Do It Yourself (DIY) Drip Irrigation

The last time I got busy and missed watering my plants for two days, the scorching sun nearly killed them. The poor things just lay there wilting and hanging, pleading to be plugged out of their misery. Although I managed to revive a few of my little darlings, I pledged I will never again push them into this sudden death.

That's how I discovered do-it-yourself drip irrigation - a techie term for a very simple concept. It is one of the best ways to provide a steady water supply to your plants without worrying about giving them constant attention. Through this method a device is employed directly into the soil (of your potted plant) that slowly delivers water directly around the roots. And the best part is, by using recycled materials like waste beer or plastic bottles you can make your own drip irrigation system for free.

What I used, rather reused is an old pet (plastic) bottle and cut-off its bottom using a sharp knife. Then I drilled some 6-7 holes into the cap (which was tightly screwed on to the mouth of the bottle). 

With my drip-irrigant ready I dug a small pit into the soil of the pot next to the plant and inserted the bottle with cap side down. I dug the pit deep enough so that it allowed me to bury almost one-third of the bottle into the soil. 

And that's it - now every time I feel I do not have the time to water the plants, I simply fill my drip-irrigant with water which gradually trickles into the soil keeping it moist all the time. 

Few helpful tips in case you plan to follow DIY drip irrigation:

- If you want your drip irrigation system to work slower, drill fewer holes, and if faster, drill more holes. 

- Don't make the holes too small, the debris will clog them in no time. It is best to keep checking the cap from time to time to ensure the holes are free enough for the water to seep through.

- Tie an old cloth piece or a nylon sock over the the open end to avoid mosquitoes. 

- If you're a sucker for appearances, position the bottle in amongst a grouping of plants so it is hidden from view.

- You can add fertilizer to the bottle every few weeks so that your plants are fertilized right at the roots.

Hopefully this process will help some of you amateur plant-keepers who travel or keep too busy. Let me know if you ever need more helpful tips. Its a great way to learn more from these challenges.  

Comments

[Sid]

awesome idea or should I say typical to Indians, Jugaad. Sasta, Sundar, Tikau solution.

[chaussures converse]

It is very useful for saving water, more farmers should be encouraged to use that technique. There is also a very useful source for who wanna learn more:

[ralph lauren tee shirt]

Le coût de l'eau a récemment augmenté et ne fera que continuer à le faire, car la demande continue de faire pression sur cette ressource limitée. Même les propriétaires de forage sont maintenant face à des restrictions et les défis de la diminution de la nappe phréatique.

[ralph lauren tee shirt]

There is also a very useful source for who wanna learn more:these became the Kingdoms Vegetabilia (later Metaphyta or Plantae) and Animalia (also called Metazoa

[Steve]

Interesting post and thoughtful idea. Great DIY tips here.

[Insanity Workout]

Great article on drip irrigation. Very fascinating. Thank you for the tips!

[internet tävlingar]

Det finns människor som gör sin utkomst enbart från att komma in tävlingar på nätet.
gratis årsredovisningar
Strö ut, det är de tre stora klassificeringar.

[Aaliyah Aldaco]

This is a very nice idea. Drip irrigation has actually been used for centuries, it is said that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are watered using drip irrigation. The great thing about it is that it's very easy to do. Thanks for sharing your tips.

[Discount Mbts]

Very cute shoe on but it is way too wide and I don't have a narrow foot. It would be a good shoe for someone with very wide feet. It slips up and down on the sides and rubs my ankles until they hurt. Not the best shoe MBT has ever put out.

[cgfluid]

There are a ton of great DIY drip irrigation systems out there. The best one we've found was Orbit Irrigation's. Check out Orbit's drip irrigation supplies at their website and manuals to help get you project off the ground: http://www.orbitonline.com/drip-watering/03/

[irrigation systems]

Great Tip. Drip Irrigation is quite useful process for our crops. On the other hand it is useful for saving water and time and proper watering of plants.

[generic viagra]

Aristotle divided all living things between plants (which generally do not move), and animals (which often are mobile to catch their food). In Linnaeus' system, these became the Kingdoms Vegetabilia (later Metaphyta or Plantae) and Animalia (also called Metazoa

[Phentermine 37.5]

SMART TIP: Save scrap paper. Any old one-sided printed paper makes great scrap paper on the back.

[Drip Irrigation]

hey your useful tips are rocking especially that nylon socks one!!
thanks for the tips.

[çağlar keskin]

I am from turkey, drip irrigation usage increases day by day in here. It is very useful for saving water, more farmers should be encouraged to use that technique. There is also a very useful source for who wanna learn more:

http://agricultureguide.org/

[Drip Depot]

I did my drip irrigation system myself! I got all my supplies at Drip Depot.

[GJ]

Very resourceful... reminds me of the infomercial running on US TV channels lately : http://www.asseenontvandmore.com/newaqglwapls.html

[Angelo]

Share some ideas on how to cover an open terrace with plants (types and methods) so it blocks the heat.