How important is it to have well-designed and efficient garden irrigation systems ? Very, very much.
Crops, especially outdoor ones, need water to grow healthy and luxuriant. Irrigating means giving precious nourishment to the growth and life of plants in the garden, in the kitchen garden or in pots.
In particular during periods of intense heat or when it is impossible to do it in person, knowing how to irrigate - even automated - plants, vegetables and flower gardens is essential.
Obviously everything must be done consciously, without exaggerating, both in order not to damage the plants - with too much or too little water - and in order not to waste water resources unnecessarily.
This is why it is essential to have a functional garden irrigation system. In this article we will see how to make an irrigation system, starting from the design up to the actual construction.
Keep reading.
Types of irrigation systems for vegetable gardens and gardens
Before delving into the subject, let's take a look to the types of irrigation systems existing on the market, so that you can have ideas on the one that best suits your water needs and budget.
- Underground irrigation
Ideal for large gardens and cultivated plots, it undoubtedly has a considerable aesthetic advantage , because the pipes and fittings will not be visible. The water is diffused through pop-up sprinklers.
- Rain system (or sprinkling)
Sprinkler garden irrigation is specific for medium and small green areas. It consists in the dispensing of water in the form of small drops through special dispensers fed by pipes under pressure. While artificially simulating rain, the water will not fall evenly and multiple nozzles will be needed to cover the entire area.
- Above ground system
The simplest, cheapest and most versatile irrigation solution especially for large agricultural fields. It is made up of several exposed pipes that cover the entire green area to which sprinklers are connected. Just open the central tap or program the solenoid valves for widespread irrigation.
- Drip system or Microirrigation
It is a specific localized irrigation for hedges, borders and flowerbeds. It is made with micro-perforated tubes connected to a faucet and a battery-operated programmer. The water is released from the pipes gradually and at regular intervals, preventing it from stagnating in the ground and favoring plant rot.
- Hose system
Absolutely the simplest and least expensive system. This is a hose connected to an outside faucet. It can be equipped at the end with a blast gun, a spear or a sprinkler. It's preferable if you have a very small space and don't want to spend a lot.
Any type of system you decide to create requires careful planning. Let's see in the next paragraph what you need to consider before starting work.
Planning an irrigation system for small gardens: how it should be done and why it is important
A DIY a irrigation system for small gardens that keeps your plants healthy throughout the year requires a good initial planning.
It is a basic and essential starting element, which must be thought out with care and attention before moving on to the actual implementation phase, possibly even with the support of an expert.
The aspects to be taken into consideration are above all these:
- Size and shape of the green space;
- Unevenness of the ground with respect to the water intake;
- Water flow and pressure;
- Calibration;
- Programming;
- Water requirement;
- Water supply.
The first step to do is draw a plan of your garden, field or vegetable garden, dividing it into zones. The perimeter, differences in height, buildings, areas not to be irrigated, the presence of avenues and trees must be highlighted on the graphic survey, correctly reporting distances and measurements in metres.
You will need this work to calculate exactly the number of sprinklers you will need and their positioning.
The flow rate and pressure of the water network will then be calculated, easily obtainable if you have a pump (submerged or surface) as a water source. Usually the pumps used for irrigation systems have a flow rate (Q) between 30-200 l/min and a pressure of 3-6 bar.
If you use the aqueduct as a supply source, you can calculate how many liters per minute come out using a graduated container, while you check the pressure by connecting a pressure gauge to a pipe.
Calibration is nothing more than the amount of water a system can have and the pressure it can withstand. Programming, on the other hand, concerns the subdivision of the duration of weekly and daily irrigation, based on the season and climate.
The last element is the water source, which can be a spring, a well, a tank or a rainwater collection tank, on which, for example, the choice of the type of hydraulic pump will depend.
How to install an efficient irrigation system
The efficiency of irrigation systems for vegetable gardens and gardens is measured by considering how much water is supplied near the ground and crops with the lowest possible pressure and low losses.
An efficient plant is created:
- Calculating the water requirement of plants;
- Evaluating the climatic conditions of the area where you live, or how much rain will fall on average during the year;
- Making rational use of water based on the real needs of crops;
- Limiting possible water losses to a minimum.
Having clarified how to do it, you need to get the right equipment. So what is needed to create an irrigation system? Let's take the case of an automatic system, you will need:
- Hydraulic pumps : they can be submerged or not, and also powered by solar panels;
- Tanks : in concrete, polyethylene, rigid or flexible. You can install them above ground or underground.
- Valves and electronic control units : you will need them to automate the system, regulating the opening times and duration of the solenoid valves and, therefore, of the water supply;
- Pipes : they can be rigid, in PVC, to be placed underground - at least 30 cm - or flexible in polyethylene, ideal for secondary pipes or for a low pressure drip irrigation system;
- Pressure regulators : they are installed between the main supply source and the solenoid valves and are used to correctly manage the pressure necessary for the operation of the various systems;
- Filters : fundamental element to prevent dirt and debris from wells and cisterns from damaging or obstructing the pipes, drippers or sprinkler heads;
- Sprinklers : component necessary to distribute water uniformly. They must be well positioned, correctly sized and proportioned to the power of the system and the area to be irrigated;
- Drippers : devices that deliver water exactly where it is needed, at the base of each plant. Although they are efficient in the use of water resources, they have higher installation costs for large surfaces.
However, our advice is not to necessarily try to do it yourself. If you do not have adequate hydraulic and agronomic skills, it is always better to contact and rely on
trained professionals.
Professional drip irrigation system for gardens: advantages and operation
Among the various types of irrigation system that we have illustrated to you, a drip irrigation system for garden is undoubtedly one of those that has the greatest advantages. First of all: it involves less water dispersion .
This irrigation technique consists of a gradual and slow distribution of water to the ground and to the base of the plants, at regular intervals, through pipes in which special drippers are inserted.
Other advantages are:
- High irrigation efficiency directly to the roots of the plants, with little waste;
- Preventions from damage and fungal pathologies , it does not wet stems and leaves but only the roots, therefore it does not create a microclimate conducive to plant pathogens;
- Saving time and effort to devote to horticulture and gardening, compared to using a simple watering can;
- Irrigation programming , to choose times and duration of water supply;
- Precise and punctual response to the irrigation needs of vegetables, fruit trees and small fruits.
In addition to the components that we have already listed in the previous paragraph, for a drip system you may also need:
- Base connection or "bracket" , to connect the pipes;
- Non-perforated pipes to carry water from the main pipe to the perforated ones;
- Tees and elbows for connecting pipes;
- Caps to close dripping tubes;
- U-bolts to stake pipes to the ground and keep them in place.
Do you want to install a drip system in your garden? Choose on Grow Shop Italia all the best components to make it.
Buy the best components and irrigation kits from Grow Shop Italia
At Grow Shop Italia you can find all the essential components to create a good DIY irrigation system on your own.
If you are not familiar with gardening and horticulture, you can opt for the installation of a practical drip irrigation kit for vegetables and gardens .
A good kit includes tubing, fittings, valves, die, pressure regulator, and dripline. Everything you need to set up a drip irrigation system for your tomatoes or garden plants.
To save time and reduce consumption, you can complete with a battery-powered programmer to automate the system.
In addition, there are several very cheap and simple to use devices for quenching plants such as: the plant quencher kit which can irrigate up to a maximum of 6 plants or the classic tekno "carrots" quenches plants to which it is possible to connect water bottles.
Create irrigation systems for vegetable gardens and gardens that are efficient and adapted to the needs of your plants. Consult the category of our shop dedicated to irrigation components and buy in complete safety by taking advantage of convenient prices and fast shipping.