The summer is upon us, and who doesn't love that? In no time, the greenhouse will be filled with tomatoes and other vegetables for us to enjoy throughout the summer. Perhaps you're also planning a summer holiday and will be away from the greenhouse for a shorter or longer period of time.

Now, the question arises: Who will take care of the greenhouse while we're on holiday? I believe many of us face this predicament every year.

The solution may be asking a neighbour or some family members, but not everyone has that option. An excellent alternative is a drip irrigation system. A drip irrigation system waters the plants automatically while you're away on holiday. The system utilizes the unique magnetic properties of water molecules. These small water molecules actually attract each other, similar to tiny magnetic pearls on a string.

A drip irrigation system has a simple structure. It consists of a water tank connected to a hose. The water flows from the tank into the hose, which then directs it to the greenhouse and to your plants. The water passes through the drip lines and drips onto your plants. The water is naturally drawn through the drip lines and into the soil, resembling pearls on a string. This phenomenon is also known as capillary action or the capillary effect.

There are various types of drip irrigation systems available on the market. At Spirekassen, we are fortunate to have one of the new models: the Irrigate Solar Automatic Watering System SOL-C12L. This model can be purchased at Juliana Greenhouses.com 

 

One of the advantages of this drip irrigation system is that it can be connect to the rainwater butt. The system is solar-powered, which means it has a small pump that pushes the water and aids the capillary action. The pumping effect allows for greater flexibility in positioning the system in relation to the drip lines. In traditional drip irrigation systems, the water tank had to be placed high near the greenhouse roof to rely on gravity. However, this is no longer necessary with solar-powered drip irrigation systems.

The Irrigitia system offers another advantage by increasing watering during full sun and hot weather. The plants receive water every three hours. As long as the rainwater butt is full, the plants will take care of themselves. Now, you can leave for your summer holidays without any worries.

Drip irrigation – facts  

• It is a clear advantage to use drip irrigation for pots, planters, or individual hanging baskets. They tend to dry out fast on hot summer days. The drip irrigation keeps them moist.
• Tomato and cucumber plants love drip irrigation.
• However, make sure you don’t place the drip line too close to the root neck of your cucumber plants, as the root neck should be kept as dry as possible.
• Citrus, peach, and fig trees love drip irrigation as well.
• Peppers and chili plants benefit from drying out between waterings. When you stress your plants by allowing them to dry out, they will automatically produce more fruits.
• It is therefore a good idea to sometimes remove the drip lines, in order for the plants to dry out a bit in between watering.
• Remember to always have a drainage hole at the bottom of pots and containers that are being drip watered.

Drip watering is not only for the greenhouse

You can easily use a drip irrigation system in the garden in places, where you have lots of pots, for example on the terrace. The construction is the same.

 

Video guides

Video: Irrigatia

Video: Irrigatia