Automatic watering

Retirement means the opportunity to take a holiday at the drop if a hat is hard to resist! The problem is one's garden management and, in particular, watering ones precious tomato crop in the greenhouse.
I have researched the Internet and seen lots of irrigation systems that are cheap, but having used similar products for hanging baskets, found them tempermental at best. I have also seen a cistern solution that might allow feeding too. However, neither of these really appeals - has anyone got a recommended solution that is reliable, robust and automatic?

 

Hi Mellor welcome to the forum, i bought these Grow Bag Waterer - 2810- Hozelock last year when we went away, we only went for a week and the plants was fine still some water left in the reservoir,

Usually more you pay for a system the better it should be,

BUT it would be very easy to make your own system to how you want it, plastic pipe and glue fit connections are quite cheap now days connect it up to a timer https://www.screwfix.com/p/programmable-digital-water-timer/18480 and it will last for years.

 

Hi @Mellor3456 to GC....Martin is quite good regarding do it yourself and you won't go wrong but other members will also reply

 

We used to spend time away in the caravan, sometimes several weeks. I set up a system. I ran a hose fro the outside tap to the greenhouse. As the GH is wooden framed, it's easy to attach bits and bobs. I fitted a non-return tap with a 'Y' outlet, giving me two outlets. Outlet one has the garden hose fitted. Outlet two i attached a battery operated timer. From the timer unit I used ordinary 1/2 inch hose secured to the roof glazing bars by means of cable/pipe saddle clamps. The affixed hose went along one side of the GH, across the center path and back down the other side. To seal the end I simply bent a couple of inches of pipe and secured with a jubilee clip. Prior to fixing the pipe. I had purchased a couple of packs of jet nozzles, pieced the pipe at about 18 inch intervals and screwed the nozzles in. It takes a day or two to come to grips with setting the timer. Trust me. The system works great.

 

Yes various types available some examples here.
Antelco Sprayers & Accessories Garden Micro Irrigation Systems-Multi Item | eBay

 

I have a very large greenhouse and have a watering system very much like martin-f....I also have it set up with 3 zones watering every other day to once a week. Water times are well with the price and replacing the batteries every year is a must....

 

Hi Barb, i haven't got this setup but that's what i will do in the near future, ive done plumbing work for many years so it will be a walk in the park setting it up,

I only have a small 8x6 greenhouse so not much work to do, some pictures of your setup would be useful Barb if and when you can find the time

 

LOL Mine has been set up for years and years..Things are overgrown in there... but I will go there and try to take pics of the important stuff...over the years things get changed as the seasons and environment changes so we just tie off a thingie and add another some place else. One day we should start from scratch again BUT bet that will never happen...LOL

 

Thanks it might help peeps who wish to set there own system up .

 

This is flexible black pipe designed for Raindrip low pressure system but it will work for any lo pressure system.


These are quarter inch black tubing designed for low pressure. We find the fittings from on line garden or greenhouse places.


These are battery operated water times that go into the gang valve "below". We used plastic gangs years ago and I decided that metal would be much better.




Can you see the black pipe with the small quarter inch black tubing that is plugged? That is what we do when we don't need it anymore..


We like spinners the best.


Large pipe and small tubing for drippers



See more of the watering piping and tubing. Plants grow into it sometimes...what a mess....LOL


Ventilation is very important even in winter so think about that..




It automatically turns on when the temp gets too high.

Here is a picture of inside my greenhouse a few years ago...It is too much of a mess for you all to see it this week..LOL

You can see how the water pipe can sag over the years. We use electric wire ties to hold them in place and they break over the years in the sun. This year we have to fix the poor thing..

 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my greenhouse...First is my avatar

 

Thanks Barb a nice system and greenhouse you have there

 

Oh thank you. We used to have small brunches with friends out there on Sundays. But then we got overgrown with things and it's not fun anymore.. I clean the greenhouse out after we get the outside stuff in the gardens ready. It all comes together by the end of June...

 

I see all you liking my posts here..They are so hard to take pics of, for the system is old and up in the air and hard to take pics of...guess it works, after all...

 

I can see them clearly Barb