings will be required for this purpose. They are selected according to the diameter of the tape.
One last thing: how much does the tape cost? Its price starts from three rubles per meter and can reach ten to fifteen rubles. Tapes are sold in coils by the meter.
What are start connectors for drip irrigation and how to use them
The starting connector is also called a fitting. It serves to connect parts of the irrigation system into one whole. You can buy connectors with a tap, rotating, branched. All these parts are necessary for installation.
Start connector
Advice! Before purchasing fittings, draw up a connection diagram for all parts of the drip irrigation structure. Mark the places where the starting valve, splitter and other elements should be located.
Fitting connection options:
Fitting connection options
Description
Threaded connectors are designed to connect to standard water pipes with ¾ or ½ threads.
Designed to connect the system with PVC pipes or soft hose. Especially in demand by summer residents, as they are used as a temporary connection
Connector for connecting PVC pipes of the same diameter
With seal
Suitable for connection through a hole drilled in the pipe wall. Equipped with a rubber sealing ring.
All fittings listed are suitable for the Tuboflex system and other spot irrigation kits.
Connector with tap, the operating principle is very simple
An important element of the system: drippers for irrigation
The main thing in spot watering is a dropper, which directly supplies moisture to the roots of plants. This element of the system is mounted in a tape or hose.
Important! Installing droppers with your own hands means that each of them will be directed directly to the roots of flowers and vegetable crops.
Over time, any dripper becomes clogged and tiny particles of soil fall into the hole. If the device can be disassembled, do periodic cleaning. If not, you can try to blow out the system with an air pump.
Types of drippers in greenhouses:
Types of droppers
Description
Adjustable
They have a removable lid for cleaning and regulate the flow of liquid from drops to streams.
Unregulated
An irrigation system from drippers of this type does not make it possible to increase or decrease the liquid supply according to at will. The intensity of irrigation depends only on the pressure in the pipes. For uniform watering it is necessary to use compensators.
Compensated
The complex design of such drippers with silicone membranes makes it possible to consume a strictly defined amount of moisture, regardless of the pressure in the water supply.
Uncompensated
They are based on a regular labyrinth, which reduces the speed of passage of the water flow.
All these devices can be used for drip irrigation of indoor plants, greenhouse crops and open ground plantings.
You can find dropper sets on sale
Basic principles for selecting droppers:
they should be easy to clean from clogging. Removable caps are very convenient; they allow you to quickly and easily return the IV to service;
The device's throughput is important. The bigger it is, the better. In this case, for cleaning it is enough to increase the liquid flow;
the use of high-quality polymers that do not react with chemical fertilizers.
You can make an external drip for irrigation yourself. Many gardeners use medical devices for these purposes; you can make a simple device from a plastic bottle. The price of a homemade device will be several times less, especially if you use available materials. The following video shows an example of how to make a drip irrigation system for cucumbers:
Automatic types of drip irrigation, where they can be purchased
An automatic self-watering system greatly facilitates the gardener’s work. Modern manufacturers offer the most best systems with timers, sensors and programmable controls. The price of the machine starts from two and a half thousand rubles. Where can I buy ready-made kits for greenhouses? They are offered by numerous online providers. There are systems for several greenhouses or irrigation of large areas. In this case, it is better to entrust the installation of the watering complex to professionals.
What is included in the irrigation complex and how the system works:
Component of the complex
Description
You can use water from a barrel or plastic tank. Such a container should contain a device for heating water. Plants in a greenhouse need warm water.
Controller
A device that turns on watering at the right time of day and regulates its intensity. This device effectively controls water consumption.
Sensor system
The devices control water heating, soil moisture and temperature conditions.
Pipe and dripper system
Directly supply water to the plants.
What is the best automatic watering system? For greenhouses made of polycarbonate or other materials, there are several options for automatic irrigation:
Drip point - protects plantings from the first frosts, optimally consumes moisture.
Sprinkling - water is supplied from above using special sprayers. This option is not bad for a greenhouse, but don’t expect any water savings in this case.
In-ground - requires large expenses for arrangement, since it is necessary to bury perforated pipes into the soil. Used in large greenhouse farms.
Which system to choose? In each case, the approach is purely individual. In-ground irrigation is considered more effective than spot irrigation, but requires greater costs; sprinkling reduces costs to a minimum, but is inferior in efficiency.
You can assemble automatic systems with your own hands; for this, all the elements necessary for installation are on sale. You can choose ready-made options from manufacturers, for example, Vodomerka or Gardena.
Advice! To decide on the automatic watering system that is most suitable for you, take the time to study the reviews that buyers post online. As a rule, it is in them that all the advantages and disadvantages of devices are objectively assessed.
Drip irrigation system for the Zhuk greenhouse: features and cost
The kit for the automatic watering system “Zhuk” is connected to a container of water. If necessary, you can take water not from a barrel, but directly from a water pipe. Installation of the device is extremely simple. To automate watering, you can install it with a timer; it is sold separately.
To securely secure the drippers, the watering kit contains special pegs. They will not only fix the tape, but also prevent it from twisting.
Non-toxic materials were used to manufacture system elements. You can buy such a set at a price of 1600 rubles. The timer will cost two and a half thousand. The device is designed to water six dozen plants in two beds.
Complete set of the "Beetle" system
Automatic drip irrigation set "Aquadusya"
The Aquadusya system can be used not only in greenhouses, but also in open ground. It is available in two versions: full automatic and semi-automatic. Currently, semi-automatic kits marked 60 and 50 have been discontinued and what is sold are remnants of batches. Modern Aquadusi models, Start and Water Tap, can work both without automation and with it. The difference between the Start and Water Tap models is that the first uses warm water from a barrel, and the second uses cold water from plumbing system. Greenhouse plants need warm water. Cold water can be used to water flowers and vegetables planted in open ground.
An automatic irrigation kit allows you to leave the area unattended for a week. This is very convenient for summer residents visiting country estates on weekends.
For your information! To pump water, Aquadusya uses a battery-powered pump. For this reason, there is no need to lift the container with liquid onto a high stand to ensure pressure.
The Start kit includes a float. If you install it on a water pipe going into a barrel, after filling the liquid supply will be stopped. The principle is the same as in the toilet cistern.
Among the advantages of this kit, users note that watering is carried out with settled water heated in the sun. All garden crops love this type of watering.
But Water Tap will only work if the pressure in the water pipe is at least 0.3 atmospheres, and this is not always possible, especially during the season.
Greenhouse drip irrigation kits: reviews of popular models
In the ranking of the most popular models according to Yandex Market, there are several inexpensive sets. We studied reviews of their work.
Beetle Beetle Aquadusia
Akvadusya
Water strider
Water strider
How to make your own drip irrigation system for a greenhouse
You can make a device for spot irrigation yourself. It's not as difficult as it seems. A homemade kit will cost much less than the factory version.
Tomato beds with homemade watering system
Some important tips for configuring and using equipment:
The reservoir for the watering system must be made of plastic. Metal barrels quickly rust, and the smallest particles of rust instantly clog the droppers.
The barrel should be filled with purified and filtered water. This way you will save yourself from the need to frequently clean the micro-irrigation system.
At least once every ten days, it is necessary to check the functioning of the system in the greenhouse and the cleanliness of the filters.
Dissolve fertilizers thoroughly before adding them to a container of water. After adding chemicals, the barrel and belts must be washed.
Disassemble the capillary irrigation kit for the winter.
How to make a device yourself? To work, you will need a drip tape, a tank, a water pipe, fittings for connecting the parts, a mortise tap, and a water filter.
The photo shows a diagram of the organization of self-watering:
Before installation, you need to decide where the water tank will be located. This is an important issue because the location of the tank affects the pressure in the belts. The higher the barrel stands, the faster its contents are consumed. Do not get carried away with high stands: on hot days the water will drain too quickly, and besides, a high stand will require additional installation efforts.
The tap for connection must be embedded not into the bottom of the barrel, but at a height of five to ten centimeters from the bottom. All sediment will accumulate there and will not fall into the drip irrigation.
After the tap it is necessary to install a filter. It will remove all the smallest particles and ensure normal operation of the droppers
Advice! Medical droppers can be used as nozzles for subsoil watering of tomatoes and other garden crops. The diameter of their tubes is only one and a half to two millimeters.
All that remains is to install the pipe for the main liquid supply and plug it at the ends.
Idea! If you still have questions about how to make the device yourself, try a mini-model that can be used in a greenhouse for seedlings.
If you do everything correctly, watering will work without your participation.
Installation diagram for drip irrigation in a greenhouse: what is important to remember
To irrigate plants in a greenhouse, the simplest system with one main channel and drippers connected to it is sufficient. The irrigation barrel can be located in the greenhouse itself or outside. The first option is convenient because on cool days the barrel cools down less. In the second, free access will be provided to the container, which will facilitate its timely cleaning and filling. So think carefully about how to install the tank. To estimate the minimum tank volume, multiply the area of the greenhouse by 20 (the required amount of water per square meter). For example, for a greenhouse with an area of 30 square meters, you will need to install a container with a volume of at least 600 liters.
Installation diagram
Advice! Use plastic pipes to organize the main channel.
The distance between the droppers in the diagram should be at least thirty centimeters. Drip irrigation lasts 2-3 hours a day. This is the time required to fully supply plant roots with moisture. If you leave watering for a longer period of time, the roots may rot.
Advice! The length of the drip lines should not be more than one meter.
To understand how to organize drip irrigation, develop a detailed drawing. Indicate on it all the joints, turns and fastenings.
Video example of how to properly do drip irrigation in a greenhouse:
Requirements for the main pipe for drip irrigation
HDPE pipes with a diameter of 32 or 16 mm are used as the main line. You can also make a line from PVC pipes or metal-plastic pipes. How to choose something most suitable? It is difficult to say which pipe is better, they are all quite strong, durable and excellent for irrigation. And their price is almost the same.
When deciding which diameter to choose, consider the size of the area being irrigated. In a greenhouse, it makes sense to make the main supply from polypropylene pipes of smaller diameter.
For summer watering of open ground summer cottage use a structure made of plastic pipes with a diameter of 32 mm. Practice tip! To easily insert pipe fittings, use a screwdriver and a wood drill for drilling. They do an excellent job with polyethylene pipes.
Before inserting the drip hose, rubber seals must be inserted into the drilled holes. Without them, the oozing hose will lose a lot of precious moisture.
How to make a main pipeline with your own hands in this video:
Venturi injector or plant feeding unit
Timely application of fertilizers is a condition for good yield. Scientifically, the process of applying fertilizers during irrigation is called fertigation, and the source from which dissolved chemicals are supplied to the roots of plants is called a fertigation unit or a feeding unit.
To apply fertilizers, you can choose periodic or continuous mode. The simplest calculation is a concentration of three to ten kilograms per hectare.
How to dose chemicals for drip irrigation? For this purpose you will need a fertilizer tank and a Venturi dispenser.
The dissolved chemicals are placed in a separate container. They enter the drip irrigation system in parallel with the main moisture, mixing with it. At first glance, the installation is very primitive. But how to choose the right proportion for mixing and maintain the required concentration?
The principle of operation of the Venturi injector lies in the specificity of the movement of liquid under a pressure difference. Water passing through the dispenser forms a vacuum, which carries the chemical solution with it. Thus, the two liquids are mixed in the main main channel and evenly flow to the roots of the plants. The injector can be connected to a 1" or 2" pipe. You can buy Venturi at any gardening store.
Dispenser device in the diagram:
The direction of the main flow is indicated by an arrow on the injector
For your information! The dispenser is made of chemical-resistant materials.
Another option for maintaining the necessary concentration of chemicals is the use of dosatron. This is a more advanced and accurate control system. It is not difficult to install it directly into a drip irrigation system with your own hands. There is a turbine inside the device, which is driven by liquid pressure in the pipeline. Dosetron adjustment is carried out only when it is installed. Further, the device does not need your attention. There are many videos on the Internet on how to properly use and install the dispenser.
Standalone battery-powered controllers are not always convenient. Their operating time is limited by battery life. On the other hand, network controllers are more expensive than battery controllers. Which one to use for irrigating beds from a barrel is up to you to decide.
Network automation is installed indoors, therefore, it will be necessary to install a drip irrigation installation line from the tank to the irrigation system through the house or utility unit.
Not everyone is ready for such expenses. You can make an automatic watering system with your own hands. To do this, a water tank is placed at an elevation sufficient to create the necessary pressure in the line.
Watering will occur by gravity, without your participation. The only thing you need to do is open and close the tap
All the most important things about drip irrigation materials
We have already talked about how to plan an irrigation system in a greenhouse. The water tank should be made of plastic and located on a high stand. In this case, the water will flow by gravity and you can do without a pump.
Advice! How to make a reliable stand for a tank with your own hands? For this purpose, it is better to use a columnar base or screw piles. Such a strong foundation will not allow a heavy barrel to tip over. Four screw piles are screwed to the required depth, connected with a grillage, on which, in turn, the platform for the container is mounted. In this option, even if you use a two thousand liter tank for water, you can be sure of its stable position.
A main pipe comes from the barrel, supplying liquid to the droppers. For this element of the system you need to buy plastic pipes. If the system provides for pumping water with a pump, it is installed at the very beginning of the main line. The feeding unit with an injector is also connected to the same line. For chemicals, a second container is installed next to the main tank. All this equipment is located on a common platform. You can assemble the components separately, but it’s easier to buy ready-made kits, which include injectors, nozzles, droppers and valves for the greenhouse.
If drip tapes are used for irrigation, they are connected to the main line using tees. You don't need any special tools for this job. Plastic fittings are easy to insert by hand.
Advice! To irrigate plants under covering material, it is better to use drip tape.
If drippers are used for irrigation, you will need a drill or screwdriver to connect them.
A drip irrigation system can also be made from scrap materials. What you need for this: plastic bottles. One container is used for one or two plants. Holes are made in the plastic using a thin awl. The bottle is buried next to the plant. Moisture gradually comes from plastic bottles to the roots. The photo shows a diagram of how to equip watering via bottles:
Drip irrigation from scrap materials
The disadvantage of such a device is that you will have to constantly fill the containers, and this is a rather labor-intensive task. With a barrel and drippers, you need to spend more time on installation, but the labor costs will quickly pay off in the complete absence of hassle with watering.
The nuances of drip irrigation
In order for the irrigation system to function properly, simple rules must be followed:
Water for irrigation should be as free of impurities as possible. You can use water from a well, natural reservoir or tap. If the intake comes from a lake or well, install the pump at an average depth, do not raise turbidity and silt from the bottom. Please note that natural reservoirs are inhabited by fry, eggs, larvae and algae, so no matter how clean the moisture may seem, it must be carefully filtered. It is justified to install several filters - at the inlet and outlet of water into the storage tank.
After assembling the irrigation device in the greenhouse, it is necessary to conduct a trial run and check the operation of the automation. Before starting, check the tightness of all connections; to do this, blow out the hoses and injectors with a pump.
After startup, determine the optimal operating time for the system. The most optimal operating mode is evening. During a sunny day, the water in the storage tank will warm up, watering will be carried out with warm moisture, the plants will appreciate it.
Once every seven to ten days, carry out preventative cleaning of the system using pressurized air pump.
That's all the operating principles of the drip irrigation complex.
Drip irrigation in a greenhouse: video instructions
Experienced summer residents organize drip irrigation with their own hands from plastic bottles for tomatoes, since water in the garden is an essential item.
Irrigation methods depend on the size of the plot and the number of growing vegetables. The most economical method is drip irrigation using flexible containers. It requires little water pressure and is used for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse.
Containers for creating an irrigation system
For do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles for tomatoes, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- flasks of various capacities;
- foam;
- awl or nail;
- scissors;
- supports for hanging bottles;
- flexible cocktail straws;
- toothpicks;
- scotch;
- sealant;
- burlap.
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse using a homemade device requires compliance with certain rules. 2-liter containers are most convenient for use. To water a large area you will need a 5 liter container.
To prevent water loss, you should make several holes in the bottle with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm. Gardeners note that during use, the flasks become clogged with soil particles, so they are wrapped in pieces of burlap.
To ensure watering of plants located in a small area, calculate the amount of flexible containers required. The correct ratio between the number of containers and the number of plants reduces water consumption and improves the quality of watering.
Gardeners use 1 flask to water 1 plant. The amount of liquid needed to irrigate tomatoes is calculated based on the type of soil, climatic conditions, watering frequency.
Moisture consumption increases in hot weather as intense evaporation occurs. The structure, made by yourself, is installed in the soil during planting of seedlings.
The bottle is buried in the ground at a distance of 15-20 cm from the seedlings. Watering with plastic containers does not damage even the shortest plants and ensures soil permeability of 30-40 cm.
Installing the sprayer with the cap down
Watering tomatoes begins by placing a plastic flask with small holes near the roots of the plant. The container is filled with settled water heated by the sun.
At a distance of 15 cm, dig a hole, insert a flexible container so that the lid is at the bottom, and sprinkle it with a small amount of earth.
Water enters the soil slowly and does not damage the seedlings. Experienced gardeners place the flask in a small nylon bag to prevent soil from penetrating into the hole in the plug.
Summer residents do not use drip irrigation if sandy soil predominates on the site, since the water quickly leaves the bottle. The flow of liquid is regulated by turning the flask to the side.
Water consumption is reduced if you mulch the soil around the plants with grass or black film. The rate at which liquid reaches the roots of the seedlings depends on the capacity of the bottle.
Adult plants are irrigated once a week in several doses. Drip irrigation protects tomatoes from late blight.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it becomes difficult to fill a bottle with water from a hose, since it has a diameter larger than the neck of the bottle.
Device Upgrade
Often gardeners improve their drip irrigation system. A plastic container is secured above the canister. If there is a significant consumption of liquid in the tank, it is possible to restore the water level using a bottle. Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse through plastic bottles is not used for tall plants.
A 5 liter bottle is installed under the tomato bushes in the greenhouse, into which water comes from a barrel. Several holes with a diameter of 1-2 mm are burned in the container using a nail. A plastic container is dug into the ground.
The needle from the blood transfusion system is inserted into the lid of the flask, and it is secured from the inside with a plaster. Fill the container with water and screw the lid tightly on.
Amateur summer residents use a long plastic nozzle for a bottle irrigation system. In this case, there is no need to bury containers of water in the ground.
Plastic bottles are sometimes placed in the soil with their necks facing up. If you cut off the bottom of the bottle, you must not remove it completely, and then use it as a cap to prevent the evaporation of the liquid.
Root watering
To irrigate tomatoes, 2 liter containers are often used. Watering is carried out once a week, since excessive amounts of moisture lead to the death of seedlings. 3-4 bottles of water are poured under each bush once every 7 days.
IN greenhouse conditions plants absorb not only moisture well, but also mineral fertilizers. With drip irrigation, the air in the greenhouse is dry, tomatoes are not affected by late blight.
During the period of intensive growth of tomatoes, without waiting for signs of disease to appear, watering is reduced. Intrasoil drip irrigation in a greenhouse keeps the surface of the beds dry and protects tomatoes from diseases.
Young plants are irrigated as the surface dries, since the seedlings have small roots. In a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is watered abundantly during the planting period. During fruit formation, the volume of water for irrigation is 12 liters per m², the procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week.
Hanging system
For drip irrigation of tomatoes through plastic bottles, containers attached to a support are used. The bottom of the flask is removed, and several holes are pierced in the cork to ensure water flows into the soil.
Gardeners install slingshot-shaped supports on both sides of the garden bed. A crossbar is placed between the holders. The bottle of water is secured by turning the neck down. The soil is covered with polyethylene oilcloth to protect it from washing out.
Water from the flexible container falls on the protective layer and then penetrates into the soil. A hanging system made from plastic bottles helps control weeds as the soil is dry and the seeds dangerous plants are dying.
If the containers are suspended above the tomato seedlings, small holes are pierced at the bottom and top of the jar. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get on the leaves, as the seedlings may die.
For a suspended irrigation system, the diameter of the holes should not exceed 1.5 mm, otherwise the water consumption will double.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The drip system for watering plants has proven itself well, since even novice gardeners enjoy its benefits.
It’s easy to make a device with your own hands without having special knowledge. The irrigation system does not require large financial costs. The design is reliable in operation, reduces water consumption and improves uniformity of watering.
A do-it-yourself drip system is not without certain disadvantages. It is not used for watering a large area occupied by tomatoes.
A device made of plastic bottles is not suitable for regular and abundant watering of vegetables. It is used only for irrigating tomatoes in greenhouses.
Water supplied pointwise affects the development of the root system, causing its compaction and dysfunction. It is not recommended to use the system on loamy soils, since the holes in the bottles become clogged with soil.
Some gardeners are wary of interaction harmful substances with the soil, so do not use plastic jars to irrigate tomatoes.
The use of drip irrigation gives the gardener many advantages, and experience in its use allows one to obtain high yields of tomatoes.
Growing tomatoes is very hard work. The main problem of this matter is that there is almost always not enough time to come and water the tomatoes, so some craftsmen came up with an original, life-saving method - watering tomatoes in a greenhouse through plastic bottles. This method will help save water, will not harm the soil and will not allow moisture to get on the leaves. Now we will look at how to organize such a system in your greenhouse without any costs, including time and effort.
Knowledgeable people recommend installing an irrigation system at the time of planting tomato seedlings. Why is this necessary? The fact is that when the bushes more or less grow, the installed bottles for drip irrigation may touch the roots of the plant, which will also grow. List of required tools:
- Plastic bottles, the volume of which should be 2-2.5 liters.
- Hand drill.
- Small diameter drill (2 millimeters).
- Knife or scissors (sharp).
Some may not understand the point of having a drill on this list, but it’s simple. Using it you will make holes in the lid. They will need to be made from 3 to 4 pieces, it all depends on the type of soil. If there are few holes, the liquid flows out very slowly. By the way, if you don’t have a drill, it doesn’t matter; you can safely use a hot nail of small diameter. You need to hold it with pliers and heat the nail over the column of the gas stove so that it turns red. After this, you can easily make holes in the plastic with it.
- Wash it thoroughly and remove the sticker, if any.
- Next, using a knife or scissors, you need to cut the bottle. This is done just above the dividing strip.
- Try not to cut off the bottom completely, as it can act as a hinged lid that will protect the water from drying out.
How to install the system correctly
There are several good ways. Let's start with the one that is used most often. So, if the bottle is ready, it needs to be buried in the ground to a depth of 10-15 centimeters. For better irrigation, you need to install the container directly near the root. However, it is worth considering that this is only possible if the system is installed together with the planting of seedlings. Otherwise, you can dig in the bottle at a distance of at least 15 cm from the trunk of the bush.
It must be taken into account that wet soil will clog into the holes of the plug and watering will quickly stop. To avoid this, you should tighten the cap on the outside of the bottle with a nylon stocking or place a piece of burlap on the bottom of the hole. The lid must be screwed on well, then the bottle must be placed in the ground, but at an angle. All that remains is to fill the hole with earth. Next, fill the container with water to begin watering. Please note that the water should be used gradually so that it lasts for several days. If the liquid pours out quickly, you need to reduce the diameter of the holes. During summer, especially dry summer, one plant should receive a glass of water per day. If everything is done correctly, water will need to be added about once a week.
Now let's discuss another original method. Its essence is that holes are made throughout the bottle in 5-6 rows at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Next, the container needs to be buried, placing it in a vertical position in the same hole along with the seedlings. The method is slightly inconvenient, because you need to fill the bottles through a narrow neck, but it also has its advantages, for example, the water does not evaporate, since almost the entire bottle is in the ground, and the container will not fall or be blown away by the wind.
Watering through straws
There is one more method that is used less often than the previous two, but has its place. To organize a watering system, you should find pen refills from which the writing unit and ink residues are removed, or you can use narrow-diameter cocktail tubes. The system is installed in the following way:
- The rod is washed well, there should be no ink left in it.
- One side needs to be plugged with something, for example, a match or a piece of wood.
- Next, you should go down 1 cm from the plug and pierce a hole. The free end is inserted into the bottle, which is previously buried in the ground. The rod is brought directly to the soil.
- Where the connection between the tube and the rod occurs must be covered with plasticine.
- The tube should be brought directly to the stem so that drops of water fall on the root system. If the water pressure coming out of the tube is too weak, you should slightly increase the size of the hole, making it wider. This is not always possible, then you need to use a new tube.
This method may take a little more time and effort than all the previous ones, so it is not as popular. It is necessary to look for the rods, wash them of ink, and close one side. However, if you use straws for cocktails, it is still easier, since all you have to do is plug one of the sides and create a hole.
The advantages of this method of watering
Now let’s look at the advantages of do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles for tomatoes:
- The most important thing is that you don’t need to spend money, the method is accessible to absolutely everyone.
- Simplicity. Installing an irrigation system in this way will take very little time and effort.
- You can organize the flow of fertilizers dissolved in water directly to the roots.
- You don’t have to constantly water the plants; you can safely leave them for a week and not worry.
- Protection against fungal diseases that form due to excess soil moisture.
- There is no need to loosen or soften the soil.
- Watering will take place with warm water, since while in the bottle the liquid will warm up to ambient temperature.
- The watering method is universal. It is great for cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
Please note that you do not need to use this method for plants whose roots are fruits. When using watering tomatoes through plastic bottles in greenhouses, you should not completely forget about manual watering, since sometimes it is still worth irrigating the leaves, this is useful.
It is allowed to use the drip irrigation method with plastic bottles and in open ground for peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and other things. It is recommended to irrigate tomatoes only in this way, since they really do not like large amounts of moisture. If you use the system for eggplants and peppers, it won’t hurt to water them extra, as they love moisture very much.
It is also recommended to install under cucumbers, watering from bottles. In addition, they need to be watered additionally from a watering can, since they love moisture. However, if you forget to water them for one day, they can survive it, because sometimes there is no time to water at all or it slips out of your head.
Conclusion
So we looked at several ways to do do-it-yourself drip irrigation of tomatoes using bottles. Surely many people do not want to spend money on special ready-made systems, and they will like this method. The costs for it will be minimal, and often they are completely absent. You no longer have to constantly come to the greenhouses and water the seedlings, as this will happen automatically within a week.
Before the seedlings sprout, the soil is sprayed with water once a day and covered with film. Subsequently, the film is removed and the seedlings are watered 1-2 times a week.
Optimal temperature water for tomato seedlings – 20-25°C. Some gardeners heat the water and then dilute it with colder water. But when water boils, it loses the oxygen needed by plants. Therefore, it is better to let the water stand in a warm place for some time in order to warm up on its own. room temperature.
Depending on the stage of development, a tomato needs different amounts of moisture. When transplanting seedlings into a greenhouse, water each hole (4-5 l), and leave the plants for 10 days to take root. First, organic fertilizer (compost or humus with the addition of wood ash) is placed in each hole.
After 7 days, the seedlings begin active growth and need regular and abundant watering. A weak root system itself is not able to obtain moisture from the soil, so before the formation of flower stalks, irrigation is carried out twice a week at the rate of 2-3 liters per bush.
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse once a month is combined with the application of mineral fertilizers: 15 g of potassium, 25 g of nitrogen-containing and 40 g of phosphorus are dissolved in 10 liters of water. The consumption rate is 1 liter per bush.
When the flower stalks are already formed, the frequency of watering is reduced to once a week, but the volume is increased to 5 liters of water per bush. Watering is alternated with the application of fertilizers (1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate, 0.5 liters of chicken manure and 0.5 liters of mullein per 10 liters of water) at the rate of 1.5 liters per plant.
With the beginning of fruiting, the frequency of irrigation is increased to twice a week, and to improve taste qualities and speed up the ripening of tomatoes add 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 1 tbsp. l. liquid sodium humate dissolved in 10 liters of water. When the tomato turns red, watering is reduced to once every seven days, and completely stopped 20 days before harvesting.
Read our article about what else you can feed tomatoes to get maximum yield.
Organization of irrigation in the greenhouse.
During fruit formation, tomato bushes are watered abundantly (20 liters per 1 sq.m.) as the soil dries. However, this increases the air humidity in the greenhouse, which is not very pleasant for the plants. Ventilation, as a rule, does not allow maintaining constant humidity at the level of 45-65%. In this case, you can use a drip irrigation system with a centralized water supply or using plastic bottles that feed each plant individually.
The use of drippers for irrigation allows you to ensure uniform flow and movement of water at any point in the system by creating the same pressure. You can set the volume of water that flows from the structures yourself.
The droppers are placed directly next to the beds, so the liquid is directed in even streams directly to the roots.
Installing such a system in a greenhouse with your own hands is not an insurmountable task and does not require special skills and abilities. Using the system in greenhouse conditions solves the problem of weed removal due to the direction of water flows strictly for their intended purpose.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse as an irrigation method has evolved from devices built into the hose to droppers that are located inside the hose. These are so-called compensation systems that make it possible to organize irrigation in areas with difficult terrain.
The main types of drippers today are catif and supertif. Their differences are that catif is used in elastic hoses with a wall thickness not exceeding 1.5 cm, and supertif allows you to organize high-precision watering of several bushes using a special device for branching water flows.
For the full development of tomato bushes in greenhouse conditions, it is necessary to maintain soil moisture at 90%, and ambient air humidity should be 50-60%.
If the degree of soil moisture can be determined mechanically by simply squeezing a handful of soil in your hand and at the same time it will become slightly compacted, then to determine the dryness of the air the gardener will need a hygrometer.
We should not forget about the quality of water for irrigation.
Water temperature
Do not water tomatoes with cold water, directly from a well or water pipe. Sudden changes in temperature cause stress in plants, which can cause diseases and stunted development.
Water is collected in large containers and allowed to settle and warm up to a temperature of 22-25⁰C. If the tanks are in a greenhouse, then they must be equipped with lids, because The evaporation of moisture in hot weather increases the air humidity inside the structure, and tomatoes do not like this.
Watering time in a greenhouse directly depends on the weather outside. On hot and dry days, irrigation is carried out early in the morning or late in the evening, when the solar heat subsides. It must be remembered that by the evening cool the plants have time to absorb most of the moisture, and watering does not cause an increase in humidity.
It is not recommended to delay watering until late evening, because... in a closed space, a greenhouse effect will be created, air humidity will increase, and this, in turn, will lead to an increase in humidity in the greenhouse.
Regularity of watering
The tomato plant is more drought-resistant than moisture-loving.
- Excessive moisture soil leads to rotting of the root system and provokes the occurrence of many diseases, the most insidious of them - late blight. It can destroy the entire standing crop in a matter of days. This is especially dangerous in dense plantings.
- But also a long drought adversely affects the development of tomatoes. Due to lack of moisture, the leaves begin to curl and wither, which ultimately leads to weakening of the plant and its death.
The moisture needs of plants can be determined by appearance: leaves lose turgor and begin to droop towards the ground. With prolonged drought, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out, which will certainly affect the amount of harvest.
Tomatoes in a greenhouse are watered on average once every 2-3 days and 3-5 liters of water are consumed for each adult plant. Again: it all depends on the condition of the soil, its structure and external factors.
Tomatoes are mainly grown in seedlings, due to the long growing season, which means that we are dealing with pampered plants that are not accustomed to providing themselves with moisture and this concern falls on the shoulders of the gardener.
Tomato seedlings are planted in moist soil and additionally watered from above so that the root system is tightly connected to the ground.
During the adaptation period - this is approximately 10-14 days - the seedlings are watered moderately and only when necessary. Harsh conditions are necessary for the plant to direct its forces to the development of the root system, which must go deep into the soil and learn to extract water on its own.
Frequently watering seedlings after planting will cause the plant to become lazy, and the bulk of the roots will remain in the surface layers of the soil. For young seedlings, 2-3 liters per plant will be enough.
Read more in the article: Caring for tomatoes in a greenhouse from planting to harvest
During flowering
Do not allow the soil to dry out for a long time during the period of bud formation and flowering. Lack of moisture can lead to massive shedding of color, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Tomatoes are watered at least 2 times a week, taking into account the condition of the soil, but the volume of water is increased to 4-5 liters per bush.
During the fruiting period, when the tomatoes begin to turn red, the frequency of watering is reduced to a minimum: irrigation is carried out once a week. The amount of supplied moisture is also reduced.
Excessive moisture very often leads to cracking of the fruit, which reduces the presentation, quality and quantity of the harvest.
It is necessary to water tomato bushes at the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves and stems of the plant. Drops of water can play the role of a magnifying glass, which will lead to the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves - this is sunburn. To eliminate this possibility, several watering methods are used.
- Traditional (manual),
- drip,
- using plastic bottles,
- dimpled,
- auto.
Either option should ensure uniform soil moisture around the entire circumference of the tomato bush stem.
In small summer cottages, you can observe how a gardener in the evening scurries between a container of water and a greenhouse, carrying out the next watering. And this is not surprising, because manual watering using a garden watering can or bucket and ladle is the most common.
Another thing is that the process is quite labor-intensive and requires considerable physical strength. It is necessary to scoop up water, bring it to the greenhouse, water it, and given the size of the greenhouse and the number of tomatoes grown, when 10 liters of water are spent on 2-3 plants, you can imagine how the summer resident feels at the end of the working day.
But, despite all the laboriousness, manual watering has a number of advantages.
- The gardener knows exactly how much water he pours under each tomato bush.
- It is possible to water the plant carefully, without dripping water on the leaves and stems.
- Combine watering with fertilizing depending on the stage of development of tomatoes.
Watering with a hose
Watering beds of tomatoes in a greenhouse with a hose, of course, makes the gardener’s work easier, but has some disadvantages.
- There is a high chance of damage to plants when moving the hose around the greenhouse.
- There is no way to control the amount of moisture supplied.
- With strong pressure, the soil under the tomatoes is compacted and washed away, which leads to exposure of the root shoots located close to the soil surface.
- If the hose is connected to a water pipe or well, then low temperature water has a negative effect on the growth of tomatoes: in extreme heat, watering with cold water causes a sharp cooling of the root system, the plants fall into a stupor and are inhibited in development.
You can make watering tomatoes easier by using drip irrigation. The irrigation line can be purchased at a specialized store or made with your own hands.
I would especially like to note high efficiency and highlight the benefits of drip irrigation.
- This method ensures a slow and uniform supply of water exclusively to the root system.
- Significant water savings occur.
- The ability to connect to a regular container installed at a height, where, if necessary, you can add fertilizer and then watering will be combined with fertilizing with minerals.
- When watering, the soil is not compacted, and, therefore, there is no need to loosen it.
- The physical and time costs of watering beds with tomatoes in a greenhouse are reduced.
Gardeners with economic savvy have found a use for plastic bottles, which accumulate in large quantities in their summer cottages from drinking lemonade and sparkling water. This is a simplified version of drip irrigation.
Option #1
- In the walls of a plastic bottle (of any volume), holes are made along the entire height with a hot nail or awl.
- Then the vessel is buried in the ground near the tomato bushes, leaving only the neck above the soil surface. You should be careful and try not to damage the root system. Ideally, this work should be carried out together with planting tomato seedlings in the greenhouse.
- The bottles are filled with water, which will slowly go into the soil, feeding the root system with life-giving moisture.
Option No. 2
The plastic bottle must be cut to the hanger, and holes must be made at the bottom and in its lower part. The vessel is buried in the ground, deepened to 2/3 of the height.
Such tanks are installed along the entire length of the bed and filled with water. The upper cut part is used as a cover so that the water does not evaporate and lead to an increase in humidity inside the greenhouse.
Option #3
A hollow tube is dug into the ground next to the tomato bush. Holes are made in the cap of a plastic bottle, and the bottom is completely cut off - you get an improvised funnel.
Watering tomatoes after planting
Immediately after planting in a greenhouse or open ground, it is better not to water tomatoes for 5-10 days. In the future, it is advisable to moisten the soil on average once a week (or more often as the soil dries out). Water consumption is 3–5 liters per bush.
Watering tomatoes during fruiting
Tomatoes are watered exclusively at the root. This advice is especially relevant during the flowering period, since sprinkling causes buds to fall off and also delays fruit set. In addition, increased air humidity can cause the development of fungal diseases. During flowering, the amount of water is reduced to 1-2 liters per bush.
During the growth period of tomatoes, they are watered 1-2 times a week at the rate of 5-12 liters per square meter of bed or 3-5 liters per bush (depending on weather conditions and soil moisture). If you are late with the next watering and the soil is very dry, the amount of water should be reduced to 0.8-1 liters per bush. Otherwise, the fruit may begin to fall off or crack, and the plant will become especially vulnerable to blossom end rot.
Watering methods.
Drip or capillary irrigation method. It is used for both large and small greenhouses.
Automatic watering of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse is used when growing on an industrial scale, since this method requires significant financial costs. Automatic watering is most often combined with a drip water supply system.
Farms use pumps, dispensers, filters, automatic microclimate control in a greenhouse, and many summer residents make a drip system from improvised means.
Watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse using the drip method is most effective when growing, because:
- water costs are reduced, while it gets directly under the roots and can be strictly dosed depending on the needs of the plant;
- the risk of soil salinization and leaching is reduced; a crust does not form on the soil surface.
- hoses are laid between rows along or in the middle once and are not moved throughout the season - this prevents damage to plants;
- watering a tomato does not require physical effort;
- productivity increases.
Proper watering of tomatoes is carried out using the following methods:
- plastic bottles;
- hose;
- bucket or watering can.
Using bottles.
The first method is simple and economical. Near each plant, you should dig a plastic bottle into the ground without a lid and with the bottom cut off. So, the liquid will flow to the root system evenly and will not fall on the green parts of the bush.
From a hose.
But traditional watering with a hose is difficult.
- During the ripening period of vegetables, it is difficult to dose moisture
- and there is a risk of damage to the tomatoes.
The optimal method is to irrigate the beds using a watering can or bucket; however, transporting heavy containers is unsafe.
Drip.
It is most convenient to use drip irrigation. This device is located near the beds and supplies liquid directly to the roots of the plants. Thanks to this, they receive maximum moisture and do not suffer from its excess.
Often, drippers are used by gardeners to care for a large number of bushes in a greenhouse or large greenhouse.
Automatic irrigation is often used by summer residents in the process of growing popular vegetable crops - cucumbers and tomatoes.
This method has the following advantages:
- complete soil moisture;
- absence of crust on the ground;
- delivery of nutrients directly to the roots;
- labor saving.
However, such a system has disadvantages.
- Its service life does not exceed 6 years, which must be taken into account when arranging a greenhouse.
- In addition, the structure is often damaged by rodents and is quite difficult to repair.
Methods for watering tomatoes in a greenhouse
Water temperature
An open barrel of water should not be left in the greenhouse, as it will create excessive dampness in the air. It is best to cover it with film or place it outside the greenhouse.
This vegetable crop needs a sufficient amount of water from the moment shoots appear, so after sprouts are discovered, they must be sprayed with moisture from a spray bottle.
When the young plants grow up, the bushes should be irrigated moderately, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Every month organic fertilizer is added to the liquid.
Shortly before picking, the seedlings are saturated with moisture in last time, after which the seedlings are temporarily not watered.
When the fruits become full, they need more water.
Air humidity here in summer varies from 60 to 80%, with the exception of dry periods when it drops to 40%, as well as cloudy days, which increase this figure to 90%.
Such changes are detrimental to tomatoes, which require water in the soil, but the crop loves dry air, which has a positive effect on the green mass of plants.
It is important to maintain a moisture balance, because both scanty and generous watering negatively affects the health of tomatoes.
Proper irrigation of beds in a greenhouse ensures soil humidity of about 90%, while the air remains fairly dry. In such conditions, the bushes are protected from fungal infections and other garden ailments.
In addition, active sun creates a greenhouse effect and promotes water evaporation.
It is important to monitor the ripening process of tomatoes; as soon as the upper clusters produce a harvest, watering can be interrupted. In September, summer residents harvest late varieties of vegetables, after which the garden bed is cleared of plant debris.
Low-growing varieties of crops are watered less when vegetables ripen, since excessive watering can provoke the formation of rot, and 30 days before the final harvest, irrigation is stopped. Thus, the fruits ripen smoothly and are not susceptible to garden diseases.
That's all, guys. Take care of your plant bushes correctly and you will have a good harvest!
The summer season is starting soon and the time for preparation has already arrived. Knowledge and experience are what you need to get a harvest and have supplies in winter.
Before new meeting!
You will find detailed information about caring for tomatoes in open ground in our material.
Watering in the greenhouse is carried out early in the morning before sunrise or late in the evening after sunset twice a week. After irrigation, the greenhouse must be ventilated so as not to create excess humidity. On average, about 4 liters of water are consumed per bush.
In greenhouses, mandatory control of air humidity (not less than 50%) and soil (not less than 90%) is required. To check compliance with these standards, take a small lump of earth at a depth of 10 cm, which should easily be molded into a lump with your hands and not crumble.
Watering a tomato is always carried out at the root. It is important to ensure that drops do not fall on the foliage - in open ground this can cause burns, and in a greenhouse the development of late blight. The water temperature should be at least 22-24 degrees Celsius.
Signs of under- and over-watering
Strong and healthy seedlings receive the required amount of liquid, o possible problems indicate the following signs:
- curling of leaves;
- stem cracking.
The first symptom indicates a lack of water, but excessive watering causes damage to the green parts of the plant and fruits - they become inedible.
In a greenhouse, it is important to moderately irrigate the beds, however, in dry and hot weather, the amount of liquid can be increased.
Signs of lack of moisture in tomatoes:
- Twisting the sheet plate along the center in the form of a “boat”;
- Drying of ovaries and buds without symptoms of disease.
With a lack of watering, plants become weak and frail. There is an increased vulnerability to fungal diseases and insect-borne viruses.
Signs of excess moisture:
- Tomatoes that have been over-watered become watery and tasteless;
- The stem and fruit crack, which leads to further infection and disease of the plant;
- Fungal diseases spread quickly in a greenhouse.
With high humidity and poor ventilation of the greenhouse, all types of rot occur, late blight develops quickly, the fruits deteriorate and lose their shelf life and transportability.
The rate of watering tomatoes in open ground depends on weather conditions. Both excessive and insufficient moisture are harmful to these plants. To prevent tomato leaves from turning yellow, it is necessary to water the bushes as the soil dries.
On average, irrigation can be carried out 1-2 times a week. For one bush, 5 liters of water is usually enough.
To water tomatoes in open ground, you can use rainwater, since its degree of hardness, saturation with microelements and oxygen are optimal for plants. Of course, there are exceptions: for example, if you live near industrial enterprises or if you collect water from roofs whose materials contain copper, lead, asbestos and other substances that can have a negative impact on plant and human health. Under no circumstances should such water be used for irrigation.
Drip irrigation: how to do it yourself
If purchasing ready-made devices for a drip irrigation system is not suitable for financial or other reasons, you can create a similar system in a greenhouse with your own hands using medical droppers. You need to find a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. Then cut it according to the size of the beds, make holes in it every half a meter.
Such a system is a truly economical and practical option for creating an inexpensive drip irrigation system in greenhouse conditions. However, you can make such a design in a greenhouse, the costs will be even lower.
Before starting installation work, it is recommended to carefully plan the length of the system and the location of the water pipe through which water will be supplied (it is preferable to place it perpendicular to the tomato rows). The large length of the structure increases the risk of uneven watering.
It would not be superfluous to make a drawing of the site and fix all the landscape elements on it; this will allow you to correctly and conveniently place the greenhouse and irrigation system.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is an opportunity to organize a convenient and effective irrigation system. Its use will not only make the hard work of the gardener easier, but will also make it possible to harvest a wonderful harvest of tomatoes from minimal costs time and effort.
Drip irrigation is the most convenient soil irrigation technology, as water consumption is significantly reduced. At the same time, it is not wasted on the needs of weeds and does not end up on plant leaves, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases. It is especially convenient that along with drip irrigation you can organize root feeding.
Drip irrigation can be organized from empty plastic bottles, with small holes made along the walls at different heights. The plastic with water is not completely covered and is buried upside down so that the seeping moisture constantly flows to the roots of the plant. If necessary, unscrew the lid and add water.
A homemade drip irrigation system must be constantly checked to ensure that the holes are not clogged with soil. If this happens, the plants will die from drought.
Step-by-step watering and fertilizing of tomatoes in a greenhouse: from seedlings to harvesting
Many fertilizers, including organic ones, are quite aggressive and can burn fragile plant roots. Therefore, it is advisable to combine fertilizing with watering. And in some cases this is a prerequisite, for example, if you add bird droppings to the beds.
Watering tomatoes with iodine
Experienced gardeners believe that feeding tomatoes with iodine can speed up the ripening of fruits and protect plants from late blight. The simplest recipe is to dissolve 4 drops of an alcohol solution of iodine in 10 liters of water and water the tomatoes at a rate of no more than 2 liters per bush.
Also, in order to combat late blight, you can add 1 liter of skim milk and 15 drops of iodine to 10 liters of water and spray the plants with this solution no more than once every 2 weeks.
You can feed tomatoes with yeast a week after transplanting into the ground. For this, 100 g of dry yeast and 2 tbsp. sugar is dissolved in 10 liters of warm (25-30°C) water. After two hours, this mixture is diluted with 50 liters of water and no more than 0.5 liters of solution is poured under one bush. Repeated feeding is carried out after the bush has rooted and before flowering.
Spraying with boric acid (5 g per 10 liters of water) can be useful for tomatoes if the flowers begin to fall off in hot weather. Also, foliar feeding using boric acid (2 g), manganese sulfate (4 g), copper sulfate (2 g) and zinc sulfate (2 g), diluted in 10 liters of water, can have a beneficial effect on the growth of tomatoes in a greenhouse. Do not fertilize during the day or in sunny weather - this can cause leaf burns.
Mullein is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20 and the tomatoes are fed 10 days after planting in the ground. This organic fertilizer can be re-applied no earlier than after 10-14 days. You can also feed your green pets twice during the period of fruit formation. Under one bush, previously watered abundantly with water, add 0.5 liters of solution, after which the plants are watered again.
Ammonia is a nitrogenous compound that is sometimes used for root feeding and insect control. A pungent odor, which is not felt by humans after some time, repels pests for a long time.
Most often, 10 ml of ammonia is diluted in 1 bucket of water and the beds are watered up to 4 times for 2 weeks. When signs of nitrogen deficiency appear, seedlings are watered with a 2% ammonia solution in one of four regular waterings.
Watering tomatoes with ash
Wood ash contains about 30 minerals that contribute to the proper development of plants. These elements are involved in the process of photosynthesis, improve metabolic processes, help your green pets absorb vitamins and regulate water balance. Ash is added for digging when preparing a bed for tomatoes (3 cups per 1 sq.m.) or into holes when planting seedlings (a handful of ash in each hole). As an alternative, you can use ash infusion.
Watering tomatoes with potassium permanganate
Due to its antiseptic properties, potassium permanganate fights fungi and bacteria. Therefore, it is most often used for treating seeds (for tomatoes it is recommended to use a 1% solution). Experienced gardeners also spray the soil for seedlings with a solution of potassium permanganate (3 g per 10 liters of water).
Manganese increases the resistance of young plants to diseases. The main thing is to never exceed the dosage, because if the solution turns out to be too concentrated, the plants will die.
Gardening tools can be wiped with a sponge soaked in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate; it is recommended to rinse seedling pots with a 1% solution.
Watering, of course, plays a huge role in growing tomatoes. However, it is equally important to choose the right varieties that will not only be productive, but also resistant to diseases and adverse weather conditions.
11 the best varieties tomatoes for greenhouses and open ground - rating from our readers
Tired of running around with a watering can, hauling gallons of water every day? Organize drip irrigation in the greenhouse yourself. Such a system will not only help you significantly save energy and time. A gradual drip of water will also be beneficial for plants.
Read also: System advantages
The drip irrigation method was first used in Israel in the 1950s - in a similar way, scientists tried to cope with water shortages. Later it was found that when serving it in small portions, not only water and labor resources are saved. Drip irrigation allows you to get earlier harvests.
With normal irrigation, water penetrates into the ground to a depth of 10 cm. Its gradual drip entry allows the root system to be more saturated with moisture.
The roots grow much faster, which means they extract more nutrients from the soil.
Since the rest of the soil remains dry, the likelihood of waterlogging is reduced. This has a beneficial effect on the health of plants - after all, most of such dangerous diseases as powdery mildew, white, gray rot, blackleg, bacterial spot develop precisely in conditions of waterlogging.
Since water is supplied to the root, the likelihood of plant burns, which usually occurs when moisture gets on the leaves, is significantly reduced.
This is due to the lens effect of the small droplets.
Plus, since irrigation is carried out only in the root zone, weeds that do not receive enough moisture spread at a slower rate. This system also prevents soil erosion.Drip irrigation system for greenhouse is simple, but with its help you can achieve an increase in plant productivity by 30-40%.
This irrigation method allows you to accurately calculate the time and intensity of watering for each type of plant.
Read also: Initially it was used only in greenhouse conditions. Later, this method began to be used when growing plants in open ground.
Disadvantages of drip irrigation
The main disadvantage of do-it-yourself drip irrigation systems for greenhouses is the mandatory control.
After all, if the calculation is incorrect and there is an excess of moisture in the area, in addition to excessive water consumption, you will simply destroy the plants. You will need to regularly check the filling of the barrel - it will need to be constantly topped up.
The disadvantages of drip irrigation include the need to periodically clean the holes - due to their small diameter, they often become clogged.
Read also: However, this is not difficult to do - just rinse or blow out the system.
To protect the system from contamination, a filter is installed at the inlet (that is, at the beginning of the hose located in the barrel). You can even use an ordinary piece of foam rubber as it. Cleaning the system will become much easier - all you need to do is remove and wash the foam rubber. It is necessary to protect the barrel itself, as well as the receiver-distributor, from debris and insects - they will need to be covered with lids. Operating principle
We will describe in detail the device of drip irrigation in a home greenhouse. complex systems are automated, but we will talk about this below.
Drip watering should only be done under the roots of plants. When water is supplied between the rows, there will not be enough moisture for the roots, and the crops will develop worse. At the same time, the soil around it will become compacted and loosening will be required. Plus, wet soil under the rays of the sun will overheat, which will adversely affect growth.
The source of water does not have to be a tap or a barrel. They can serve as a well, a well or a reservoir. To do this, you will need to connect a pump to the system.
But in any case, the mandatory installation of a filter is required - otherwise the pipeline will quickly become clogged. When drawing water from an open source (reservoir), it is first necessary to install a coarse filter, and only then a fine filter. In other cases, a single fine filter is sufficient.
But still, to water a greenhouse or vegetable garden, it is better to heat the water in the sun before watering. For this purpose, containers (barrels) of suitable size are used. When it is raised to a certain height, water will flow into the system by gravity.
Water consumption for drip irrigation for moisture-loving plants such as cucumbers is 2 liters per bush, that is, several times less than the usual norm. Drip watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse with already formed fruits is carried out once every 4 days.
Each plant will need 1.5 liters of water. Cabbage and potatoes will need 2.5 liters per day.
Thus, when supplying water from a dropper at 3 l/hour, it will take a little less than an hour to water cucumbers, about 30 minutes for tomatoes, about an hour for cabbage and early potatoes.
Read also: Required materials
For arrangement permanent system for irrigation that will be used from year to year, it is better to purchase more durable PVC pipes rather than hoses.
Since moisture must enter the system slowly, the diameter of the tubes is selected to be minimal - up to 10-16 mm.
It is better not to use transparent pipes or tapes - algae will grow inside them. Metal pipes will not last long - rust will quickly clog the dropper nozzles.
Manufacturers also offer ready-made irrigation systems in the form of polyethylene drip tapes with built-in drippers.
With their help, it is easier to dose watering - the micropores inside resemble a labyrinth in which the direction of water flow is controlled.
- a pump that comes complete with a filter (such systems are called master blocks) to supply water at a certain pressure (up to 1.5 bar)
- droppers (we described their structure and types above)
- stands for strengthening dropper dispensers at plant roots
- taps (switches) for adjusting the flow force and shutting off the system in individual modules
- fum tape or tow for sealing joints
- plastic couplings
- adapters
- tees
- plugs: they are located at the ends of pipelines
When drawing water from a well, you will also need a filter. You can buy a regular mesh or disk one. To install automated stations, you will also need a control unit (timer) and a battery.
Parts from medical droppers with a diameter of 1-2 mm can be used as nozzles (droppers).
Read also: System assembly. Main stages of work
Making drip irrigation in a greenhouse with your own hands is not difficult:
1 To install the system, you will need a 100-200-liter barrel, which is raised to a height of about 1-2 meters. If there is a lid, holes are prepared in it for air intake. If there is no lid, it is better to cover the container with gauze.
2 To insert the hose, a hole is prepared at the very bottom of the barrel with a tap-tip installed in it.
3 Each of the tubes or hoses is laid with a slight slope of 5 cm per meter of length. They are secured to small pegs stuck into the ground.
4 You should not pull pipelines that are too long - they will require very large containers. It is much more profitable and convenient to use several systems independent of each other.
5 PVC pipes are cut with a hacksaw, pipe cutter or miter saw. To obtain tight joints, the cutting angle must be precise and equal to 90 degrees. Therefore, it is better to clamp the pipes in a vice.
6 Small 2mm holes must be made in hoses or plastic main pipes. In a simple do-it-yourself drip irrigation system in a greenhouse, the droppers can be replaced with pieces of ordinary wire, along which drops of water will descend and be supplied to the plant.
7 You can make holes in the hose with an awl or a nail held with pliers. IN PVC pipes It is more convenient to make them with a small-diameter wood drill.
8 When using a pipeline in the form of ready-made strips, they are carefully laid out over the area. To avoid damage, pulling or dragging them is strictly prohibited.
9 Pay attention to the marks on the tape in the form of colored lines. Sprinklers are located on this side. The system must be laid with the colored lines facing up.
11 When connecting taps, fittings (tees and adapters), to perfectly seal the joints you will need fum tape or tow.
12 Before inserting the plug, the system must be flushed from plastic shavings that fall into the pipes during drilling.
13 The last stage is checking the system. After starting the water, you need to make sure that water reaches each drip, including the last one in the garden bed. The soil near them should be moistened evenly
Read also: TOP 22 Most popular and non-capricious ornamental shrubs for a cottage or private home (90 Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Automated irrigation systems
When installing a controller (timer), the system is fully automated. That is, it will not be controlled by a person by turning a crane, but by special equipment. At the specified time, it will turn the water on and off.
Large enterprises install systems with a high degree of automation - such devices are capable of monitoring soil moisture, ambient temperature and even humidity.
To install automatic watering on a private property or in a country house, it is enough to purchase a simple device that allows you to set up watering at a given period of time.
That is, at a certain time the tap will open and water will be supplied to the system. After it expires, watering stops.
