Greenhouse Or Poly Tunnel Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is probably the simplest, most precise and easiest very little water as the water is applied straight on to the compost. In many cases we would recommend using drip irrigation with a misting system that can be used during warmer weather of if the plants require a higher humidity. Humidity in a greenhouse or poly tunnel is very important as it helps to balance the temperature in the house. It can be as simple as wetting the path or gravel plant basis to a dedicated misting sytem.
The choice of drippers is vast and can be balanced up depending on the type of plants that you are growing in the greenhouse. This can range from adjustable drippers with integrated pegs to pressure compensated drippers that make sure tat each plant will receive the same amount of water no matter what position it is in the greenhouse or Polytunell.
The Supply Pipe
To run the drippers you will need a supply pipe that will distribute the water round the greenhouse or polytunnel so that the drippers receive enough water.
The diameter of this can vary dramatically depending on the size of the polytunnel or greenhouse, the number of drippers that will be running at one time and of course the amount of water being fed in to the system either from a pump and a tank or for smaller systems from the mains water supply. If you have a large greenhouse or polytunnel and need more advice then please do call us on 01189736905 or email [email protected]. If you would prefer us to design the system for you or for nurseries, garden centres and fruit growers then please do take advantage of our free planning service
The type of pipe
You should use LDPE ( Low density polyethylene pipe) with barbed drippers. You can use any size from 16mm, 20mm,25mm and 32mm LDPE pipe. Low density polyethylene pipe will allow you to punch a hole in the pipe and then insert either the dripper directly or if you would rather you can insert an adaptor that will take a 6 mm PVC flexible pipe so that you can run the small pipe to the pot, basket, grow bag and then insert the dripper on to the end. With the endline drippers and the Woodpeckers these should be inserted in to the supply pipe and then a 6mm pipe pushed on to the end which you can then put a pot pecker on to so that the pipe outlet stays in the correct place and water can drip through the stake
To view or purchase LDPE pipe please click here
What diameter of pipe should I use
Drip irrigation uses a small amount of water over a longer period of time so for small greenhouses and poly tunnell you should be able to use the standard 16mm outside diameter polyethylene pipe. For bigger greenhouses or if the water supply is travelling a long distance from the water source to the greenhouse then it would probably be better to use a 20 mm outside diameter LDPE pipe
What fittings should I use
LDPE pipe can be used with all fittings. So LDPE pipe can be used with Barbed Fittings, Nutlock Fittings and compression fittings. In most cases barbed fittings are more than adequate and when fitted correctly they will withstand pressure of up to 6 bar. If you feel the pressure may exceed 4 bar then you should fit a pressure regulator at the begriming of the system and this will regulate the flow to maintain a set pressure.
Nutlock fittings are sort of in-between Compression fittings and barbed fittings. They are smaller and more lightweight than the compression fittings and offer a good secure fit. These could be used under water timers or when routing the pipe to the greenhouse
Compression fittings are the most secure however they are quite bulky and ugly but if the pipe is travelling below ground then we would suggest that these are probably the best and safest fitting to use
LINK TO BARBED FITTINGS PLEASE CLICK HERE
LINK TO NUTLOCK PLEASE CLICK HERE
LINK TO COMPRESSION PLEASE CLICK HERE