Drip irrigation from a 5 liter bottle. Drip irrigation from plastic bottles for vegetables and other plants

There are ways subsoil dosed irrigation, allowing, with a minimum amount of water, to deliver precious water directly to the roots, ensuring a continuous supply of moisture to a wide variety of plants - flowers, bushes and trees.
Intrasoil watering is also preferable in greenhouses - it allows you to keep the surface of the ridge dry, weeds do not grow, the soil does not bake, especially if it is covered with mulch, it does not need to be loosened, as the soil breathes. Less fumes and less disease.
They especially love root watering tomatoes.

The bottom of a plastic bottle (2.5 liters) is cut off by one third so that it can be used as a lid (the lid is needed so that the water evaporates less). The cork is screwed tightly, and in it drilled two holes with a diameter of 2 millimeters or burnt through hot nail (100-120) hole.
In general, the number of holes must be selected empirically, taking into account that To water one vegetable plant, an average of 0.25 liters of water per day is required.

The next step is to place the bottle directly near the root of the tomato or pepper. The best time for installation is directly during planting. But don’t despair, it can be installed in a few weeks.
We retreat 15-20 cm from the tomato stem, carefully dig a hole 10-15 cm so as not to damage the roots of the tomato plant. Next, insert the bottle with the lid down at an angle of 30-45° and carefully bury it.
To prevent the irrigation hole in the cork from getting clogged (which happens especially often on heavy clay soils), place dry grass, burlap or fiberglass at the bottom of the hole under the neck of the bottle, or secure it all directly to the neck by pulling a nylon stocking over the bottle.

Watering is as follows: we walk through the beds and fill the bottles with water; when watering from plastic bottles, the water will slowly flow directly to the roots of the tomato. You can also feed the plant, saving fertilizer.
You can also use these bottles to water cucumber, pepper, eggplant, pumpkin and many other plants in your garden.
The method of watering from plastic bottles is suitable for those who cannot visit the garden or dacha every day.

If you use a purchased long plastic nozzle, you don’t have to bury the bottles. But in this case there is a danger that the bottles will be blown away by the wind.

Drip irrigation has long established itself as the best way to irrigate plants. It allows you to give the roots the necessary amount of moisture and nutrients, while being the most economical in terms of water consumption. In addition, drip irrigation systems offer the opportunity to organize “delayed watering,” which is important for summer cottages that the owners visit only two to three days a week. It is not difficult to build a drip irrigation system with your own hands. It is easiest and cheapest to use ordinary plastic bottles as the main “building material”. So, we make a drip irrigation system from plastic bottles ourselves.

Advantages

Before we begin to describe the technologies for making an irrigation system from plastic bottles, let's figure out why drip irrigation is considered the best. Compared to other irrigation methods, it has a number of advantages:

• Water is supplied directly to the root system. Thus, a “swamp” is not created around the plant, the constant presence of which is harmful to some crops;
• Water consumption during drip irrigation is minimal, since it is used exclusively “for its intended purpose”;
• The absence of excessive moisture in the area allows you to avoid the appearance of rot and the development of planting diseases;
• Drip irrigation is the only way to deliver water to plants in a timely manner when there is no one to look after them;
• And finally, you can make a drip irrigation system yourself, using only “available materials”. Thus, it will cost you practically free.

Well, now, having convinced ourselves of the undeniable advantages of drip irrigation, let’s proceed directly to the manufacture of an irrigation system.

Method using a sponge

What you will need:

• Plastic bottle;
• Foam sponge (washcloth).

How to do:

The manufacture of this drip irrigation system is the simplest of all those proposed. It is enough to pour water into the bottle, and instead of a cork, stick a piece of foam sponge of the appropriate size into the neck.

If water seeps through the sponge very much, try taking a larger piece of foam rubber. By experimenting, you can achieve the desired intensity of watering.

After this, we place the bottle near the plant, so that the neck with the sponge is located near the root of the plant. As the sponge gets wet, excess moisture will drip to the root, providing water to the plant.

The advantage of this “system” is its ease of manufacture. The disadvantages include the impossibility of accurately adjusting the intensity of watering, rapid water consumption and the need to disassemble the structure for filling.

Bottle with rod

What you will need:

• Plastic bottle;
• An empty ballpoint pen or a cocktail tube;
• Knife or scissors;
• Match or wooden toothpick;
• Awl;
• Wooden or metal peg;
• Wire or tape.

How to do:

This watering system can be made in two ways: by attaching the rod to the bottom of the bottle or to its neck. In the first case, the bottle can be installed on the ground without additional equipment; in the second, the process of adding water to the bottle is greatly simplified.

In any case, the first thing you need to do is prepare the rod. To do this, wash out the remaining ink from it (in the case of using ballpoint pen refills) and close one of its ends with a plug. To do this, you can use a piece of a match or a wooden toothpick. Using an awl, make a small hole 3-4 millimeters from the closed end.

Initially, the hole should not exceed 0.3 millimeters in diameter. In the future, if necessary, it can be expanded, but it will not be possible to reduce it.

Now, 1-2 centimeters from the bottom of our container, we make a hole into which we insert the rod. It is no coincidence that the word “container” is used instead of the word “bottle”, since depending on the manufacturing method you choose, the bottom of the container can be either at the bottom of the bottle or at its neck.

Please note that the rod must fit into the container as tightly as possible.

If you have placed the rod at the neck of the bottle, then you need to screw it (the neck) with a cork. We cut off the upper part of the resulting container, and essentially the bottom of the bottle, using a knife or scissors.

It makes sense to “capture” 2-3 centimeters of its wall along with the cut off bottom of the bottle. By making a vertical cut on it, this part of the bottle can be used as a lid to protect the container from debris.

Now fill the bottle with water and see how quickly the liquid flows out through the hole made at the closed edge of the rod. The optimal speed is 10 drops in 5 minutes. If the water flows out more slowly, it is enough to slightly widen the hole in the rod.

The finished system is installed near the plant, and the end of the rod is placed in close proximity to the root system. To do this, the container with the rod is attached to a peg of sufficient length using wire or tape. The free end of the peg is stuck into the ground next to the plant.

Despite the fact that a bottle with a rod at the base can be placed without additional equipment, we recommend strengthening it with a peg, as this will prevent the bottle from tipping over due to gusts of wind.

Now all you have to do is pour water into the bottle and the drip irrigation system is ready for use.

If the bottle is positioned upside down, to water it you need to unscrew the cap a little to allow air to enter the bottle.

This drip irrigation system is one of the most effective. The advantages are the ability to irrigate several plants from one container (for this, an appropriate number of rods are installed in the bottle), ease of adding water and the ability to accurately adjust the speed of its supply. The only disadvantages include the relatively complex manufacturing technology.

What you will need:

• Plastic bottle;
• Awl;
• Knife or scissors.

How to do:

Making this drip irrigation system is very simple. The bottom of the bottle is cut off with a small piece of the wall, on which a vertical cut is made. As in the previous case, this part of the bottle will serve as a cap.

Near the neck, several holes are made with an awl through which liquid will flow.

The more clay soil you have on your site, the more holes you need for normal watering.

All that remains is to bury the bottle near the plant so that all the holes are underground. After filling the bottle with water, moisture seeping through the holes will provide the root system with a sufficient flow of water.

Holes can also be made at the base of the bottle, and water can be poured through the neck.

Ease of manufacture and the ability to irrigate several plants at the same time (in this case, the bottle is dug between them, and holes are made around the entire circumference) are the undoubted advantages of this system. The disadvantage is the fact that it is difficult to determine the intensity of watering, since the “working area” of the bottle is underground.

What you will need:

• Plastic bottle;
• Awl;
• Wire or rope.

How to do:

This drip irrigation system is suitable for those who have supports next to their plants. Although if they are not there, it is not a problem to install stakes between the plants.

As in the two previous cases, we cut off the bottom of the bottle, making a lid out of it.

At a distance of 1-2 centimeters from the cut bottom, we make two holes on opposite sides of the bottle. We pass a wire or rope through them, with the help of which the bottle can be hung on guy wires stretched between the supports. Make a small hole in the bottle cap. If the flow rate seems too slow, the hole can be widened.

You don’t have to make a hole in the lid, but simply unscrew it a little, allowing the water to flow out at the desired speed.

Now you need to hang the bottles over the plants, after which the work on making the “irrigation system” can be considered complete.

Today you will learn how you can make an automatic sprinkler with your own hands from discarded garbage and a plastic bottle. Now you can safely go on a long trip, as your favorite plants will be automatically watered with a homemade automatic waterer.

Advantages of drip irrigation:

Saves water by 2-3 times compared to other irrigation methods.

Targeted irrigation supplies only the bushes of vegetable, fruit or ornamental crops with moisture - the weeds are left without recharge.

Autonomy. You can leave tender, freshly planted pepper or tomato seedlings unattended for a week without them drying out.

The soil does not harden or crust over, as with heavy watering.

Drops do not fall on the leaves. The problem of plant burns in hot weather and fungal diseases or rot with regular evening watering is eliminated.

Water does not flow into puddles and does not fall on the paths between the beds.

Do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles is an alternative to expensive drip irrigation systems. It is very simple and quick to do, especially if you have a sufficient amount of empty plastic containers and an hour of free time.

DIY drip irrigation

Method number 1: bottle neck down

The bottom of the bottle (about 5 cm from the bottom) is cut off with scissors or a knife. At this time, it is better to screw the lid on, punch a hole, and only then cut off the bottom - it’s safer.

2-4 punctures with a diameter of no more than 0.3-0.5 mm are made in the neck or lid. The throughput capacity depends on the number of holes and their diameter.

The bottle is buried 3-4 cm near the stem. A piece of fabric or a piece of nylon tights is placed inside so that the hole does not become clogged with debris. They can be fixed at the very bottom - the water will remain clean all the time.

If desired, the container can be hung near the bushes by the neck or upside down. With this option, soil will not fall into the holes. Plus, it's easier to fill with water.

It’s very convenient when everything is attached to a wooden rail: you just need to thread strong wire into the bottles and hang them on the crossbar using these “handles.”

Everything is done very simply. I tie a one and a half bottle with the bottom cut off from under the water to the trellis above each bush. I stick the system into the neck of the bottle and, using a wheel, regulate the force of the droplets flowing to the roots of my plants. Fertilizers are supplied very easily through the same system: I make a solution in a bucket, then pour it into bottles and through the dropper the nutrients go directly to the roots.
As you can see from the photo, there is nothing complicated in my design.

Method number 2: holes in the bottom

The simplest option: one or several holes of the required diameter are made approximately 25 mm from the bottom, and filled plastic eggplants are placed next to each plant.

You can make more holes and bury the bottle itself near the bush, which it should supply with moisture.

In this case, the container can be placed between several plants.

The lid is removable, and you can save yourself from debris using a nylon “bandage”.

To pour water, you will have to use a watering can.

Another variation of drip irrigation: only one hole is punched in the bottle, and a ballpoint pen is inserted into it. The writing tip is first removed, and the remaining ink is washed out with alcohol. The rod is directed to the area to be watered and fixed with garden varnish or simply plasticine.

Or like this:

Tip: water not over mulch, but into cut-off plastic bottles to reduce moisture (from late blight).

Method number 3: for the lazy

There are special tips with holes on sale. They are screwed on instead of a cap, after which the bottles are turned upside down and placed near each plant. Changing the water is convenient and quick, no debris gets inside, and in general this irrigation system looks aesthetically pleasing.

Advice: During drip irrigation, you can add liquid fertilizers to the soil - they will also be used purposefully.

And one more method for caring for seedlings in vases or indoor flowers:

1. The bottom of one bottle is cut off, and a hole is made in it, equal in diameter to the lid of the second bottle.

2. Two cuts (or cuts) are made in the neck of the second vessel, the lid is screwed on, and the prepared bottom of the first bottle is threaded up.

3. The resulting structure is filled with water and quickly turned over onto a deep tray or oven tray. All pots with flowers or seedlings are placed there.

Water will flow out gradually as it is absorbed. For such watering, it is better to take small bottles so that they cannot accidentally tip over under their own weight.

The system can be improved at your discretion: equipped with hoses and a reservoir with a supply of water so that the container is filled independently, or additionally use droppers.

Drip irrigation: pros and cons

Unfortunately, this experiment did not reveal any advantages. Unless without financial investments.
(Added after vacation) After this experiment, I still had to save at least something from the plants. I simply placed the hose on the garden bed and left the faucet open so that the water came out drop by drop per second or so. After 13 days, the soil in the garden bed was wet over an area of ​​about 60 cm in diameter. I think at shallow depths the water spread even wider. The plants are alive. But my area under plants is very small and this was enough for me and here is a VIDEO:

If you are the owner of a summer cottage or are planning to purchase one soon, you should understand that caring for a garden will then become a regular task.

Plants grown in the countryside need constant feeding, and it is not always possible to ensure timely access of water to the soil.

Installing a practical water supply system in a summer cottage is the simplest solution to the problem, but even this method has many disadvantages associated with the cost of equipment and the volume of liquid consumption. And watering with a hose requires effort, time, and - most importantly - personal presence. So how can you ensure the safety of your plants at all times?

One of the most effective methods available to every summer resident is drip irrigation using plastic bottles. This mechanism ensures a continuous supply of water in the required quantity to each section of your garden. The implementation of this method will seem quite simple even for those who have not previously cared for plants.

Considering how many bottles are thrown away every day, finding all the necessary materials will be very simple and quick, and providing watering with bottles will not require much effort.

How to make your own drip irrigation from plastic bottles? The construction of such a system is done very quickly. All you need to do is collect enough plastic bottles to water tomatoes, cucumbers and other plants that have limited access to water at a certain time. Thanks to the variety of methods for such equipment, each of you will be able to choose the most practical option, and, if desired, decorate your garden.

Our article contains methods of drip irrigation and a video of drip irrigation of garden beds from plastic bottles with your own hands.

Do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles, photo

Benefits of drip irrigation

A do-it-yourself drip irrigation system made from plastic bottles is one of the most famous options for caring for a garden. The popularity of this method is associated with a large number of advantages.

One of the most important advantages is possibility of organizing irrigation without experience in such work. Even a child can be tasked with creating a drip irrigation system from plastic bottles, since the preparatory work does not require much effort.

Other positive characteristics of such a system include the following capabilities:

you can implement it yourself, without requiring additional help;
• acquisition of necessary materials will not require high costs(typical for the purchase of modern drip installations), and in some cases, preparation may generally be free;
• when ensuring watering of beds using plastic bottles water flows to the roots of plants without spilling in the surrounding area and without creating the possibility of the formation of swampy areas that spoil the plantings;
• watering with plastic bottles is possibility of minimal but effective fluid consumption. Water will flow to the plants in the right quantity, which distinguishes such a system from more expensive ones;
• strictly defined humidity level maintained using this method will create the most favorable conditions for growth, preventing rotting processes, preventing diseases and other undesirable consequences;
• in cases where you do not have the ability to regularly monitor the irrigation process, homemade drip irrigation from plastic bottles will be the best solution to the problem;
• to install such a system no special skills or knowledge required, and the process itself will be quick and hassle-free.

Regardless of the size of the space, planting characteristics, specific climate conditions and other factors, the use of plastic watering bottles will prevent many problems and ensure the safety of your plants.

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles, photo

Preparatory process

How to make drip irrigation from plastic bottles? First of all, stock up on the right amount of auxiliary materials.

In order to create a comprehensive irrigation system, you will need:

• empty bottles (choose the size of plastic containers depending on the type of plants and the expected watering time);
• ordinary stationery rods;
• a small knife (preferably a stationery knife);
• awl.

Some methods require the use of additional materials: plasticine, foam rubber, matches and other items.

Before you start preparing containers, rinse the bottles thoroughly. All possible methods of drip irrigation from plastic bottles involve creating small holes for moisture to enter the soil.

Important! When using pen rods to create an irrigation system, take care to avoid any paste or caps.

At subsequent stages, depending on the specifics of the chosen method, the rod will be attached to the container and inserted into the soil, ensuring unhindered access of the liquid to the internal structure of the soil. This mechanism promotes the gradual entry of moisture, prevents excessive flooding of the site and maintains favorable conditions for growth.

Since you will not always be able to control the watering process, take care to securely fasten the structure: strong gusts of wind can break unstable containers.

Depending on the type of planting, choose the most suitable option. For example, watering a tomato through plastic bottles is done under the soil, while flowers can also be watered externally.

Common watering methods

Method No. 1

The features of the simplest option for drip irrigation at the dacha using plastic bottles are almost completely outlined in the preparatory work. This method does not involve the use of additional materials: it is enough to cut a hole in the bottles to allow liquid to enter.

The stationery rod is closed on one side with a stopper. A small hole is cut 3-4 mm from the cork. The finished rod must be inserted into the bottle, filled with water and placed near the plant.

Method No. 2

To water the garden using plastic bottles, create a hole 20-25 mm from the bottom of the bottle: a rod will be attached to it, supplying liquid to the soil. The cork from the bottle is unscrewed, and the container itself is placed in the soil with the neck up.

Attention! When initially testing this method, it is recommended to monitor the process of liquid inflow: analyzing the rate of water inflow and the degree of its absorption into the soil will allow you to determine the required volumes of liquid and the need to create other holes.

By increasing the size of the hole, you can change the volume and time of water flow. Do not forget that in hot weather moisture will evaporate, so periodically add water to the installed container.

For uniform watering over 4-5 days, about 10 drops per five minutes are required. Of course, you will not achieve the desired results the first time, so check the speed and volume of irrigation at the initial stage of watering.

Method No. 3

Quite often, summer residents wonder how to make drip irrigation with their own hands from plastic bottles in flowerpots and boxes with seedlings? This method will not cause you any difficulties either. It is enough to secure the bottle next to the flower or plant in such a way that the liquid flows to the roots of the seedlings.

A small hole is made at the bottom of the bottle to allow moisture to enter. Then, using twine or wire, the structure is fixed at the desired height and filled with water.

Important! Despite the effectiveness of this method, it is not recommended to use it regularly. Watering plants using this method is suitable for those cases when you need to leave the dacha for several days.

Method No. 4

One of the most popular methods of do-it-yourself drip irrigation at the dacha from plastic bottles is the use of stable two-liter containers. In this case, the bottle is washed out, a small hole (0.3-0.5 mm) is cut in the lower part to allow air to enter, the container is filled with water and immersed in the ground with the neck down.

The soil will prevent excessive flow of liquid, and the size of the container will allow you to forget about the need for irrigation for a long time.

Attention! This method will only be effective if water can seep into the soil and the neck will not become clogged with soil.

Do not forget that the roots of the plants should not be damaged during this installation. For example, watering tomatoes using plastic bottles requires great care, since the roots of such plants are extremely susceptible to outside contact.

Method No. 5

To implement this method, you need to cut off the bottom of the selected container. Small holes are pierced throughout the entire area of ​​the bottle, and the cap is screwed tightly to prevent excessive liquid inflow.

Advice: Depending on the nature of the soil, the number of holes will vary. For irrigating sandy soils, two holes are enough, and for loamy soils - from four.

The finished bottle is installed in the soil approximately 15 cm with the top down. If you want to prevent debris and soil from getting into the irrigation fluid, cover the cut portion or do not cut the entire length of the bottom of the bottle.

Do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles for cucumbers can be done by piercing holes not in the bottle, but in the closed lid. In this case, the moisture will concentrate in a strictly established place, without spreading due to pressure.

In addition to watering cucumbers using plastic bottles, you can care for eggplants, peppers and tomatoes in this way.

Method No. 6

The next option is suitable for those who do not know how to water the beds using plastic bottles without digging the container into the ground. It is enough to take a large bottle, fill it with liquid and close it with a piece of foam rubber from the neck.

The finished container is placed next to the plant (closer to the root system) in a horizontal position. To allow air to enter, leave part of the bottle unfilled.

A video on how to make drip irrigation from plastic bottles will help you learn about the intricacies and details of this process and study in detail the features of the practical implementation of the proposed methods:

Skillful use of plastic bottles in the garden will allow you to save money by providing reliable and long-term protection for plants, regardless of the weather.

As a rule, large containers with a volume of one and a half to two liters are used for this purpose: this size is enough to provide the necessary nutrition to the plants even in your absence.

All plants need moisture for full development, but, unfortunately, natural precipitation is not always enough for optimal soil moisture. Regular watering from a watering can will be effective only in small beds, but in this case the soil will have to be loosened after each watering to break through the crust that has formed. If the sprinkling method is used, the plants run the risk of sunburn, especially if watering was carried out in the middle of the day. In addition, when using this method, water consumption increases significantly, which is not always rational. There are many methods of artificial irrigation, but the most effective is the drip method, in which moisture comes directly to the roots of the plant through the soil.

On the market you can buy ready-made drip irrigation systems that you simply need to install on your site. The only drawback of such systems is their high cost, but drip irrigation for a small garden or greenhouse can be done with your own hands, using ordinary plastic bottles for this purpose. In this article we will look at the advantages of this method of irrigation and how to arrange it on your own site.

What is drip irrigation from a bottle

The essence of any drip irrigation is that water flows to the plants not from the outside of the soil, but directly into the soil or to the roots. If we talk about ready-made drip irrigation systems, then their package includes a hose, tapes and the droppers themselves, which are installed directly next to each plant. In addition, to set up such a system, you will need a reservoir in which water will be stored and heated for further entry into the system.

Most often, drip irrigation systems are used in greenhouses, where the arrangement of beds is standard. Of course, such systems are also convenient for open ground, but their owners should be prepared for the fact that in the fall the watering hoses will have to be rolled up and distributed again in the spring, after the ground has been plowed and the location of the beds has been precisely determined.

Drip irrigation from plastic bottles is the easiest way to provide plants with the necessary amount of moisture (Figure 1). But before installing such a system in your garden, you need to carefully weigh all the pros and cons of watering so as not to waste time and effort.

The advantages of watering using plastic containers include:

1. Water saving: conventional drip irrigation necessarily requires large supplies of water. That is, there must be a well, borehole, water supply or water storage tank on the site, and the volume of this container must be at least 250 liters. If your garden is small, and there is no own water supply or well on the site, such an irrigation system will be completely unprofitable. Watering from plastic bottles is a completely different matter, since it requires much less water to introduce moisture into the soil than conventional watering with a hose or even a watering can.
2. Autonomy: By digging several containers into the ground near the irrigated crops, you can safely leave the beds unattended for several days. Water from the container will be evenly consumed, and the plants will receive the required amount of moisture without your intervention.
3. Versatility: drip irrigation from plastic containers is suitable for all types of soil and methods of growing crops (in open ground, in a greenhouse or in raised beds).
4. Spot moisture penetration: Watering ensures that moisture is directed directly to the roots. As a result, only cultivated plants receive the water necessary for growth, which significantly reduces the development of weeds and reduces future labor costs for weeding.

In addition, arranging such watering will not require a lot of time and money: you just need to collect the required number of plastic containers, prepare them and dig them into the ground near the plants.

Figure 1. Homemade drip irrigation system

The advantages of the method also include the literacy of the watering itself. The water in the container warms up during the day and flows to the roots already warm. This helps reduce the number of diseases. In addition, moisture getting directly to the roots does not lead to the formation of a crust on the surface of the soil, which means that loosening will have to be done less often. Using drip irrigation, you can also fertilize, but this method is only suitable for growing seedlings. You just need to add liquid fertilizer or a growth stimulant solution to the irrigation liquid, which will be evenly consumed as moisture is absorbed into the soil.

However, along with the advantages of the method, this simple watering also has some disadvantages. First of all, it should be taken into account that the holes through which moisture enters the soil often become clogged. To prevent such troubles, part of the tank with holes should be wrapped in nylon tights. This material will act as drainage, trapping debris. At the same time, it does not decompose in the soil and does not lead to rotting of the roots.

Note: Due to the installation features, watering from plastic bottles can only be installed in small areas. In a large garden, it will be problematic to arrange it due to the large number of containers. In addition, such beds will not look aesthetically pleasing, but, if desired, you can install watering containers only near certain crops that are especially sensitive to lack of moisture.

It should also be taken into account that only a limited volume of liquid can be poured into the container, and in hot weather it will quickly evaporate without reaching the roots. In addition, watering from plastic bottles is not recommended for use on heavy soils, since in such soil the holes quickly become clogged and the entire system becomes unusable.

How to make drip irrigation from plastic bottles

There are quite a lot of options for watering through plastic bottles, so you can easily choose the method that suits you best. Regardless of the option chosen, the plants will receive a sufficient amount of moisture, and you will have the opportunity to do other gardening tasks without paying attention to watering for several days.

Next, we will look at the simplest, most effective and popular ways to organize watering through plastic containers with detailed installation technology. Using our tips, you can independently arrange such irrigation on your own site.

Watering through the rod

A watering system from a plastic bottle using an empty ballpoint pen is considered one of the most effective. The manufacturing technology and further installation of such a structure is in many ways similar to conventional drip irrigation, since moisture flows through the rod directly to the roots of the plant (Figure 2).

To make an irrigation rod, follow these instructions:

1. Take a used ballpoint pen, cut off the writing part and rinse thoroughly with water so that no ink remains inside.
2. One end of the rod must be closed with a match or toothpick. Then step back 2-3 cm from the closed edge and make a small hole in the rod.
3. Now you need to attach the rod to the bottle. The fastening depends on how you dig the container into the ground. If it is positioned with the neck down, the hole for the rod is made at the level of the hanger, and if the neck is up, 10-15 cm from the bottom.
4. The rod is inserted into the hole with the closed end outward and the junction with the bottle is sealed. To do this, you can use plasticine, clay or any other material that does not melt in the sun.

Figure 2. Watering system from a bottle and a rod

After all the preparatory work has been carried out, you simply need to install the bottle near the irrigated plant, pointing the rod towards its roots. When using this irrigation method, moisture goes directly to the roots, and the intensity can be changed by adjusting the diameter of the hole in the rod. As a rule, when using two-liter containers, soil moisture is maintained at the proper level for five days.

Watering soil from bottles

There is another, simpler way to arrange watering from ordinary plastic bottles. To make it, you will need containers with a volume of one and a half to two liters. Holes need to be made in the walls through which watering will be carried out (Figure 3).

Note: The number of holes directly depends on the type of soil. For sandy soil you will need only two holes, and for heavy clay soils and loams - at least four.

The holes are made with a gypsy needle, approximately 4 cm from the bottom of the container. The number of holes depends not only on the soil type, but also on the plant variety. If you are going to organize irrigation for moisture-loving crops, you will have to make holes across the entire surface of the tank, but for drought-resistant plants, only a few holes will be enough.

After the containers have been processed, the bottles simply need to be buried to a depth of 10-12 cm in the aisles or between plant bushes. In this case, the neck should protrude above the surface of the soil, since through it you will replenish the water supply in the bottle.

You just need to fill the container with water and close the lid. You need to make several holes in it in advance to allow air to flow inside.

Figure 3. Subsurface irrigation options

Another option for arranging watering from a plastic bottle is to dig the container upside down. To do this, you need to make the required number of holes in the lid depending on the type of soil and crop, close the bottle tightly and dig it into the ground. The bottom needs to be cut off, but not completely, so that a kind of lid is formed on the container, which will prevent moisture from evaporating too quickly.

It is believed that the second option is more convenient, since filling occurs through a wide hole and there is no need to use a watering can to pour in liquid. In this case, the plants receive the same amount of moisture both through the holes in the walls of the bottle and through the lid.

If you are away longer and are concerned that the plants will suffer from lack of moisture, you can use five-liter containers instead of regular bottles. But when using such containers, it is necessary to make more holes, not only in the walls of the bottle, but also in its lid, so that water enters the ground more intensively. In addition, the bottle can be dug into the ground not vertically or horizontally to increase the watering area. In this case, holes are made on the lower walls, and the upper part is cut to form a lid for filling the container with water.

Mounted irrigation systems

In small beds, you can also install overhead irrigation by simply hanging water bottles above the plants. To do this, you need to install strong supports near the plants and secure containers of water to them (Figure 4).

When using this method, the bottle can be hung arbitrarily: either with the neck or the bottom down. Holes are made accordingly: either in the cap or in the bottom of the bottle.

Figure 4. Mounted irrigation system

The advantage of this method of drip irrigation is that the water supplied to the plants has time to heat up under the rays of the sun. This condition plays an important role, since cold water used for irrigation can cause the development of diseases. In addition, mounted drip irrigation allows you to freely adjust the direction of the drops. For example, if you are concerned about your plants getting sunburned, you can adjust your watering so that only the roots get the liquid. Other plants that require not only watering, but also moistening of the leaves, can be completely provided with such care by hanging the bottle in such a way that the water gets not only into the ground, but also onto the above-ground parts.

Overhead irrigation has one significant disadvantage: over time, the fertile layer of soil begins to wash out at the point where the water enters. To prevent this from happening, the location of the bottle must be changed periodically.

The arrangement of drip irrigation from bottles is shown in more detail in the video.

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