Selecting a proper irrigation system is vital to the growth of your plants.In a greenhouse,you can’t rely on the rain.So,you want to ensure that your plants get the perfect amount of water.
There are several irrigation systems to choose from which can be daunting.You need to select the type that suits your own needs the best.This includes the size of your greenhouse,the type of plants,and how much time you have to invest into gardening.
Let’s start from the very beginning.The best way of picking the right greenhouse irrigation system is to learn about every option you have.This way you can see which ones would(not)be suitable for your situation.
What type of irrigation systems are there?
When considering which watering method to adopt in your greenhouse,you should learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.This way you can see which one would meet your and your plant’s watering needs.
Self-watering trays and capillary mats
This is probably the most uncomplicated watering method that still requires some manual work.They are a great choice for smaller greenhouses and novice growers.This may also be the perfect watering method for plants that don’t like water coming from above(e.g.orchids).
Self-watering trays give a constant water supply from below.They have a water compartment that releases moisture to the soil and planted plants above as long as there is water available.Some of them have a capillary mat that absorbs the water and releases it slowly.The potted plants can be placed on this wet mat and have access to water when they need it.
This watering system promotes deeper roots as their source of water is from below.Capillary matting and self-watering trays create a humid atmosphere that promotes plant growth and saves water.
As long as there is water in your reservoir,all of the plants will stay hydrated.Topping up reservoirs is done weekly.This makes it one of the lowest maintenance options available for amateur growers.
Pros
Saves time&energy
Affordable and labor-saving
Easy to set up
Delivers a consistent water supply
Promotes better roots and plant growth
Reduces risks of plant diseases caused by overhead or overwatering
Cons
Not all growing mediums are good choices for this irrigation system
The capillary mats can grow algae that may attract gnats
Plants may still require top-side dosing of water to flush out fertilizers
Not an automation that works on its own(still need to refill manually)
(Over-head)sprinklers
This irrigation system is usually used for crops that tolerate wet foliage.Overhead sprinklers utilize pipes placed above the plants and fitted with nozzles that can be adjusted to varying spray ranges.You can also install sprinklers in-ground(think lawn sprinklers)but in greenhouses it’s more common to mount them to the ceiling.
A sprinkler system saves time but it should be checked often to ensure it is working properly.Overhead sprinkler systems work best for watering small transplanted plants until they are ready to be placed in a garden or flower bed.
Pros
Inexpensive and very easy to set up
High and regular watering can be effectively achieved
Easy to automate or to control manually
Efficient on medium coarse-textured soils
Cons
Creates an environment where plant diseases thrive due to leaf wetness and overhead watering
Poor quality water can clog the sprinkler nozzles
Operating cost may be high
Frequent applications may be needed to recharge soil
Uses more water:Water may evaporate because of heat or sunshine which increases water costs
Water distribution(all is watered the same,no customization for specific greenhouse areas)
Misting(spray)system
This system is great for large greenhouses and propagating seedlings.It is the best option for a greenhouse with lots of seeds that need regular watering.
Misting systems only release small amounts of water droplets(mist).Sprinklers,on the other hand,use a lot more water when running and are only used for a short time.Misters can either run for longer or automatically spray every 15 or 30 min(depending on your needs).
Pros
Can be timed and automated
Helps with keeping the greenhouse cool
Medium to low initial investment
Perfect for greenhouses that need regular watering
Perfect for tropical greenhouses
Cons
Less efficient and wasteful if not managed properly
Water distribution(all is watered the same,no customization for specific greenhouse areas)
Some plants may not like the humidity that it creates
Possible plant diseases caused by overhead watering and constant wet environment
Drip irrigation systems
The drip system is preferable because it is scalable to any size and good for all purposes.It is basically a hose with multiple heads(emitters)that release water at set intervals throughout the day.
A drip irrigation system can be set up on the surface or buried within the soil.The heads should be close to the plants for efficiency.
This system releases slow drips of water over time so plants do not dry out.This also minimizes water waste.It requires water pressure,so is often combined with a solar-powered pump from a water butt and can be completely automated.
The drip system is very useful for greenhouses of any size,as they can be scaled perfectly up or down.
Pros
Can be automated and programmed based on many factors
Reduces water usage(no evaporation,water on leaves)
Better water distribution because you can adjust it precisely
Emitters can be adjusted,closed,or opened
Water can be collected,treated,and reused
Cons
Requires electricity for pump
Cleaning and maintaining the system can be challenging
Further investments are required to collect,treat and reuse water
May cost more to set up
Clogging of nozzles could happen
Soaker hoses
This watering system is a little similar to drip irrigation.Soaker hoses also water the plants from below as they sit inside the soil.
These tubes don’t have emitters,though.The material is porous which means it constantly releases small amounts of water into the soil.
This is an effective way if you don’t want to plan the nozzles according to the distance of your plants.However,you cannot adjust the amount of water in specific areas.So,this watering system will work great for raised beds but not for individual pots.
Pros
Easy installation
Low maintenance
Inexpensive
No need for much planning
Conservative with water as there won’t be any evaporation
Can be automated with a tool at the faucet
Clogging isn’t an issue
Cons
No adjustments to water distribution
Limited usability
Must be installed relatively level
Maintenance and repairs could be challenging
Off-grid solar-powered irrigation systems
Maybe you’re not a fan of running an irrigation system on power and that’s why you’ve been avoiding installing one.We totally understand!
Solar-powered irrigation systems require no water or electricity supply.This makes them completely self-sufficient and perfect for your smaller greenhouse.You could still attach it to a water hose in case you had a long drought.
Solar-powered irrigation systems come in the form of drip irrigation,connected to a rain barrel that utilizes the sun to pump water through the hose at regular intervals throughout the day.
Pros
No fuel costs or electricity
Environmentally friendly
Less labor and maintenance
pollution-free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation
Cons
Can’t pump water when it is dark
High initial costs
Requires lots of space as efficiency is not 100%yet
Lower production in the winter months
So,which greenhouse irrigation system is the best?
Now,we hope that you’ll be able to answer this yourself.If not,let’s go through the main facts real briefly.Generally,drip irrigation and soaker hoses are preferred because they serve the water from below.They are superior for water management and precise watering.The drip system is a multi-purpose system.So if you are looking out for an option that you can scale to any size,consider the drip system.
Overhead watering will use more water and it can(but doesn’t have to)cause plant diseases or pests.
If you have tropical plants that love a wet climate or if you need to cool your greenhouse(think Southern states),you may go with the misting system as it will be more suitable for your needs.
Overall,all watering systems can be irrigated automatically(powered or off-grid)so you can water crops with minimal stress.
Picking the right irrigation system for your greenhouse is the key and there is always a system out there that will suit your needs.You must be realistic about the size of your greenhouse,the plants you can grow,and how much you can afford to invest in an irrigation system.
