Secrets of making drip irrigation from plastic bottles with your own hands. Automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands from plastic bottles: diagram Watering cucumbers using plastic bottles

Watering plants on large space, especially in dry weather, requires a lot of time and effort, but not everyone has the opportunity to come to the site every day. Therefore, many summer residents are wondering: how to set up automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands?

Automatic watering for different irrigation methods

Irrigation methods are divided into three main groups: sprinkling, drip irrigation and subsoil. Watering the soil using a watering can does not apply to these options. A method such as subsurface irrigation, which can be carried out using hoses or pipes with pore holes, is ideal for irrigating hedges and garden perennials.

Microirrigation or drip irrigation is a system convenient for providing the necessary moisture to trees, bushes, and pendants. Drip irrigation is the most popular method of watering among summer residents, as it makes it possible to direct moisture directly to the roots of plants. The method is good for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants, but does not replace full watering. Sprinkling - perfect way irrigation flower beds or lawns. You can set up automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands for any option.

Sprinklers made of plastic

Automatic watering is especially helpful when water is supplied irregularly to the site or at strictly defined hours. In this case, you need to water a lot, but it is not advisable to use a hose, since strong water pressure will wash away the soil at the roots. A standard irrigation system consists of a pump, hoses and sprinklers necessary for sprinkling. Sprayers or sprinklers can be made from available materials - simple plastic bottles. Bottles with a capacity of 2 to 5 liters are suitable, in which holes of different configurations are made, depending on the type of sprinkler. A hose is inserted into the neck of the bottle or hole in the cap. You can glue the halves of cases from plastic handles.

Drip irrigation with plastic bottles

Drip in a greenhouse can also be set up in several ways, using 1.5- and 2-liter plastic bottles.

In the walls of the bottle (not reaching 3 cm to the bottom) it is necessary to pierce several rows of holes in a checkerboard pattern. The number of holes depends on and The bottle must be buried between the plants (preferably when planting them in the ground) with the neck up to a depth of 15 cm. Watering is carried out through the neck, and water poured manually or from a hose into the bottle will flow through the holes to the roots.
In the second method, we prepare the bottle in a similar way, but make holes near the neck. The bottle with the bottom cut off must be buried with the neck down, having first screwed on the lid. To prevent water evaporation, return the cut bottom to its place by turning it over. This makes it easier to fill the bottle with water.
You can set up automatic watering in a greenhouse yourself by hanging plastic bottles over the ground near the plants so as not to erode the soil. Then the water coming from the hose will also warm up in the sun. Only in this case, holes are made in the lid or near the neck. You can adjust the volume of water poured out without piercing holes by unscrewing the lid. Small holes of 1-1.5 mm will prevent water from leaving too quickly.
for long breaks between irrigations, 5-liter plastic bottles will help out. Holes must be pierced on one side of the bottle from the bottom to the neck. On the wall on the opposite side, cut a window for pouring water. The bottle is buried in a horizontal position with the holes down and the window up.

Automatic watering with your own hands. Scheme

A drip irrigation scheme using plastic bottles can consist of several basic elements, it all depends on the volume of the greenhouse and the number of plants.

A barrel or tank of water, preferably black.
Tap.
Float chamber.
Connecting hoses (located underground or on the surface).
Dispensers made from plastic bottles located underground between the plants.

Water automatically moves from a water supply or from a barrel to a float chamber, then through hoses it enters plastic bottles, providing automatic watering for the greenhouse. With your own hands, a similar scheme can be reproduced quite quickly. Instead of pipe dispensers, you can use a plastic bottle drinker on the surface and a canister dispenser buried underground with holes.

How to install an automatic watering system?

First, you will need to draw a site plan with beds and the number of plants that require drip irrigation with your own hands from plastic bottles. The plan must indicate the location of pipes, hoses, droppers and shut-off valves. A vegetable garden on a sloped area will require horizontal placement of pipes and inclined-drip hoses. The pipe connections marked on the plan will allow you to count the number of plugs, tees, taps and connectors.
Secondly, the water supply system is being thought through. The lack of running water can be replaced with a tank installed at a height of up to two meters. For the main water supply, plastic pipes are more suitable, through which water can be supplied with any concentration of fertilizers. Type and brand necessary equipment will affect the overall cost of the irrigation system. It is advisable to use filters for fine water purification so that droppers and drip hoses do not become clogged. Filters will need to be cleaned after a certain period of time.
Thirdly, choose the method of installing the pipes. The most economical is laying in the ground. If necessary, you can hang them on supports, but it is advisable to take opaque pipes and hoses so that the water does not bloom. Buried pipelines must have thick walls. Installation is carried out after all the beds are formed.
Self-powered electric controllers will help you set up uninterrupted automatic watering with your own hands in a greenhouse or on your property.
The system must be flushed before use. To do this, remove the end caps and let water flow until clean water comes out.

Automatic watering with storage tank and plastic bottles

It’s easy to set up automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands based on a simple and accessible scheme.

Water tank with tap.
A storage device made from a canister, installed at an angle.
A funnel, which can be the same canister or plastic bottle.
The base where the funnel and storage tank are attached.
Supports for storage on the base.
Filling pipe with holes.
Counterweight.

5 liter canisters are ideal as material for a future funnel and storage tank. To do this, you need to cut their upper parts at the desired angle. The storage capacity is also installed at an angle, attached to wooden plank, at the other end we attach a counterweight. Stops and a funnel are fixed to the base. The drive will rotate on an axis from one stop to another. The funnel hole is connected to a watering pipe.

Automatic watering from hoses

You can make automatic watering for a greenhouse yourself in another way. The circuit will consist of a pump and hoses. Automation should turn on the pump at the same time. In the rubber hose, you need to make through holes every 30-35 cm using a hot awl at different angles. The hose with holes is laid through the greenhouse and connected to the pump. To prevent the holes from becoming clogged, you can stretch the hose along the boards or film.

Watering rules

Automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands, photos and diagrams of which are quite easy to find, saves a lot of time. When using an automatic irrigation system, it is important to consider the watering rules for different types plants.

Abundant watering (1, 2 times a day) is preferable to frequent but insignificant watering, which is especially harmful to plants in dry weather. On average, 10 liters of water coming out of the irrigation system per 1 m2 will moisten the soil to a depth of 10 cm. The main volume of roots is located at a depth of 20-25 cm, which means that to wet the soil to the roots, 25 liters per 1 m2 are required.
Irrigation rates are determined depending on the composition of the soil. For example, light and sandy soils need more frequent watering than clayey ones, and less abundant. Experienced gardeners Always take into account the depth of the roots.
To get a good harvest, water in certain time taking into account the norms. The period of intensive growth until mid-summer should be accompanied by abundant watering. Plant development during this period will depend on the availability of water. During fruit ripening, excess moisture, on the contrary, is harmful.
The water temperature is also important; 10-12 degrees is recommended, but not lower. A sharp contrast between temperatures and water is detrimental to plants. Ice water will weaken the seedlings, causing them shock, so it is better not to water directly from a well or well, but to use water from storage tanks.
To create pressure, the tank is placed above the ground at a height of up to 3 meters. If the pressure is not enough to use sprinklers, you can install a pump. Water released from sprinklers under pressure has time to warm up before it reaches the surface of the earth.
If the soil looks wet, it is difficult to determine whether watering is required. A simple method will help: dig a hole in the garden bed up to 30 cm deep; if the soil at this depth is little moistened or dry, then it needs to be watered.

Conclusion

Setting up automatic watering in a greenhouse with your own hands using plastic bottles is quite simple. Plus this method Watering is the provision of sufficient moisture to plants with less water consumption. A dry soil surface with root irrigation will prevent the development of weeds, rot and fungi. In hot weather, a crust will not form and you will not have to frequently loosen the soil.

It is impossible to grow cucumbers without watering. Saturating plants with moisture is daily painstaking work. Will help make it easier to care for when growing healthy vegetables homemade design from plastic bottles for drip irrigation of cucumbers, which you can make yourself.

Drip irrigation– organizing timely watering of plants using storage containers and water. Simple, effective way moisture supply directly to each sprout. Water easily passes through the top layer of soil, filling the roots with life-giving moisture.

Experienced gardeners They know firsthand that a good harvest depends on the quantity and quality of timely irrigation. Cucumbers require warm water in large volumes. Drip irrigation will be an excellent help throughout the entire vegetable ripening season.

Water consumption for growing cucumbers is on average 5 liters per 1 m2.

Drip irrigation from bottles is much cheaper than a ready-made system

Overwatering threatens the development of fungal diseases. Drip system – alternative solution. Specialty stores sell a variety of prefabricated irrigation systems. They take time to install. Pricing policy Not everyone likes it.

Install drip irrigation yourself using plastic bottles - a solution that does not require financial costs. Using available materials, it is easy to make such a system for anyone.

Advantages and disadvantages of a bottle watering system

All the pros and cons collected by gardeners will help you make sure of the need for such an installation on your site.

First, about the advantages of the bottle system:

tangible saving water(a watering can or hose is used more);
autonomous operation systems (you can safely leave the garden bed unattended for several days);
versatility: the possibility of application does not depend on the type of soil, method of growing vegetables (greenhouse, vegetable garden);
availability of material;
ease of installation and maintenance;
targeted targeted moisture ingress;
absence of hardened earthen crust around the plant;
reducing the need to loosen the soil around the bush;
slow evaporation of moisture (only on hot days will you have to monitor the condition of the plants: do they need additional watering);
saving money;
facilitating human labor;
the top layer of soil is not washed away;
roots get warm liquid(has time to warm up under the rays of the sun);
simplification of application of fertilizing (only to seedlings).

Drip irrigation saves the amount of liquid and allows it to flow directly to the roots

Weeds rarely germinate in such an area.

A homemade drain system often gets clogged. To prevent such a situation, old nylon tights - best option creating drainage. The material does not rot in the ground and has excellent throughput.

Now let's talk about the disadvantages:

frequent clogging of holes;
the impossibility of using such a system on a large plot: a lot of containers will be required, the garden does not look aesthetically pleasing;
limited volume liquids;
difficult to use on heavy soils (bottles often become unusable when they become clogged);
on hot days, plants receive little moisture from such a supply.

For cucumbers and tomatoes, drip irrigation using bottles will not replace a full-fledged one: Depending on the weather, the sprouts will need additional moisture.

Description of drip irrigation of cucumbers and tomatoes

Such a life support system for vegetables is entirely justified. It makes it easier to achieve good harvest cucumbers or tomatoes. There are many ways to install such a structure. Let's look at some of them.

Lid up

A universal option. Common among summer residents. Suitable for greenhouse and open area.

Bottle system with cap up

Craft diagram:

Measure 3 cm from the bottom. With an awl, a gypsy needle (whatever is in the house) pierce holes lengthwise to the point where the narrowing begins. The number of holes depends on the type of soil and container volume. On average - 10.
Make a hole near the bush so that the dishes fit up to the neck (the conical tapering part should protrude above the ground).
Wrap the bottle in cloth, place it in the hole, fill it with water, and close it with its original cap.

When empty, plastic containers may shrink under soil pressure. This can be avoided by simply piercing the lid and replenishing the liquid in a timely manner.

Lid down

Cut off the bottom completely. Screw the lid all the way, pierce it in a circle. Bury the dishes near the stem without damaging the roots. Wrap with gauze to protect from debris.

Root watering

Choose small flasks - 1.5 liters. Pierce the lid with a hot needle. Place nylon fabric between the lid and neck and screw tightly. If this system is planned in advance, first dig the bottle halfway into the ground with the cut bottom up. Pour in the seeds and fill the container.

Special nozzles for root watering

The seedlings are planted - no problem. The flask can be placed at a slight angle by pushing the neck closer to the roots. Cut the bottom accordingly as well, maintaining a certain angle (more liquid can fit in).

A more expensive option is to screw the lids instead special nozzles(sold in garden centers). It is convenient to stick them near the root. The downside is that a strong wind can overturn such a structure.

Another method of root moisturizing requires cocktail straws, juice. Place the container between two stems. The required length to the root is measured from it. One end of the tube goes inside the container. A plug is placed on the other. A tube is pierced from the bottom of the seedlings so that the liquid flows to the desired place.

Suspension

Suitable for a small bed of cucumbers hanging option. Make a frame of timber and wire along the row. Pierce the bottles with a through hole on both sides. Thread the twine. Screw to the wire above the seedlings. Pierce the bottom.

Uniform moisture supply adjust required quantity punctures. Make sure that drops do not fall on the leaves. Otherwise, a burn is guaranteed.

Diagram of a suspended irrigation system

How to organize a system of plastic bottles in a country house or greenhouse

For a summer residence, larger containers should be selected. This will allow you to leave the area for longer, without fear that the bushes will die.

The experience of summer residents shows that a liter bottle feeds cucumbers and tomatoes 5 days, three-liter - , 6 - .

Provided that there is accurate knowledge of the predominant type of soil. From it the calculated number of holes is calculated and the size of the container is selected. All that remains is to choose suitable option drip irrigation installations. Prepare tools, materials, dishes. Take the time, install and enjoy the work done.

There is no limit to perfection. Having set aside a day to install such a structure, you can actually come up with your own version and you won’t have to water the plantings with your hands. The garden will thank you for your efforts with a generous harvest.

Cucumbers are a moisture-loving crop; without timely watering, you won’t get a good harvest. The fruits, even if they are born, will be bitter and tasteless; what can you do if you are constantly unable to stay at your summer cottage? Do-it-yourself drip irrigation of cucumbers using plastic bottles is a good solution to the problem, both for a greenhouse and in open ground. In dry summers, it is a real salvation for summer residents if there is no time to visit the garden regularly.

Watering cucumbers using bottles is very convenient

What is the advantage

Drip irrigation using plastic bottles has a number of advantages:

the material is available, organizing the system costs practically nothing;
the procedure is so simple that anyone can do the task with their own hands;
significant savings not only in money, but in effort and time, because filling bottles with water is not difficult;
you can safely leave the site for the city without worrying that the soil in the greenhouse will dry out and the seedlings will die;
the plant receives moisture directly to the roots;
water flows evenly and in doses, the roots are not washed away by a strong stream of water;
Drip irrigation in a greenhouse is especially good: thanks to this method, the surface of the earth remains dry, which does not allow weed seeds to germinate, it does not become compacted, if it is covered with a layer of mulch, then there is no need to loosen it;
there is also less evaporation, this prevents dampness and diseases from developing in the greenhouse;
when there is no central water supply at the site, this significantly saves water resources;
if used tap water, meters are installed in the house, this will have a slight effect on payments;
the liquid in the bottles warms up, which is important for the growth of cucumbers; cold water causes stress and illness;
The system is easy to install, replacing damaged containers is simple.

The intensity of watering can be adjusted by making additional holes in the lid

Are there any disadvantages

Despite positive qualities method, it also has disadvantages:

on a large area in the open ground, it is difficult to organize such a system with your own hands, and it is also impractical;
this type of moistening is more suitable for temporarily maintaining the required soil moisture in a greenhouse and in open ground while the owner of the beds is absent, but it cannot replace high-quality, full-fledged watering;
When used on heavy soils with a lot of clay, the holes often become clogged.

Types of watering from plastic bottles

Although the advantages of this type of irrigation are obvious, it is worth considering its capabilities in more detail, choosing the method that is most suitable for the situation, It should be taken into account what is acceptable for greenhouse conditions, what is better suited for open ground. Plastic containers Can:

dig into the ground to a shallow depth;
install close to bushes with cucumbers;
secure to suspended structures.

Types of drip irrigation with bottles: hanging, in-dig, standing, with a canister dispenser, a bottle dispenser and a tube dispenser

This type is suitable for open ground and greenhouses at the same time. To make a miniature irrigation system from a bottle with your own hands, you need:

Measuring 3 cm from the bottom of the bottle, using a needle heated until red, or a thin nail, holes are pierced with an awl.
They are arranged in 3-4 rows, they can be placed in a checkerboard pattern. You will have to determine how many punctures to make yourself, it depends on the type of soil: the denser it is, the more holes, but exact quantity determined over time. If the ground is too damp, the bottle is replaced with another one with fewer punctures.
Bottles are buried upside down between cucumber bushes.
It is allowed not to put on the cap, if you want to leave it, you need to make a hole in it, otherwise, after the bottle is empty, it will shrink and lose its shape.

Bottles are dug between cucumber bushes

The second method resembles the previous one, but in this situation the bottom is removed:

Holes are made at the top of the container, close to the neck,
There is no need to make punctures; foam rubber is tightly inserted into the neck of the bottle; this option is acceptable for very heavy loams; in sandy open soils, liquid will leak out almost instantly
Screw the cap on and drop the bottle upside down.
To prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, the cut bottom can be placed on top; it is more convenient to simply turn it over. Some advise not to cut it off completely, but to pour water, bending it a little.

If it is not possible to appear on the site often, during periods of long absence five liter plastic bottles are used:

holes are pierced in them on one side over the entire area of the container;
a hole is cut in the wall on the opposite side, large enough to make it convenient to pour water;
The bottle is instilled in a lying position, with small holes down.

In this case, the period of self-watering will extend for several more days.

Five-liter bottles will provide cucumbers with water for several days

There is another option when the bottles are not placed in the soil, but suspended above the plant. The method is good for greenhouses:

the soil near the roots is not washed away;
the water in the container warms up well;
optimal humidity is created.

Here holes are made in the lid itself or near the neck; you don’t have to make them at all; you just need to adjust the cap so that water flows out on its own in a small amount. After filling the container with water, hang it upside down. Watering will occur independently.

But this method is more complicated due to the installation of supports with your own hands, and water sometimes gets on the leaves, which is undesirable. This can lead to burns in sunny weather. To avoid this, containers are hung close to the ground.

In open ground, the bottles can simply be laid out on the beds, after first puncturing the holes.

The irrigation structure can be made suspended

Secrets of watering preparation

The main secrets of preparing irrigation include:

Ordinary plastic bottles are suitable for watering directly into the ground, but it is important to organize the preparation process with your own hands correctly; for this you should know a few secrets:
For drip irrigation of cucumbers, two-liter bottles are best suited; sometimes you can use 5-liter containers.
The punctures in the plastic must be made very small, the size should not exceed 1, maximum 1.5 mm, otherwise the water will drain out too quickly.
To prevent soil from getting into the bottles, they can be wrapped non-woven material, burlap or use unnecessary stockings.
How much plastic container is needed for high-quality irrigation depends on the number of plants. Ideally, take a bottle for each bush; if there is little space, 1 container for 3 or 4 bushes is enough for cucumbers.
The frequency of site visits, weather conditions, and soil characteristics should also be taken into account. In open ground, at the beginning of the growing season, 3 or 4 liters of liquid per week is sufficient for the bush; as soon as flowers appear and the first cucumbers begin to form, the norm increases to 6 liters. If the weather is hot, sometimes 12 liters are required at intervals of 3 days. During rain or cold weather, the standards are reduced. In a greenhouse, the evaporation process is more intense, so slightly more water is required.
The best time to install the system is when the seeds are planted, then the roots will definitely not be damaged.
The containers are located at a distance of about 15 cm from the bush; the depth of its embedding should not exceed 10, maximum 15 cm. It should not be too deep; cucumbers have roots located close to the surface. The bottle can be placed straight, some use a slight tilt of 35-40 degrees.

Plastic bottles for drip irrigation are a good alternative for a gardener; they greatly facilitate his work and help preserve the soil near the roots.

The DIY drip irrigation method is suitable not only for cucumbers; it can be used for eggplants, tomatoes, shrubs and flowers.

If you try, you can make an automatic watering system from bottles and organize a shower for plants.

Drip irrigation - what is it?

Drip irrigation refers to a special irrigation system for agricultural crops, in which moisture drops into the ground to the roots of plants grown in a greenhouse. You can organize drip irrigation in the following ways.

DIY watering system

In our case, the last option will be considered as the simplest and most inexpensive to manufacture. The creation of such a system will be described in more detail below, but now we will consider the general advantages of all drip irrigation systems.

Saving water. Compared to a conventional hose or watering can, drip irrigation systems consume significantly less liquid for the same or even more high efficiency irrigation.
Reasonable moisture distribution. By overdoing it with watering the plants with a hose, a summer resident can turn the soil in a greenhouse into a marshy swamp. With drip irrigation this is not possible.
Save time. Any drip irrigation systems - both connected to the water supply and autonomous - require less maintenance time compared to traditional methods glaze.
By delivering water directly to the roots of plants, they growth accelerates, and with such a system the harvest in the greenhouse can be obtained faster. In addition, the roots of vegetables and other crops are not washed away.
The ground remains mostly dry, air humidity in the greenhouse remains normal. As a result, the likelihood of weeds appearing and diseases developing in plants is reduced.
Depletion rate reduction and soil erosion.

Wetting area for drip irrigation on different soils

Advantages and disadvantages of bottled drip irrigation

The structure of such a system is as follows: a plastic bottle with small diameter holes is dug in near each individual plant in the greenhouse. The bottle is filled with water, which seeps through small holes and nourishes the roots of the plants.

Organization of drip irrigation of tomatoes using plastic bottles

Important! Sometimes the bottles are not dug into the ground, but are suspended under the roof of the greenhouse near each individual plant. In such cases, it is important to ensure that most of the moisture does not fall on the leaves, but on the ground, directly at the roots.

The individual advantages of drip irrigation are discussed above, but what are the advantages of the scheme using bottles? They are as follows.

Cheapness. In fact, the system using plastic bottles is free - the main material for arranging drip irrigation can be found at home or purchased at a nominal price.
Easy to create. Setting up drip irrigation from plastic bottles does not require any technical knowledge or special skills from you; absolutely anyone can do it.
Simplifying the care of seedlings and plants in greenhouses– with such an irrigation scheme, there is no need to frequently visit the garden plot. Now you can go on trips for work and other needs, without worrying about the condition of the future harvest.
With bottles buried in the ground water will not get on leaves or flowers, which means the problem with sunburn of plants is solved.
Autonomy– unlike other drip irrigation systems, which require a water supply and more or less constant pressure in it, drip irrigation from bottles only requires water itself.
Available for vegetables, fruits and flowers water has the same temperature as air in a greenhouse, which has a positive effect on the condition and productivity of some crops.
Easy to repair or dismantle. If for some reason one of the elements of the system fails, then it is very easy to replace it - the bottle is dug out, and a new one is dug in in its place.

Methods for arranging drip irrigation from plastic bottles and other containers

But the system also has its drawbacks. The disadvantages of drip irrigation using bottles are presented below.

The difficulty of creating such a system over a large area. Therefore, if you have many greenhouses, then it makes sense to think about another, more advanced method of drip irrigation.
There is a risk of bottle holes becoming clogged, especially when used on soils containing large amounts of clay.
Due to its primitiveness, such a system is not capable of completely replacing irrigation, so sometimes it will be necessary not only to add water to bottles, but also to supplement drip irrigation with the same watering can. For complete watering that requires a minimum of effort from you, it is preferable to use specialized drip tapes and dropper dispensers connected to the water supply.

Example of a simple drip irrigation system

Required materials and tools

To set up drip irrigation using ordinary plastic bottles, you will need the following materials and tools:

plastic bottles;
a piece of cotton fabric or old nylon stockings;
shovel for digging holes for bottles;
ruler for measurements;
sharp nail, thick needle or awl;
a lighter, a fire or another source of open fire on which a nail or needle can be heated.

Before you start arranging watering, you need to figure out what size bottles are suitable for the plants in your greenhouse. The choice depends on the crop being grown - some require more moisture, others, on the contrary, less. Also, consider the weather in your area - the higher the temperature, the more water you will need. And, of course, the volume of containers depends on how often you are willing to visit the dacha.

Plastic bottle for drip irrigation

Important! Please note that the temperature inside the greenhouse is higher than outside. And plants will need more water. The increased moisture consumption is compensated by faster ripening and, subject to the cultivation technology, a bountiful harvest.

Table. How long does a bottle of a certain size last for one plant?

0,5	2
1	4
1,5	5-6
2	7-8
5	12-16

Plastic bottles

As you can see, it is not advisable to use small-volume containers - bottles with a volume of 0.5 to 1 liter will require frequent “refilling”, which will force you to visit your garden plot as often as before.

The best option is a container with a volume of 1.5-2 liters, when using which you can come to the dacha once a week to “refuel” the containers, additional watering and perform other work that the plants in the greenhouse require. If the crop you grow requires a lot of water, then you should give preference to large bottles with a volume of 5 liters. But keep in mind that a five-liter plastic container takes up a lot of space and a hole for it must be prepared of the appropriate size.

Some summer residents may have a question: “Why do you need fabric for drip irrigation? Are there not enough bottles with holes? The problem is that these holes can become clogged and clogged with soil over time. To prevent this, from the outside (and sometimes from the inside) that part of the bottle where the holes are located should be wrapped in an old nylon stocking or a piece of cotton fabric. Water will seep through it, but the soil will not get inside.

Cleaning a polycarbonate greenhouse in the fall

Here you will find everything you need to know about cleaning a polycarbonate greenhouse in the fall! We also recommend reading our other article about preparing soil in a greenhouse for tomatoes in the fall.

Another issue that requires consideration is how many holes and what diameter should be made. Their number should depend on the properties of the soil - the worse it absorbs moisture, the more holes will be required. So, if you bury a bottle in a hole with the neck down, then 2-3 holes are enough for sandy soils, and 4-5 for clay soils.

Relationship between hole size and watering amount

Advice! If clay soil does not absorb water well, the holes in the bottle cap can be replaced with a piece of foam rubber, which is used to plug the neck.

Holes in the bottle or cap are punched using a nail or needle heated on a stove/lighter. The optimal diameter is from 0.5 to 1 mm. Figures of 1.5-2 mm are the maximum permissible; with larger values, water will be consumed too quickly.

As for the ratio of bottles to plants in the greenhouse, the ideal option would be 1:1 - one plant per container. If there is not enough space or the crop does not require a lot of moisture, then you can use one bottle (preferably 2 or 5 liters) for 2, 3 or even 4 plants. But, accordingly, more holes will need to be made in the container.

Important! It is best to install a drip irrigation system from bottles at the time of planting seeds or seedlings in the greenhouse soil, so that when digging a hole you do not damage the root system of the crop.

Method number 1 - Dig into the ground

In total, there are four ways to arrange drip irrigation using plastic bottles. The most common of them is burying it in the hole upside down. It looks like this step by step:

The bottle is buried upside down in the hole

Step 1. A hole with a depth of 10-15 cm and a diameter equal to the diameter of the bottle is dug near each plant individually or between two adjacent ones.

Step 2. Using a ruler, measure 3-4 cm upward from the bottom of the bottle.

Step 3. Using a hot nail or needle, holes are made from this place in the bottle in 2-4 rows in a checkerboard pattern. The number of holes depends on the density of the soil, but on average it is about 10-15 pieces.

Step 4. The container is wrapped with fabric or nylon so that all holes are closed. This is necessary to protect the holes from being clogged with earth.

Step 5. The bottle is inserted into the hole bottom down.

Step 6. To prevent debris or soil from getting into the water from above, cover the neck with a piece of gauze or nylon.

How to arrange drip irrigation through bottles

Important! If you do not want water to evaporate from the container into the air, put a lid on the neck, but make at least one hole on it (the lid), otherwise the bottle will shrink when empty.

Method number 2 - Stick it in the ground with the neck down

The second method differs in that the bottle is inserted into the hole the other way around, bottom up. Accordingly, the holes are made either in the neck or in the lid. It looks like this.

Step 1. A hole is prepared with a shovel near the plant in the greenhouse. The diameter remains the same as in the first method, but the depth of the hole is much smaller - the height of the neck of the container.

First you need to dig a hole

Step 2. Several small holes are made in the neck or lid itself using a hot nail. Their number depends on how dense the soil is and how well it absorbs moisture - the better, the fewer holes there should be, and vice versa.

Step 3. Measure 4-6 cm from the bottom and cut off the bottom of the bottle using a stationery knife or ordinary scissors. If you do not want debris to get into the container from above or moisture to evaporate from it too quickly, the bottom should not be completely cut off, and then bent to the side, like the lid of a tin can.

Step 4. The part of the container where the holes are located is wrapped with fabric. If desired, the fabric can be placed inside, in the bottle itself.

You need to put a mesh cloth inside the bottle so that it does not become clogged with debris.

Step 5. The neck of the bottle is buried in the hole. If desired, the container can be buried at an angle of 45 degrees towards the root system.

Compared to the first method, digging a hole for a similar design of an irrigation system is a little easier, but in this case the water is not delivered to the entire root system of the plant, but only to the lower part. The choice of the more preferable option is up to you.

Method number 3 – Hang over plants

If you do not want to expose the root system of greenhouse crops, then the drip irrigation system can be placed not next to the plants, but above them. In addition, with this method, the soil around the roots is not washed away.

Step 1. A series of holes are made in the bottom of the bottle, as for the second method. And in the same way, part of the bottom is cut off from the container with scissors.

Step 2. Using a needle or nail, a couple more holes are made in the bottom of the bottle for wire or twine, on which the container will be hung in the greenhouse.

Step 3. The bottle is secured in such a way that the distance from the neck to the ground is from 35 cm to 50 cm.

Watering plants from a hanging bottle

Try to position the bottle so that most of the drops land on the ground near the stem, rather than on the leaves. This way, more water will reach the roots, and the likelihood of sunburn of the leaves will be significantly less.

Method number 4 - Using special attachments

The last method of creating a drip irrigation system will require a little more from you. cash costs, but at the same time it will save you from digging holes and working with nails and bottles. At your local garden supply store, you can purchase special dispenser attachments that can be screwed onto bottles (except five-liter bottles) instead of regular caps.

Watering cone on a plastic bottle

The container with such a nozzle is turned upside down and inserted into the ground at some distance from the plant stem.

An example of using a nozzle for drip watering indoor plants

This method is especially convenient when working with small crops or flowers.

Another variation of drip irrigation: only one hole is punched in the bottle, and a ballpoint pen is inserted into it. The writing tip is first removed, and the remaining ink is washed out with alcohol. The rod is directed to the area to be watered and fixed with garden varnish or simply plasticine.

Irrigation from below using a 2-liter plastic bottle

The original option is drip irrigation using droppers

As you can see, setting up a drip irrigation system from bottles in a greenhouse will not require much time and effort, and the results of the work will save you from a lot of hassle in caring for greenhouse plants.

Video - DIY drip irrigation from plastic bottles

Useful tips

Many summer residents are trying to create drip irrigation, so they are trying to learn more about it, because, having installed such irrigation, you can leave the entire system almost unattended.

The main advantage of drip irrigation is that it works autonomously, and you do not need to stand with a hose or walk with a bucket filled with water to water the seedlings.

However, it is worth noting that ready-made drip irrigation, which is powered by a water supply system, is very expensive.

A good and inexpensive alternative to ready-made irrigation is drip irrigation fromplastic bottle . This option cannot be called completely autonomous, since you will have to add liquid to the bottles.

The benefits of drip irrigation

With all this, the creator of such irrigation will still have time for other activities.

Several important advantages of drip irrigation:

1. No need to purchase material - everyone has plastic bottles.

2. This type of watering is easy to make, even for inexperienced summer residents.

3. Drip irrigation saves time and effort.

4. This watering system is easy to use - just go to the bottle and add liquid.

5. The root system develops due to the fact that all moisture goes under the top layer of soil, thereby feeding only the roots, without spilling over unnecessary territory. It also strengthens the roots of the plants.

6. Water consumption is significantly less and swamps do not form.

7. The excess surface remains dry, which means there are no conditions for weed growth.

Read also:Crafts for the garden

Simple DIY drip irrigation

As already mentioned, this type of watering not only costs almost nothing, but it is also very simple to do.

1. Prepare several plastic bottles and make holes in the bottom of each of them through which water will leak.

* The volume of the bottle depends on the area of the site. The minimum volume is 1.5 liters.

2. Bury the bottles in the ground at a distance of 1 meter from each other.

3. Now simply fill the bottles with water.

* The speed of watering directly depends on the diameter of the holes in the bottles.

* Experts advise making sure that water flows into the ground slowly.

* If desired, you can dilute compost tea in water - it is believed that the water will become more beneficial.

Do-it-yourself watering and flower bed from plastic bottles (step-by-step instructions)

In this design you can grow vegetables or herbs at home.

You will need:

Thick thread

Screwdriver

Hammer

Stationery knife.

1. Cut a plastic bottle in half.

2. Using a screwdriver, make a hole in the cover.

3. Cut a piece of thread 3 - 3.5 cm long, fold it in half and tie a knot at one end.

4. Thread the thread through the hole in the lid so that the knot is located in its inner part. This thread will carry water directly into the ground, giving the ground as much water as it needs.

5. Screw the cap back on and insert the top of the plastic bottle into the bottom, neck down.

* Monitor the amount of water and replenish the container if necessary. However, first, pour water on the ground and only then use the structure from the top of the bottle for watering.

Read also:15 original and useful crafts made from plastic bottles

Watering with your own hands at home (video instructions)

Watering from a plastic bottle with your own hands

Do-it-yourself watering system for a summer residence

You will need:

2 liter plastic bottles

Screwdriver

Stationery knife.

1. Take a utility knife and make 2 cuts at the base and 2 more cuts in the middle of the plastic bottle.

2. Using a screwdriver or awl, make 2 holes at the bottom of the bottle.

3. Check how much water flows from the bottle. Ideally it should drip.

4. Make a small hole in the ground to place the bottle in.

5. Pour water into the bottle.

How to do watering yourself

You will need:

1.5 liter plastic bottle

Screwdriver or awl

FUM tape

1. Using an awl, make holes in the side of the bottle. To make the process easier, heat the awl - it will penetrate the bottle more easily.

2. Insert the watering hose into the bottle. However, you should first wrap the end of the hose with FUM tape, thereby ensuring a tight connection between the bottle and the hose.

3. Use a clamp to tighten the neck of the sprinkler structure.

* You can also create vertical irrigation. You will need a small stake inserted into the ground. Attach the hose to this post.

4. You can improve the design using regular plastic handles. Use a 3 liter plastic bottle. Make holes in it slightly smaller than the diameter of the pen. Take the handles apart and insert the top half of each handle into the holes.

If necessary, seal the structure with FUM tape.

Make a hole in the lid and insert the hose adapter into it. It is advisable to treat this adapter with silicone glue to make it more airtight. This design will provide water to a large area of your garden and/or vegetable garden.

DIY drip irrigation from plastic bottles

This type of drip irrigation is best suited for plants with a small root system. It will not be able to feed long roots, but is great for watering shallow roots.

You will need:

Plastic bottle with cap (1.5 – 2 l)

An awl, a small nail with a hammer or a screwdriver

Stationery knife or scissors.

1. Make several holes in the cap of a plastic bottle. This can be done using an awl or a screwdriver. It is advisable to preheat the instrument.

2. Make a small hole next to the plants. It should be deep enough to insert 1/3 of a plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2 liters.

3. Using a utility knife or scissors, cut the bottom of the bottle.

4. Insert the bottle into the hole, neck down. Use earth to secure the bottle in place. Place some rocks around the bottle to keep soil out.

5. Fill the bottle with water.

Make several more similar designs for the remaining plants.

Do-it-yourself drip irrigation for your dacha

You will need:

Plastic bottle with cap

Stationery knife or scissors

An awl, screwdriver or small nail with a hammer

Thin fabric (cotton) or old nylon tights (to create a filter).

A fabric filter is needed to prevent soil particles or small debris from clogging the irrigation system.

The size of the bottle depends on the size of the plant for which watering is being prepared. For example, for one plant, a small bottle with one hole on one side is sufficient.

1. Make holes over the entire area of the plastic bottle. In this case, leave a little more than 2 cm to the bottom of the bottle. There is also no need to make holes in the lid. A 2 liter bottle should have about 10 holes.

2. Make a hole next to the plant. Its size should be equal to the size of the bottle.

3. Bury the bottle, leaving its neck on the surface.

4. Attach a nylon stocking to the neck.

* The bottle can be closed with a lid, or left without a lid. The only difference is the rate of evaporation of water from the container.

Now simply add water to the bottle when needed.

Do-it-yourself hanging drip irrigation from bottles

This type of watering is more suitable for short plants, including cucumbers or herbs. To make it, you need to make a frame in the shape of the letter P or G.

1. Bury the posts in the ground at both edges of the garden and attach a long stick to them, which should be parallel to the bed. The height should be such that the neck of the suspended bottle is about 50 cm from the ground.

* Bottle length - no more than 40 cm.

*The number of plastic bottles depends on the number of plants.

2. Using an awl or screwdriver, make several holes in the bottom of the bottle. Also make holes in the lid (their number depends on how much you want to water the plant).

3. Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle, and next to the cut edges make holes through which you need to insert a wire or strong rope and hang it upside down from the frame.

* Drops of water from the bottle should not fall directly on the plant, but between neighboring bushes.

* Now all that remains is to add water as needed.

How to make drip irrigation from a plastic bottle for a summer residence

Watering is an integral part of caring for any crop. We can say that without regular irrigation not a single vegetable will grow, and even if it grows, it will not please the gardener with a bountiful harvest. Unfortunately, you cannot limit yourself to simple watering from a watering can or bucket, because each plant has its own requirements. For example, cucumbers are suitable for drip irrigation. You can set up such a system by creating a cunning design with your own hands from improvised means.

Design and principle of operation

Drip irrigation is responsible for timely irrigation of plantings when using containers in which water can accumulate, for example, from plastic bottles. It allows you to direct liquid to each sprout, reaching the root zone. Plastic bottles create a direct interaction between water and earth. When the bottle is in the soil, the following process occurs: water seeps through the hole, the earth gets wet and plugs it. When the soil dries out, the hole opens and moisture flows in again. Natural regulation occurs.

This method is very suitable for cucumbers, because this crop requires large volumes of heated liquid. Sometimes water consumption even reaches 5 liters per square meter of bed. With the help drip device Watering crops becomes very convenient. It turns out to avoid excessive irrigation, which subsequently leads to decay and the appearance of fungal diseases. Although stores have a sufficient number of ready-made systems for this procedure, the device can be made independently, saving money and installation time.

Pros and cons of the device

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles has numerous benefits. Using the device allows you to significantly save water, which is much more wasted in the case of a hose or watering can. Watering does not require much time, because the system can work autonomously.

Often the garden bed remains on its own while the owners go to town, but the plantings do not flood or dry out. Drip irrigation is used everywhere: both in a polycarbonate greenhouse and on open ground of any composition. Plastic bottles are an affordable and cheap material, which does not require any additional costs.

The process itself is very effective. Warm moisture, having had time to warm up in the sun, gets exactly where it is needed - to the root system, and then evaporates very slowly. Fertilizers are also directed to a specific area. A hard crust does not appear around the sprout, and the top layer does not break and remains intact. In addition, there is no need to further loosen the soil. It is believed that weeds are extremely unlikely to appear in such a site.

Unfortunately, plastic system There are also certain disadvantages. The holes often become clogged, although this can be adjusted by using old nylon tights. The volume of liquid will be limited - as much as fits in the container, and it will not be enough for large plot. In general, the larger the area of cucumber plantings, the more inconvenient it is to use bottle structures - you will need too many of them, and the appearance of the garden will suffer.

On too hot days, some of the moisture will not reach the roots, evaporating along the way. In addition, the system will not work on heavy soils, since the bottles will often become dirty.

Manufacturing methods

There are a certain number of possibilities for installing a drip yourself. Some of them are suitable for both open and closed ground, and some can only be used under certain conditions.

In the greenhouse

A type of overhead drip irrigation is often installed in a greenhouse. Parallel to the cucumber rows, a structure is made of planks and wire. The bottom of the bottles is cut off and they are hung with the neck down by piercing them on both sides. A hole should also be cut in the lid. The amount of moisture used for irrigation will depend on the number of punctures. The structure must be installed carefully, because if water gets on leaves illuminated by sunlight, burns are likely to occur.

The height of the structure varies from 30 to 50 centimeters, and the length depends on the length of the bed itself.

In the open ground

If you place the bottle with the cap up, you get a universal system. Take a plastic bottle and use an awl to make holes in certain places. They begin at a height of 3 centimeters from the bottom, and end where the narrowing begins. Usually about 10 holes are pierced, but this number usually depends on the structure of the earth and the volume of the container itself. After this, a hole is dug near the cucumber bush.

The bottle should be placed in it so that only the neck remains above the ground - the upper conical part, in which there are no more holes. Before burying, the container is wrapped with cloth. Then it settles into the hole, carefully fills with water, and the lid is filled.

If there is a possibility of the bottle being squeezed due to the earth, then by piercing the cap you can solve this problem. It is also important to fill the container with liquid on time.

Homemade drip irrigation with the lid down is even easier. The bottom of the bottle is cut off and the cap is screwed on tightly. Holes should be punched around the container. The bottle is buried so that the planting is adjacent to it, but the roots are not injured - a gap of about 15 centimeters should be maintained. The top of the sprinkler can be wrapped with gauze to prevent debris from entering. This method is also universal.

The next type of irrigation is called root irrigation. To create the system, small bottles are taken, the volume of which does not exceed 1.5 liters, and their caps are pierced. Gauze or a piece of nylon fabric is stretched between the lid and the neck, then everything is twisted tightly. After this, the container is placed at a slight angle, and you should try to bury the neck as close to the root system as possible. The bottom cut should also be made inclined.

Instead of covers, you can also buy special attachments that simplify the installation process.

There is another one unusual way when creating an artificial dropper. Take the core of an exhausted ballpoint pen, wash it with a solvent to remove all remaining ink, and cover it on one side, for example, with a piece of a wooden stick. Somewhere at a distance of 5 millimeters from the end of the rod, a puncture is made with an awl - usually half the diameter of the rod. The bottle is placed either on the bottom or with the sealed neck in the ground. In the second case, the bottom will have to be cut off.

When the bottle is at the bottom, a cutout is made at a height of 15 or 20 centimeters from the bottom into which the rod is inserted. If the bottle is buried with the neck down, the hole will be located in the area where the neck narrows, and the rod is again fixed there. The containers are filled with water and then placed next to the plantings. It is important to close the lid tightly so that the water does not evaporate quickly. It is very convenient that such a structure can be moved and water the bushes one by one.

How to set it up?

The system will work effectively if the size of the containers is initially selected correctly. According to gardeners, one liter of water can irrigate plantings for five days, three liters for ten days, and 6 liters for two whole weeks. Therefore, it is better to use large containers, especially if you have to leave for a long time. summer cottage plot. Ideally, the volume of bottles should be 2 liters, if necessary - 5 liters.

The holes should be made very miniature so that their diameter ranges from 1 to 1.5 millimeters. Otherwise, the water will begin to drain too quickly.

The number of punctures and the size of the bottle also depends on the condition of the soil. When watering cucumber plantings, you will have to withstand temperature regime, because the temperature is lower than the temperature environment capable of causing irreparable harm. The optimal heat of water varies from +18 to +20 degrees in the case of open ground and from +20 to +25 degrees in the case of a greenhouse. If the heat sets in, reaching +30 degrees, then the water should be brought to +25 degrees. Ideally, settled liquid that has been heated naturally should be used.

The intensity of irrigation is determined by the number of holes and their diameter, so it is very easy to adjust. All this is selected individually depending on the needs of the plant. In principle, it is considered optimal when one drop of water flows out in a few minutes. According to experts, the irrigation rate is open beds reaches 4 or 5 liters of water per square meter of soil before the cucumbers bloom, and then from 10 to 12 liters per square meter during the formation of ovaries and ripening of fruits. In the case of drip irrigation, this volume is reduced to 80%.

Always ensure additional protection from soil and other debris. Bottles should be wrapped in burlap, nylon or some kind of non-woven material. Usually one container is taken for each bush, but if the area is small, then one container is enough for three or four plantings. It would be good to install drip irrigation even when the seeds are being planted, which will eliminate the situation of damage to the roots. You shouldn’t bury the bottle too deeply, because the cucumber roots are located quite close to the surface.

To learn how to make drip irrigation from a plastic bottle, see the following video.

Do you want to grow juicy, sweet cucumbers without bitterness? “Well, why are you asking, of course – yes!”, you will answer. Then know: main secret such delicious crunchy vegetables that everyone loves - timely and proper watering cucumbers It makes no difference whether you water these plants in a greenhouse or in the ground (in a garden bed). The main thing is to find the right approach to watering: know how often to properly water cucumbers and what needs to be used (except water) for this. Experienced gardeners who grow amazingly generous harvests of pimply green fruits have learned to make their own drip irrigation systems, using ordinary plastic bottles from mineral water and lemonades. At the same time, fertilizers and even yeast are often added to irrigation water.

To grow tasty cucumbers in a greenhouse, the gardener must monitor the regularity of watering and the ratio of soil moisture to air. Watering cucumbers in a greenhouse should be moderate - no more than five liters of water per 1 m² of seedlings once a week. After the first ovaries of plants appear, the amount of moisture consumed by plants increases: increase the volume of water to 12 m², and the frequency of watering to two or even three times every seven days. Be sure to follow appearance leaves. At the first yellowish spots or complete yellowing of the leaves, check the plants for pests and fungi. With excessive and frequent watering, the leaves of cucumbers also turn yellow, root rot appears, and the fruits themselves grow watery and tasteless.

Watering cucumbers in the garden differs from greenhouse watering in that the plants are constantly outdoors, under the sun, and often depend on the vagaries of the weather. It is stiflingly hot outside, and there has been no rain for almost a month and, it seems, no changes in the weather are expected - increase the rate and frequency of watering by 3-4 times. In the garden, during hot and dry summers, the volume of irrigation water increases to 20-30 liters per 1 m². Never water these plants with a hose: the root system of cucumbers is located close to the surface of the soil: you will damage it and wash out your own garden. For this it is better to use various devices, for example, plastic bottles for drip irrigation left over from mineral water and lemonade.

Proper watering. We irrigate the cucumbers with water with yeast, ash and mineral fertilizers

Most the right way watering cucumbers in the ground, and in the greenhouse - from a watering can and only slightly warm water. Cold water for watering - the best provocateur of root rot. Water must be poured carefully and slowly onto the stem so that its streams are gradually absorbed into the ground and do not violate the integrity of the plant’s root system. In your own garden, you can place a barrel of water or an empty rainwater tank. It is from there that you take water heated in the sun to water your plants. The rules for watering your cucumbers are easy to remember:

water them regularly, but not more than twice a week in moderate weather;
use only warm water;
Be alert for yellow leaves;
do not “flood” the plants or use a hose;
use mulching: this will protect the roots from exposure and damage.

When watering cucumbers, gardeners use various fertilizers, among which the use of yeast, ash and mineral fertilizers are the most popular.

Yeast
Dissolve a packet of dry yeast in warm water (up to 10 liters), adding 30-40 g of sugar to the mixture. Let the solution sit for 2 hours. Water the cucumbers with water with a yeast additive 2-3 times a month, and you will get bountiful harvest crispy cucumbers.
Ash
You can sprinkle the beds themselves with ash, but it will be more effective to dilute a glass of ash in a bucket of water and apply this type of watering up to 2-3 times a month. This method of feeding during watering does not require any expense or much knowledge.
Mineral fertilizers
When purchasing mineral fertilizers in specialized stores, follow exactly the instructions included with the fertilizer package. In most cases, fertilizers are used according to the following scheme: bag useful substances dissolves in water and water the cucumbers with this solution.

Secrets of drip irrigation from plastic bottles for cucumbers, video

Cucumbers are tropical plants, therefore they are moisture-loving. Drip irrigation from plastic bottles will ensure constant access of water to the roots of the plants. Do this simple device It’s very simple to do it yourself, and it doesn’t require any investment. To organize drip irrigation, take two-liter plastic bottles from gas or mineral water and cut off the top part of the “eggplants”. Make small punctures around the bottom of the bottles, sufficient in diameter so that water does not pour out of them, but flows out drop by drop (holes can be made with a hot nail). After this, dig a hole next to the place where the cucumber is planted and dig your homemade “watering device” there. Plant seeds around it: the emerging seedlings, and then adult plants, will receive moisture directly at the root - carefully, constantly and safely for the root system. In addition, the water from the bottles will drain slowly, having time to warm up in the sun beforehand, and your cucumbers will be watered correctly. Such a garden “unit” will save your time for caring for cucumbers and eliminate the possibility of mechanical damage to the plant when watering.