Watering system in the country: a variety of options for irrigating plants

To make life easier for gardeners and gardeners, design engineers and craftsmen from the people constantly invent a variety of irrigation systems. There are many ways to water your plants, from using a regular watering can to automatic irrigation systems. Which irrigation system is preferable to use in the country, how to properly organize watering of the site, which methods of installing irrigation systems are the most popular - all this information is detailed in this article.

Irrigation system is an indispensable attribute of any private house or suburban area

Varieties of irrigation systems for summer cottages and gardens

Existing irrigation systems can be divided into four categories, each with specific advantages and disadvantages:

• surface watering;
• drip irrigation;
• subsoil watering;
• sprinkling.

Each type of green space and garden crops needs a different way of watering

Useful advice! At the summer cottage, several irrigation systems can be organized, since each crop needs a certain moisture regime.

Surface irrigation is a less costly irrigation option. Water is supplied to the plant along the dug grooves directly from a hose, which can be connected to a centralized water supply system or to a barrel for irrigation in the country. You can buy a container of any capacity. The irrigation system is located on the surface of the earth, so laying it on its own is not difficult. This method deprives the roots of some oxygen, which can be detrimental to plants. Therefore, it is not recommended to constantly use surface watering.

Subsoil irrigation system for greenhouses

Intrasoil irrigation is carried out using an irrigation system, which is located under the soil layer at a depth of 30 cm. Mini-holes are made throughout the pipe area, through which water flows to the plant roots. Such a system is most rational for green spaces such as trees, fruit bushes, and grapes. It is also successfully used in greenhouses, where regular digging is not performed. However, it can also be used in a summer cottage, planting annual plants, depending on the location of the system.

Surface irrigation system is commonly used in greenhouses

This option promotes good oxygen access to the roots and does not require constant loosening of the soil.Underground irrigation is organized in areas with a shortage of water, since this option reduces its consumption by half in comparison with the surface option. Watering can be carried out from the watering tank in the country.

Useful advice! Install a filter at the start of the irrigation pipe to minimize the chance of blockages in the holes in the piping.

The system can be stacked vertically when a perennial plant is planted. The planting pit is made 30 cm deeper and 20-25 cm wider than required for rooting the culture. The bottom is covered with a layer of crushed stone 20 cm high. The pipe is inserted vertically, plunging into the thickness of crushed stone by 7-10 cm. The length of the segment is selected taking into account the protrusion of a part of the product above the earth's surface by 10-12 cm. The pillow is covered with soil 10-15 cm thick. Open end closed with a plug.

Underground irrigation saves water while evenly moisturizing the soil from the inside

Watering is carried out from a watering can or a hose directly into the pipe. Water flows directly to the root system of the plant, eliminating the need to wet the topsoil. The irrigation rate depends on the climatic zone of the area. For many plants of the same type, you can organize automated watering.

Rain watering system for the garden: features of the option

When organizing a sprinkling system, water in the form of drops gradually moistens the soil near the plant at a certain angle. This process is carried out using special sprinklers and sprinklers, which are installed in certain places of the summer cottage at some distance from each other. For areas completely covered with vegetation, such as lawns and flower beds, rotating sprinklers are provided that evenly moisturize the soil around them.

Sprinkling contributes to a gradual, high-quality and deep soil moisture, due to which its structure is not damaged. With this method, the aboveground parts of the plant are saturated with moisture, which contributes to an increase in yield. This is especially true for strawberry plantations. If the sprinkler heads are located under the tree crowns, watering and flushing of dust and insects from the leaves will be carried out simultaneously. In addition, if lawn grass is planted under the trees, this is the most rational way to moisten it.

Sprinkler irrigation is often used for lawns and long beds

When setting up the device, you should focus on maintaining a balance between the intensity of rain and the ability of the soil to absorb water. Moisture must have time to be absorbed into the soil in order to exclude the formation of puddles and dirt. This can lead to the flooding of the surface of the earth, which, after drying, will be covered with a crust, which will impede the access of oxygen to the plant roots.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that water is sprayed unevenly with strong gusts of wind and insufficient pressure in the main system. Also, water can fall not only on the beds, but also on the paths.

The sprinkler system can be stationary or portable. In the first version, pipes for irrigation are laid on top of the soil or mounted in the ground to a depth of 30-40 cm. In the places where the sprayers are installed, the vertical sections of the pipelines are brought to the required height. Sprinklers are attached at their ends.

Sprinkling system can be ground and underground type and consist of several sprinklers evenly moistening the area

When organizing portable irrigation, hoses are used for irrigation in the country. The best products are made of thermoplastic elastomer or PVC. Sprayers are installed at the ends of the hose. Products are stacked in the required place for watering garden crops. It is convenient for this system to organize autowatering, which will be programmed to turn on at the most suitable time for watering - in the evening.By the morning, the water will be absorbed, and during the day you can loosen the soil to provide oxygen to the roots of the plant.

The principle of operation and distinctive features of drip irrigation

Drip irrigation in the country with their own hands is the most economical and rational option for irrigation. The principle of operation of the system is based on the flow of water in small portions directly to the roots of the plant through a drip tape connected to an irrigation pipe. This option is possible when water is supplied to the central water supply system for irrigation in the country. If it is supplied by the clock, then humidification will occur in the same way.

Such irrigation can be carried out from an irrigation storage tank in the country if there is no water in the main pipeline. This option will provide round-the-clock irrigation of the soil.

Drip irrigation - one of the most popular ways to irrigate flower beds and greenhouses

This method of irrigation does not impede the access of air to the plant roots and does not contribute to the deterioration of the soil structure. In this case, overdrying or flooding of the earth can be avoided and regular loosening of the soil can be abandoned. The main disadvantage of such an irrigation system is the high probability of pipe clogging, which occurs as a result of fine debris and soil particles entering its cavity. Therefore, the system needs periodic cleaning.

This can be done using drip tape, a rigid hose with small holes or small diameter plastic pipes. The elements are laid along the plant beds and connected to a common pipe. To organize watering of several rows, a splitter is mounted, which is located at the beginning of the garden. It promotes an even distribution of the tape sections. Around the tree trunk, the tape is laid in a spiral. Plastic pipes are usually installed along stationary beds. Pre-holes are made in them using a hot awl.

Irrigation system in the country, depending on the water supply

The supply of water to the irrigation system can be done in one of the following ways:

• automatic;
• semi-automatic;
• mechanical.

Each of the methods of supplying water to the root system of the plant has both advantages and disadvantages.

The first option is carried out depending on the wishes of the owner and is set by a special program. In this case, the start time for watering is set or moisture sensors are installed, relative to which water will be supplied. You can buy such a system ready-made or organize automatic irrigation with your own hands.

When arranging an automatic system, a self-priming pump must be used for watering a vegetable garden, a house garden, a summer cottage, which pumps water from a container. When choosing a unit, you should pay attention to the frequency of the motor regulation and the possibility of performing a soft start. It is connected to an on-timer that controls the operation of the pump unit.

When organizing automatic irrigation in the country with your own hands, you can purchase an outlet with a timer, which involves performing daily or weekly irrigation. This system is most often used for sprinkling. However, it can be organized for other options as well. Wells, reservoirs located near the land plot, or a centralized water supply system can be used as water reservoirs.

The automatic irrigation system is convenient in that it irrigates at a specified time and does not require much human effort

Semi-automatic irrigation involves the manual supply of water to the general line. Then the system independently distributes the liquid through the pipes, regulating its flow rate and pressure.

Useful advice! At any time, by changing the settings, you can switch from semi-automatic to automatic mode without shutting off the water tap.

With mechanical irrigation, the moistening of the beds is controlled by a person who manually opens the watering tap in the country, selecting the required pressure.

The choice of pipe material for irrigation in the country, product characteristics

Before organizing watering in the country, you should decide on the material of the pipelines for the selected irrigation system. Metal products are characterized by strength, reliability, durability and affordable cost. Among the negative factors, one can single out the high cost of shaped joints and valves, the susceptibility of products to corrosion, the laboriousness of installation, which requires special skills and abilities.

The quality of pipes and materials is the key to the long-term service of the irrigation system

Plastic products are more modern, practical and inexpensive. The walls of the pipes are extremely smooth, so that deposits will not accumulate inside the pipelines, which prevents a decrease in the throughput of the product. The material is characterized by strength and durability.

Related article:

Irrigation hoses: which are better depending on the purpose and operating conditions
Which is better to buy according to the material of manufacture, type and purpose of the product. Recommendations for choosing a tool. Operating and storage conditions.

HDPE pipes for irrigation in the country do not react to temperature fluctuations, the effects of an aggressive environment, and can be used for aboveground and underground installation. The connection of the PVC system elements is carried out with the help of glue, mastic and structural fittings - this can be done independently without special skills.

Among the most popular manufacturers of polyethylene pipes are Rehau, Wavin and Ostendorf, which produce high-quality products with high technical and operational characteristics. The price of pipes for irrigation in the country is 50-90 rubles / m.

Choosing pipes from well-known brands, you can be sure of the quality and strength of products

The most durable and elastic are polyethylene pipes, which do not burst when water freezes. The best option is considered to be a product diameter of 20-40 mm. The system elements are connected by soldering. Polypropylene pipes are a more economical option. They have increased strength and durability. Individual sections are connected by soldering joints or fastening with couplings. You can buy pipes from well-known manufacturers Rehau, Aquatherm, Banninger, Wefatherm, Ekoplastik, Valtek, Pilsa, Pro Aqua, Santrade for 30-60 rubles / m.

How to do watering in the country with your own hands: the main points

Building an irrigation system starts with planning. At the first stage, you should draw a diagram of the site with the application of all the beds and plants that need watering. Further, all water supply options are provided, which can be carried out from a centralized water conduit or from a container for irrigation in the country. You can buy a tank of any capacity in a specialized store. It is installed at a height of two meters and has a lid on top to prevent the accumulation of debris in the water.

If there is a well or well on the site, you can organize an alternative water supply system. In this case, you should decide on the pump for irrigation in the country, which is selected taking into account the required flow.

The layout of the automatic irrigation system on the site

Important! The irrigation system in the country from plastic pipes should be located in such a way that the entire territory is covered. Otherwise, the missed place will have to be watered manually.

The drawing should indicate pipelines, shut-off valves. All pipe connections and weaves should be noted here. Based on this, it is required to calculate the total number of plugs, tees, splitters, start connectors (in the case of organizing drip irrigation), sprinklers (when installing a sprinkler system). Subsequently, a list of the necessary materials and equipment is drawn up for arranging a water supply system in the country for do-it-yourself watering.

It is better to choose plastic pipes for the main pipeline, since fertilizer or fertilizer dissolved in water can be supplied through them.If the subsurface system is performed, thick-walled products are preferred. When laying on the ground, an opaque material is used, which will help to avoid water bloom inside the pipelines.

Since pipes for the irrigation system are usually installed for more than one season, you should carefully select products and pay attention to quality

Useful advice! You should not skimp on materials for the irrigation system. Since it is mounted for many years, it is worth choosing high-quality, certified products.

In the case of organizing an automatic irrigation system, you must purchase an electric controller. It is powered by self-contained batteries. It is also recommended to stock up on filters that will keep the system from clogging. This is especially important for drip irrigation.

Installation of an irrigation and irrigation system for a summer residence

The laying of plastic pipes for irrigation in the country can be underground or above ground. The second option involves the location of all elements of the system on the surface of the earth. Installation of such a device is carried out fairly quickly. If leaks do occur, they are easy to detect and repair. However, the surface arrangement has its disadvantage: the risk of pipe damage increases. In addition, such a gasket can make it easy for intruders to catch.

A more preferable option is a deep installation of a do-it-yourself garden watering system from polypropylene pipes or polyethylene products. According to the planned plan, a trench with a depth of 30-70 cm is being carried out with a slight slope towards the lowest point of the site. This is to ensure that the water is drained from the pipeline at the end of the season. It is possible to lay pipes without a slope. In this case, at the end of the season, they are purged with a compressor.

It is best to entrust the laying of pipes for the irrigation system and installation to a specialist

At the next stage, water distribution is carried out in the country by laying pipes in a trench. A tie-in of all bends should be laid in the main pipeline. For this purpose, crosses or tees are used. Each branch must be equipped with a valve to control the water supply to each section. For branches, you can use pipes of a smaller diameter or flexible hoses for irrigation in the country. Droppers are attached to the ends of the pipes or sprinklers.

The assembled system is connected to the main pipeline, then it is automated. After the completion of the work, the system is tested. For this, it is filled with water. If leaks are found, they should be repaired immediately. After the test, the trench is buried.

The irrigation system, assembled with your own hands from high-quality material, can serve for many years, saving the owners of the site from routine and monotonous work. The main thing is to study the features of the selected irrigation option, purchase material, after which you can safely start working.