Automated watering system
c_h_r_i_s
Posts: 12
Hi,
I have just taken over an allotment and am planning on building an automated watering system to water the vegetables.
I am thinking of doing it in one of three ways:
1. Use moisture sensors in the soil to trigger a valve that waters the dry area when the moisture gets below a certain level.
2. Simply using a timer to water for a little while in the morning and evening (or something like this).
3. Using a combination of 1 and 2 so that the plot is watered in the morning but the amount is dependent on the soil moisture.
What I'd like to find out is whether it is better to water vegetables (and fruit) as soon as the soil gets dry enough or do they grow better with more scheduled watering?
I am guessing that it depends on the vegetable/fruit so am wondering whether anyone on here has a list of vegetables/fruits and their watering preferences?
Thanks!
Posts
I would say the worst thing for any fruit/veg is excess - too wet then too dry or uneven watering. I would go with the morning/evening routine when take up is better and the supply therefore more even. I feel it is more easy to control than soil sensors - strikes me more things could go wrong...but maybe that's just me!
That is true, the sensors are another thing to go wrong. However, it would be more automated that way, with the timers I'd have to change them regularly based on time of year, how much rain there has been etc.
I am leaning towards a combination of both, that way I can have the routine watering but I check before turning the water on whether the soil is wet already (and if it is then I miss out that watering session).
So, will I need to have different settings (different amounts of water) for different vegetables? And if so, is there anywhere online that I can find this info?