What is automatic watering and what is it like?

Content
  1. What it is?
  2. Appointment
  3. Description of types of automatic irrigation
  4. Popular brands
  5. System selection
  6. DIY design and installation

The presence of an autowatering system on the site makes the life of its owners much easier. Using it, you can not only preserve the attractive appearance of plants, but also improve their productivity.

What it is?

The automatic irrigation system is a technical complex capable of providing uniform watering of plants. Several basic elements are included in this design.

  • Sprinklers. This word denotes watering devices. In modern systems, they are usually found underground. During watering (under the influence of water pressure), they move to the surface and begin to work. At the end of the process, they again sink into the ground.
  • Control block. The controller is used to adjust the duration and power of the watering. For more convenience, it is recommended to buy an automated system with a timer.
  • Pipeline. In addition to the plastic pipe system, it includes fittings that connect them together and a box to protect the valves.
  • Pump. It is he who creates the pressure of the water and feeds it in the right direction. The pump for autowatering must be powerful, reliable and supplemented with special filters that can protect the equipment from small debris.
  • Rain and frost sensors. They control the weather and record rainfall or sudden drops in temperature. When it falls below zero or it rains, the plot is not automatically irrigated.

In some cases, the kit also includes drip irrigation equipment. If settled water from a well is used to irrigate the site, then a large irrigation tank will also be needed. In it, it will be perfectly warmed up and cleaned.

Automatic irrigation systems have many advantages.

  • Watering does not consume a very large amount of water. The moisture goes directly to the plant roots and does not evaporate.
  • The site owner has the ability to control each individual irrigation cycle.
  • Watering is done carefully. Water falls only on plants, without splashing at the same time the benches, gazebos and fences standing next to it. In addition, it does not erode the soil.
  • The smart autowatering system is equipped with special sensors that are able to react to the weather. This means that it will not turn on in rain and frost.
  • Structures of this type are made from quality materials. Therefore, such a system serves for a long time.

Buyers attribute their high cost to the disadvantages of automated irrigation systems. But this price is quite justified, because the automation of the irrigation process frees up a large amount of free time for a person.

Appointment

Automatic irrigation systems, as a rule, are installed in summer cottages. You can use them for regular irrigation:

  • lawn next to the house;
  • a garden with fruit or ornamental trees;
  • plants in greenhouses;
  • home flowers growing in flower beds or a vegetable garden;
  • open beds;
  • indoor and balcony plants in pots or pots.

Using a modern automatic irrigation system, you can make your site green and beautiful without much difficulty. It contributes not only to uniform watering of plants, but also to humidify the air, as well as to cleanse fruits and leaves from dust and insects.

Having installed an automatic system on your site, you can safely leave it for a couple of days without fear for the condition of the plants.

Description of types of automatic irrigation

Today there are several major automated irrigation systems.

Sprinkling

Sprinkling irrigation is very popular among gardeners. In the process, water is sprayed over the soil surface, moistening not only it, but also the surface layer of air. This allows you to speed up the process of plant growth.

Watering beds, lawns or flower beds using this method can be done at any time of the day, using different amounts of water. At the same time, no grooves and channels will form on the site.

There are several different types of sprinklers.

  1. Static. They differ in that they water the soil in only one direction. These models are suitable for watering a lawn or flower garden, which is located next to a building or some kind of fence.
  2. Rotary. These sprinklers are mounted on a special stand. With the help of a built-in turbine, they can rotate in a circle, watering most of the site. As a rule, they are installed right in the center of the lawn.
  3. Pulse. These sprinklers feature a built-in ratchet mechanism. They are great for irrigating large areas. They are often installed next to garden paths.

You can choose any suitable option for your site. In some cases, people prefer to install several different sprayers in the yard or garden at once.

Subsoil irrigation

This irrigation method delivers water directly to the plant roots. This allows them to maintain the level of soil moisture they need for a long time. A big plus of this method of irrigation is that it takes quite a bit of water to irrigate the site. At the same time, the plants are developing very well.

The disadvantages of such automatic irrigation systems include their high cost and the need to completely rebuild them when changing crops in the garden.

Drip irrigation

This irrigation method also allows plants to be moistened with very little water. The pipes through which it flows are located below or above the ground. Water flows through them directly to the roots of plants. Moreover, it gets there in small doses.

The advantages of this system include its economy and the ability to supply water to the roots along with all the necessary batteries. Its disadvantage is that it can easily fail if its holes become clogged with salts or dirt.

Surface irrigation

This type of watering is pretty straightforward. Water does not immediately reach the roots. As with conventional watering with a hose or watering can, it immediately hits the ground. There are several methods for surface irrigation.

  1. Flooding. Water is supplied in large quantities, evenly distributed over the entire surface of the site and slowly enters the soil.
  2. Bubbler. A special nozzle is used to supply water. It's called a bubbler. Water is supplied to the roots of plants in small quantities. This can significantly reduce fluid consumption.
  3. On the furrows. Moisture enters the soil through specially made grooves in the beds. They need to be created near the rows of vegetables or flowers in a flower bed.

The autowatering scheme needs to be selected, focusing on your needs and capabilities.

Popular brands

In order for the system not to fail, it must be of high quality. It is recommended to buy constructions made by trusted brands for your site.

Hunter

This American company was one of the first to produce automated irrigation systems.Therefore, even now it occupies one of the leading positions in the market. The products manufactured by this company have many advantages:

  • ease of use;
  • availability of weather sensors;
  • durability and strength.

They use water quite sparingly. They can be installed both in the country and in public places, because all the components are located under the soil layer, and not on the surface of the site.

Rain bird

The American company has been producing automatic irrigation systems for over 70 years. Therefore, manufacturers trust this brand.

Automated irrigation systems from Rain Bird use less water and energy. They can be controlled via a computer. A big plus of the systems from this brand is that they can be under a layer of damp earth for several decades without deteriorating or corroding.

It is also worth noting that water for irrigation passes through filters, so it enters the roots of plants in a purified form. This has a positive effect on their appearance and the quality of the crop.

Gardena

This German company was founded in 1961. From the first years of its existence, she was engaged in the creation of various garden tools. Today the company is a leader in the field of watering equipment.

Automatic irrigation systems from the Gardena brand can be controlled through a special application. Anyone can customize them by spending a little time reading the instructions.

Karcher

Equipment from this brand is also very popular among summer residents. Their irrigation systems are easy to install and are suitable for any site. The water flow is conveniently regulated. Therefore, everyone can set the water flow required for a particular plant variety.

Automatic irrigation systems from the Karcher brand are of high quality and attractive design. You can choose the right option for any site project.

System selection

When choosing an autowatering system, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

  • unit power;
  • ease of installation and dismantling of the system;
  • water and electricity consumption;
  • the level of noise generated;
  • resistance of various elements to the effects of chemical compounds in water and fertilizers.

Each of these parameters is important in its own way.

DIY design and installation

Many summer residents prefer to install autowatering systems on their own, without resorting to the help of specialists. This must be done carefully so as not to break something at the first stage.

Sprinkler systems

Before installing an autowatering system on the site, you must first prepare a drawing that will indicate the location of both the plants growing there and the paths.

After that, it is necessary to carry out a calculation and determine how many pipes and sprinklers should be located on the site. The best time to mount the system is in the fall. In this case, it will be possible to water green spaces from the very beginning of spring.

To lay the pipes, a suitable trench must be dug. A dense layer of rubble must be laid at its bottom. After that, you can start laying the pipes. In the places of branching, they must be carefully cut and a tee installed on them. A hose is connected to it, which diverts water to the sprinkler. An articulated knee is attached to the end of such a branch. This allows the height of the sprinklers to be adjusted.

When the system is fully installed, you can begin attaching the nozzles to the sprinklers and attaching the sprinklers to the articulated arms. At the end of this work, you need to bury the trenches. Sprinklers must be carefully positioned on the same level with the ground. The soil around them must be well tamped.

Next, you need to install a solenoid valve and connect the pipeline to a powerful water supply system. The last stage is the installation of the software controller, which is used to activate the system. When everything is ready, the system needs to be tested.

If it works well, there will be no further problems with its operation.

Subsoil irrigation systems

Such systems are present in many areas, in greenhouses or greenhouses. They are installed in almost the same way as sprinkler systems.

For the installation of the structure, the first step is to prepare the site. The bottom of the trenches dug in advance must be covered with a thick plastic wrap. Purchased pipes of a suitable diameter can be laid on top. The pump is neatly connected to the storage tank. Next, a modern controller and a simple filter are installed.

To check the quality of its work, a few days after the installation of the structure, it is necessary to excavate the ground in different parts of the garden or vegetable garden and check how well it is moistened.

Drip

Such systems are usually installed in small areas. Similar designs are suitable for watering small garden beds and flower beds.

A minimalistic drip irrigation system can also be made from a regular rubber hose. To do this, you need to make holes in it in the right places and bury it under the ground or just lay it in the aisles. By connecting a hose to a pump, the plants can be watered at any time. After harvesting, it can be removed by rewinding it back onto the spool.

Plastic bottle construction

Everyone can afford to install such a simple design for watering plants. To create it, you need to use plastic water bottles. Next to trees or bushes, you need to install a solid support and tie an empty bottle to it.

Using a thin nail in its lid, you must first make a small hole. To make the process easier, the nail must be preheated. After that, the bottle must be filled with water and secured with the neck down next to the bush. You can also take a different route and punch a hole in the bottom of the bottle. In this case, it must be fastened with the neck up.

This method of irrigation is very convenient. During the day, the water warms up in the sun. Therefore, already warm liquid gets to the roots.

Besides, it enters the soil immediately without touching the leaves, which is also very important. The only drawback of such a system is that the bottles need to be refilled with water from time to time. But this process takes very little time.

Using the same tools at hand, you can make the simplest drip irrigation system. To do this, several identical holes must be made in different parts of the bottle. Having typed water into it, you need to bury it in the ground next to the plants. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the roots. Over time, the water from the bottle will flow into the ground.

When it is completely empty, you will need to remove the lid and refill it with water.

For any installed system to last longer, it must be properly cared for.

  1. Once every 2-3 weeks, water filters must be cleaned of dirt. The sprinkler heads should also be cleaned.
  2. Defective filters must be replaced immediately. If the system works without them, the bacteria that are in the stagnant water will easily disable it.
  3. At the beginning of winter, automatic systems must be dismantled and stored. Before dismantling the pipes, all the water must be drained from them and from the pumping station.
  4. Humidity sensors should only be stored in a warm room.

If you follow these simple rules, the automatic irrigation system will last for a long time.

1 comment
Vyacheslav 19.02.2021 20:21
0

Very helpful.

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