Drip Irrigation

[sandersj89]

Has anyone any experience of greenhouse drip irrigation systems and automatic timers fed from a mains supply?

I am thinking about getting a system for my main 8*6 greenhouse which will need to water 6 tomatoes, 4 peppers 3 aubergine, 20 or so chillies and a few other bits and bobs.

A quick research on the net seems to offer loads of solutions from complete kits to making up your own system from components. The two most common makers seem to be Gardena and Hozelock.

Has anyone got any tips or suggestions for a good system?

Is drip irrigation good enough to rely on whilst I am away on my holidays? (I have some one who comes into to water but I feel guilty making him do so much as he is in his 70's. If I can take the burden of the main greenhouse away I will feel better).

Thanks

Jerry
 

[tim]

I used drip for several years - for 80 plants or so - but activated for 1/2 hour or so daily - manually.

1. Nothing is perfect. If there's a blockage, Hard luck!
2. If it is directly off the mains, you may need a pressure reducer.
3. If your water is hard - like 16+ - you may find that it all clogs up.
4. But yours would be such a small installation that descaling would not be a great problem??
5. Ours was for a 30'X12'.

[Doris_Pinks]

Jerry I have the hozelock one set up in my greenhouse, it was on sale a few years back and came with no instructions! But have finally figured it out, and is easy to add new watering points and remove old ones by sealing the hole  

I manually turn mine on daily, which often leads to floods in the greehouse because I wander off to deadhead or whatever and forget it is on, so this year I think it would be prudent for me to invest in a timer ! 

Know what you mean about the holiday watering, I feel guilty my poor neighbour has to do mine, and I am sure she must worry about not watering my stuff properly and killing it all!

[derbex]

I use a Hozelock battery timer (with a seep system), been perfectly reliable to date -batteries (2 C cells last a year+). My only problem has been running out of water because it runs off the Butt.

Jeremy

[Aussie Chick]

I use a Hozelock battery timer (with a seep system), been perfectly reliable to date -batteries (2 C cells last a year+). My only problem has been running out of water because it runs off the Butt.

Jeremy

I would like to get one as well, ( going back home-oz, in  July/Aug). Can you tell me which one you use please. I will be running it off the butt as well. I have an 8x10 greenhouse. No electrics or mains.

[sandersj89]

Thanks for the input all.

I was looking around the greenhouse last night and having a count up for the number of drippers I would need, probably about 40 and I think they will need to be adjustable.

The other option would be micro jets I assume as these could cover more than one pot. This would be good on what we are calling the "Chillie Farm Bench" with over 20 chillies on it in 3litre pots.

Can you use drippers and micro jets on one system and can drippers be set at varying heights as some would be needed at close to ground level for grow bags and others will be needed higher up on the bench?

Jerry

[derbex]

It's an AC2 -theres a pic on this thread (2nd page)

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,9260.0.html

But shop around -you can sometimes get a timer in a kit.

Jeremy

[BAGGY]

 have just rigged up my greenhouse with one of those flat hoses with holes in it.  It was 99p from wilkos and is about 20foot long with a hoselock attachment.  We trailed it round the roof and every evening pulg it into the hose and give 20 mins or so.  If you wiggle is about a bit it covers most angles.  Would try to post a piccy but my greenhouse is such a mess and the plant are so titchy you'll all laugh at me 

[tim]

And do you know how much water it gives?? This is important.

I believe that the 'typical' one gives 1 gal/ft/hr.

Later - SORRY - I was referring to the round, black weep hoses.

[Trillium]

Hi Jerry,

I use a Hozelock AC1 timer.  It's very basic but does the job - you set it for a length of time, then it comes for the same length of time at the same time every day.

I don't use the trickle fittings - I use the spray bits that send water out ina 270 degree arc - I've sort of got them arranged so that everything in the polytunnel gets watered and means I can have small pots in there (cuttings and things) that also get watered. 

If I turn it to 'on' and attach my garden hose to water the veg spot, it turns itself off after 60 minutes.  At least I don't wake up in the morning to find part of the garden flooded - as has happened when I've had a couple too many sherbets at night!

Trillium

[Doris_Pinks]

Must buy timer, must buy timer.......................put the drip hose on and of course then went up the plot    = Flooded greenhouse!!

[Aussie Chick]

Can you get them for less than £30??

[Doris_Pinks]

AC I haven't looked yet, will let you know what I find!

[Aussie Chick]

Thanks. I have browsed Ebay and some shops but all seem to be £30. Would love to hear if you can buy one for less.

[Doris_Pinks]

AC, here is what I have come up with, anyone else found cheaper?  Watch our for the delivery charges, it may be cheaper to go to your local garden center!

http://www.garden4less.co.uk/hozelock_water_timer.asp?PARTNER=ht

http://www.charliesstoresltd.co.uk/products_asp/product_detail.asp?ID=1657

http://www.ferndale-lodge.co.uk/index.html?/wwwroot/results0.cfm?cat=15&search=4&RAND=0.66781617&affstart.cfm?a_id=201&m_id=6~mainframe

http://www.wangled.co.uk/garden/i83_hozelock_aqua_control_2_electronic_water_timer.html

http://www.haggul.com/Product.asp?PID=69731

[Aussie Chick]

Thanks for the links. They are all about the same price as the ones I found. Someone mentioned in a thread ( which i now can't find), wilkos has them cheaper, I've called them but our local ones don't stock them.

Are they really worth £30???

[Doris_Pinks]

I think for my peace of mind when we go away for a week they just may be!
I often sit and wonder if my stuff is being well watered, would hate to loose everything to a day or two forgotten by a very well meaning neighbour!

[philcooper]

Kays have a clockwork job for £27.50 inlcuding postage

Phil

[Aussie Chick]

Thanks I'll look there, haven't tried them,
AC