How to make a drip irrigation system for cucumbers using plastic bottles

Cucumbers

A DIY drip irrigation system for cucumbers using plastic bottles will help you gain independence from permanent residence at your garden plot and save your harvest. Placing polymer containers next to cucumber bushes to supply water to the plants delivers liquid directly to the root system, evenly moistens the substrate, and reduces evaporation.

What is drip irrigation?

A drip irrigation system delivers measured amounts of water to a plant's root system or its green parts. Uniform and periodic wetting of the soil improves crop growth, promotes root development, and supplies nutrients from the soil along with the water.

Simple drip irrigation You can make a homemade cucumber watering system from plastic bottles for both greenhouse and open-ground crops. A system for metered and uniform water supply is convenient due to the following advantages:

there is no need to be constantly at the dacha to water the beds;
plants receive the necessary moisture during dry periods;
a small flow of liquid evenly moistens the soil layers;
Drip irrigation is suitable for any type of soil;
there is no competition for moisture between plants;
Point application reduces the number of weeds on plantings.

Interesting!

The first drip irrigation systems similar to modern ones appeared in Afghanistan in 1861. Interesting facts about micro-irrigation have been known since ancient times, when clay containers with holes through which water slowly trickled were placed near plants.

Drip irrigation systems not only moisten the soil for healthy crop growth but also supply plants with liquid fertilizers. Micro-irrigation is the most convenient way to deliver water to roots and green parts without the risk of wastage.

Design and operating principle

To set up a dosed watering system for cucumbers in a greenhouse or garden beds, familiarize yourself with the system's design. A homemade micro-irrigation system using plastic bottles involves placing empty drink containers near the plant.

To create a drip water supply device, follow the algorithm:

prepare polymer containers of different volumes (1.5, 2, 5 liter bottles);
Depending on the installation method, make holes in the walls with a heated needle. Using an awl or knitting needle for this purpose is impractical due to the high liquid consumption and the need to refill the container frequently;
Make multiple micro-holes, directing the flow into the segment being treated. For example, perforate bottles placed between closely spaced cucumber plants on several sides. For containers placed at the edge of the beds, perforate only the segment closest to the cucumber plants. The more micro-holes you make, the more moist the soil will be;
Place the polymer container as close to the stem and roots as possible to create spot watering without wasting moisture on empty areas;
Place the bottles in a position that ensures stability. Bury them shallowly, provide supports, or tie them down.

Therefore, to create micro-irrigation, place plastic drink containers near each bush or close to densely planted plants. If you can't regularly visit your garden plot to water the crops, use larger bottles (5 liters and larger). During dry periods, you can safely leave the plants for 5 days.

The principle of water supply is based on the law of gravity. Water, under its own weight and gravity, will rush into the holes and seep through them. The moistened soil will create a dense mass that will seal the holes, and watering will cease. Once the substrate dries and loosens, the liquid will again flow out of the container.

Pros and cons of the device

https://youtu.be/RCnJ5_Cnvd0

Using drip irrigation for cucumbers in open ground and greenhouses has many advantages. Cucumbers are moisture-loving plants that are sensitive to moisture deficits. Even if they are constantly located near a vegetable garden, micro-irrigation will create favorable conditions for cucumber bushes.

Advantages drip water supply systems using plastic containers are:

available raw materials;
Eco-friendliness. Don't throw away used containers, but reuse them;
no skills or special tools required;
The system's versatility. Use micro-irrigation in greenhouses, in garden beds, not only for cucumbers but also for other crops, in flowerbeds, and for watering hedges;
Save effort in your garden. No need to water your plants every day. Monitor the water level in the containers and top up as needed. Placing 5-10 liter bottles near your cucumber plants will eliminate watering for 5 or more days, depending on weather and temperature conditions.
point supply of water to the roots and uniform irrigation of the soil directly next to the crop;
a metered flow that is naturally shut off by plugging the holes with swollen soil;
no risk of over-watering or drying out of the substrate;
the ability to fertilize crops with fertilizers in an easily digestible liquid form;
no erosion or washing away of the soil, exposure of the root system, or leaching of nutrients from the soil;
unfavorable environment for the growth of weeds between bushes;
minimal moisture content between the mulch layer and the soil, which eliminates the risk of fungal diseases developing;
rapid heating of water poured into a container;
easy installation process;
rational consumption of water or nutrients.

Among the disadvantages, it's worth noting that the micro-irrigation method is difficult to implement on large agricultural lands, and the system is also difficult to implement on clay soils. Soils with a high clay content clog the holes in the bottles, which complicates water delivery.

Necessary materials and tools

Setting up drip irrigation for cucumbers in your garden requires a minimal set of tools and equipment. Watch the video to see how to position plastic bottles in different positions for measured water delivery.

To make a homemade micro-irrigation system using plastic beverage containers, you will need:

Clean plastic bottles with lids of various sizes. For cucumbers, 1.5, 2, and 5 liter containers are suitable;
lighter;
sewing needle;
pliers for securing a heated needle;
small spatula;
scissors or cutter;
rope and pegs if you plan to use hanging containers.

Important!

Remove labels and thoroughly rinse the collected containers to remove any remaining organic matter. Fat and other components can cause fermentation, rotting, or clog microscopic holes.

Before setting up drip irrigation, create a plan of where you plan to place the bottles for metered water supply.

Schemes of the future system

https://youtu.be/Pqk4ujayJpk

To create a smart drip irrigation system from plastic bottles, create a schematic planting plan. If you have several cucumber beds and greenhouses, the plan will help you calculate how many drip irrigation units you'll need.

To create a diagram, follow these guidelines:

inspect the garden;
Enter the data on the number of beds into a notebook;
draw a schematic of the plantings to scale;
show the location of the bushes and their number in each bed;
Calculate the number of containers needed for drip irrigation.

If there is a shortage of bottles or if cucumber crops are planted densely, use large containers with a lateral horizontal arrangement.

Ways to store plastic bottles

Experienced gardeners use various methods for installing plastic containers to create homemade drip irrigation systems. The methods depend on the planting density, soil characteristics, and the intended water supply.

Popular drip irrigation systems differ in the placement of the bottles:

container installed with the neck down;
a container installed with the neck up;
large bottles laid on their sides;
PET vessel suspended above a plant.

Drip irrigation is not a complete substitute for deep watering. Use it only as a supplementary measure and in cases where regular watering is not possible.

Upside down

The method of placing a polymer container with the lid upside down is suitable for loose soil in greenhouses and garden beds. To set up drip irrigation, follow the instructions:

heat the needle fixed in the pliers over the fire;
make microscopic holes at a distance of 3 cm from the bottom;
Consider the location of the holes depending on where you plan to supply moisture;
make one hole in the lid to ensure normal pressure inside the container;
Use a shovel to dig a hole 5-7 cm deep, matching the diameter of the container;
install the filled bottle;
Bury the container with soil to ensure a stable position.

When placing the bottle, keep at least 5 cm away from the cucumber bush to avoid damaging the roots of the crop.

Upside down

Drip irrigation can be set up for cucumbers using food-grade plastic containers, placed upside down. This method eliminates the bottle cap and inserts a tightly folded piece of material or foam into the neck.

To install the container with the neck down for watering cucumber bushes, do the following:

cut off the bottom of the container;
remove the lid;
fill the neck with material or foam rubber so that the element does not fall out under the pressure of water;
Using a heated needle, perforate the neck area, making many microscopic holes;
Dig a hole 7-10 cm deep to accommodate the prepared workpiece;
install a perforated bottle, bury it with soil for stability;
fill with water or nutrient solution.

To prevent water from evaporating and foreign particles from getting inside, the bottom of the bottle can be left in place, rather than cut off completely. This allows for quick refilling when needed and effectively moistens any type of soil.

Large bottles on their sides

Another way to create bottle micro-irrigation is to place a large bottle on its side. Containers with a minimum capacity of 5 liters are best for this method. This container effectively and continuously moistens cucumbers when daily watering is not possible.

To drip water using a PET container placed on its side, do the following:

heat the needle fixed in the pliers;
make microscopic holes on the side wall in a random or checkerboard pattern;
make a hole in the surface of the bottle that will be located on top to fill it with water;
dig a small hole of 3-5 cm under the container to be laid;
Place the workpiece in the hole and cover it with soil.

Important!

When preparing a homemade irrigation system, remember safety precautions. When making your own plastic bottle molds, wear protective gloves to avoid the risk of burns when working with fire, hot metal, and melting plastic. Work in a well-ventilated area.

Large perforated bottles for spot watering can also be used by simply placing them between the bushes. Holes are made near the wall where the container will rest. Under pressure, the liquid will irrigate nearby plantings in streams.

We hang it above the plant

When it's not possible to water cucumbers in a greenhouse every day, an overhead drip irrigation system has proven itself a popular choice among experienced gardeners. This method not only moistens the soil but also increases air humidity within the greenhouse, creating a favorable environment for plant growth.

For overhead drip irrigation, follow the instructions:

install supports along the edges of the beds;
Stretch a rope on top or lay a crossbar to which you will tie the containers;
cut off the bottoms of the bottles;
at a distance of 1-2 cm from the cut edge, make holes to thread the rope;
Make many microscopic holes near the neck with a hot needle;
hang the preparation over the cucumber bush.

Use overhead watering when the plant is already growing up the support to prevent dripping water from reaching the leaves. Water getting on the green parts can cause burns. Position the watering canopy close to the stem.

Right down to the root

Spot irrigation at the roots is an effective way to moisten the soil and supply nutrients for the development of branches. For root irrigation, you will need a plastic container and a plastic drinking straw.

To set up the method, follow the algorithm:

Plug one of the hollow ends of the tube with a match, toothpick, or adhesive. You can bend the element and secure it securely with tape;
Use a heated needle to make microscopic holes at a distance of 2-3 cm, taking into account that water will flow through the tube and get into the perforations;
cut a hole in the bottle to match the diameter of the tube;
connect the parts so that the closed end of the tube is on the outside and the hollow end is inside the bottle;
fix the workpiece, seal the outlet edge with sealant to prevent water from seeping through the loose fit of the parts;
Position the workpiece so that the tube extends into the root system and delivers water directly to the root.

Precise drip irrigation at the roots is useful when plants need to go without water for long periods. The water applied at the roots prevents evaporation and warms to an optimal temperature.

The nuances of creating an irrigation system in a greenhouse

Using plastic bottles, it's easy to set up drip irrigation in greenhouse structures of any configuration. Keep in mind that greenhouses have higher temperatures, and water from the soil will evaporate at a faster rate.

Use the recommendations for creating drip irrigation in greenhouse structures:

Experienced gardeners most often install suspended systems for watering cucumbers;
Make very small holes to use the water in the container efficiently;
wrap the container being installed with material to prevent soil from getting into the microscopic holes;
use 1 container per each bush to ensure complete soil moisture;
for each unit of cucumber crop per day, at least 3 liters of water is required, supplied through perforation;
Permanent guides can be installed on the greenhouse frame for hanging bottles and securing growing cucumbers.

If you plan to leave the greenhouse unattended for a long time, ensure that the structure is properly ventilated.

The nuances of creating an irrigation system in open ground

For garden beds where cucumbers are planted, it is more convenient to create a drip irrigation system using bottles buried in the ground on their sides, with the neck up or down.

Consider the following features when creating spot irrigation in open ground:

Securely fasten the bottles to the ground. Wind and precipitation may dislodge the container.
To prevent the holes in the container from getting dirty, place a nylon elastic band from old tights on the perforated segment;
during the growing season, a 5-liter container is enough for 1 cucumber bush;
During flowering, increase the amount of water supplied;
during dry periods, at least 25 liters per week are required for 1 bush;
Rinse containers regularly as sludge may build up in them.

It is best to set up a drip irrigation system at the time of transplanting seedlings or planting seeds in the soil.

How to set up and check the correct operation of the device

https://youtu.be/8AetkFxU3Po

When installing drip irrigation, immediately check the system's efficiency. When drilling holes, ensure that melted plastic does not clog the holes. Fill each hole with water and inspect the water supply.

The system is configured correctly if:

water comes out of the perforation holes in small narrow streams;
the liquid does not get on the cucumber leaves;
the soil is moistened within a radius of 15 cm from the stem;
the container does not block the light from the plant;
the bottle is installed stably, does not deform the green parts, does not interfere with growth;
Moistening occurs gradually; when the soil is saturated with moisture, water leakage stops, and after drying, it resumes.

For homemade irrigation, use clear plastic bottles from carbonated or mineral drinks. Butter or milk containers should be thoroughly washed with detergent to remove grease.