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Greenhouse automatic irrigation system recommedations

rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
in Fruit & veg
I've always relied on hand watering tomatoes in the greenhouse but I have so many plants this year, plus cucumbers and cucamelons, that I really need to install an automatic system that can water 2-3 times per day. I will have 15+ large pots (30-50 litre) to irrigate. Please share your experience. Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Hozelock and Gardena both have kits available which work well. I use adjustable sprinkler type drippers to regulate the flow to each plant. Can be fiddly to set up initially but a great time saver overall. The consistency of watering is also a benefit.
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    I think I posted on this before, but for me the best system is Autopot. Its flood and drain system doesn't just water the plants, it waters them optimally to the point that when I used it, I got better results for tomatoes with Autopot than I did with checking and watering by hand. 

    The downside is that it's incredibly expensive, and because it's gravity fed you have to get the feeder tank higher than greenhouse staging. 20 gallons of water 5 feet in the air is concerning....!
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    How long does watering take with a hose pipe already laid out, compared to a watering can.

    What size is the greenhouse?
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Is there any good weblink for setting out a watering system with pots and garden beds? I have wide borders and can't imagine how drippers could be set up to wet enough of an area. The percolation width of water is very small.
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    edited May 2020
    I use these >>>> Self watering planter in my greenhouse. Not cheap but you only buy them once and you have them for ever. The plant waters itself from the wicking material inserted in the pot when you first plant your Toms, cucumbers, peppers in the pot.

    Heavy duty plastic and the only thing you need is wicking material which if you buy from this company is quite expensive.
    I buy it from Amazon as a 10 meter roll which is very much cheaper so far has lasted me 4 years growing and I still have half left.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Thank you for all your suggestions. Young Codger, the greenhouse is 8 x 12 and it's quite a way from the house. I have a toddler and baby so getting in there to water by hand with a hose when I have them in tow is tricky and no watering occurs if we're out, which we hope to be as lock down eases. I think it's going to be between the Autopot and Gardenia/Hozelock options, whichever I can get soonest.
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