How drip irrigation works

With these systems, even small ones, the water needed by plants is reduced by 70 percent. Waste is eliminated. Furthermore, water stagnation and evaporation are avoided.

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water saving drip irrigation
We should all use drip irrigation. For the plant that we have on the balcony, on the terrace, or even for our garden. It allows for huge savings in water and first of all, it eliminates its waste. Drip irrigation works in a very simple way and is particularly suitable for vegetable garden plants, especially when, as in the autumn and winter months, watering does not need to be abundant as there is rainwater. In drip irrigation, water is distributed slowly through small drops directly to the root system. Tubes with emitters are placed on the ground, next to the plants, and the slow but constant and direct distribution allows for good growth of the drip-irrigated plants. 

HOW IT WORKS

Drip irrigation is the most sustainable for two reasons: it allows you to water the plants without pauses, keeping the soil moist but not to the point of creating mould and spaces for aphids; rationalises the Water consumption, avoiding its waste and also reducing the energy consumptionDrip irrigation systems come in many different forms, some even designed for small grow spaces. But the operating principle is always the same, regardless of size: water passes through a system of low-pressure pipes and drippers, then reaches the plants, drop by drop, according to their needs. It's estimated that with a drip irrigation system, water consumption drops by 40-70 percent, depending on the type of plants being watered.

WATER SAVING DRIP IRRIGATION

Agriculture absorbs the majority of Italy's water withdrawals, and many liters are not used properly. But is it possible to grow crops without wasting our most precious resource ? Water crises are increasingly frequent, but virtuous agriculture is possible. In Italy alone, drought is a problem that potentially affects half the country. Suffice it to say that Lake Bracciano is losing about a centimeter of water. This is an alarming figure. It's no coincidence that several municipalities in Lazio are rationing water, with all the consequences that this entails for residents and the economy. This problem particularly affects geographical areas through which natural water flows. Lake Garda, for example, is currently only 34,4 percent full, while the Po River, at the Ponte della Becca in Pavia, is about 3 meters below freezing. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce waste. One of the most cost-effective is drip irrigation . A thrifty alternative for growers and home gardeners.

Water saving drip irrigation advantages 3

READ ALSO: How to water plants without wasting water

ADVANTAGES OF DRIP IRRIGATION

The first country to use it was Israel, in the mid-twentieth century. In the following decades, it spread to various continents and even reached Italy. The success of drip irrigation is due to its advantages . Here are some:

  • water savingIrrigating fields with this technique saves 40 to 70 percent of water. The range is wide because much depends on the type of plant grown. However, it is a good result considering that in agriculture Water consumption accounts for 60 percent of total demand.
  • Simplicity. Compared to sprinkler or sprinkler irrigation systems, drip irrigation distributes water close to the roots. Therefore, the amount of water and frequency of application are more suitable for the crop.
  • Capillarity. Water reaches the soil thanks to drippers, which act as small, independent sources capable of distributing drops in all directions. This allows for optimized irrigation times.
  • Efficiency. Even if the final savings depend on the plants grown, drip irrigation is still cost-effective. If we consider a plantation of tomatoesFor one kilo, 200 liters are needed with sprinkler irrigation. With drip irrigation, however, only 80 liters are needed, thus saving more than 50 percent of water.

Water saving drip irrigation advantages 2

READ MORE: Water, all the waste we get. In networks, in homes, in the countryside.

RAIN IRRIGATION KIT

Even those with a small plot of land can reap the benefits of drip irrigation . There are many ready-to-use drip irrigation kits on the market . All you need to do is assemble them. To leave nothing to chance, we'll tell you what you need and how to set up the system.

ACCESSORIES

  • Control Unit
  • Polyethylene pipe
  • ¼ inch capillary tube
  • Fittings
  • Drippers (the quantity varies based on the number of plants to be irrigated).

MOUNTING

  • Drilling the polyethylene pipe
  • Insert a fitting
  • Attach a piece of ¼ inch tubing to each fitting so that it reaches the plant.
  • Connect the tube to a dripper to be inserted into the jar or in the vegetable garden plant, that's it.
  • Finally, to avoid wasting water, you can program drip irrigation. In this case, you can do without the control unit. Then, connect the polyethylene pipe directly to the tap and let's start watering our garden.

And don't miss this video which explains how to proceed with thedrip irrigation in pots and on the terrace:

DRIP IRRIGATION AND PLANT DISEASES

Drip irrigation It significantly reduces the risk of disease and weed growth that can destroy our crops. Because the leaves stay dry, drip irrigation prevents fungi and bacteria from reaching them. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for the dreaded  pesticides To keep them away. In general, drip irrigation improves plant health and is a form of prevention.

HOW MUCH DOES A DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM COST?

A drip irrigation system has a cost around 12 euros per square meter, significantly lower than an underground system, which ranges between 15 and 20 euros per square meter. Then there are the labor costs for installing and testing the system and the cost of any design. Ultimately, for a space of one hundred square meters, the cost will be around 1.500-1800 euros. If you want to automate your drip irrigation system, you'll need to budget for an additional 180 euros. It is easy to find different suppliers on the Internet, and compare quotes before choosing the one best suited to our cultivated space.

GARDEN WORK, MONTH BY MONTH:

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