Some plants require more frequent watering, but not everyone has the time to do so. If you experience the above situation, there is no harm in considering a drip irrigation system. Buying ready-made kits can be quite expensive, but you can get an easy and inexpensive solution by making your own at home using plastic bottles. The best part is that you are helping to preserve the environment by recycling these bottles.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Slow Flow Irrigation System
Step 1. Prepare a plastic bottle
For best results, use a 2 liter bottle. You can use a smaller bottle for smaller plants. Clean the bottle and remove the label.
Step 2. Make 4-5 holes in the bottle cap
Remove the bottle cap and place it on a piece of wood. Make a few holes using a drill or nails and hammer. The more holes you make, the faster the water will flow. When you're done, put the bottle cap back on.
Don't make the hole too small because it can become clogged with soil
Step 3. Cut the bottom of the bottle
You can do this with a serrated knife or sharp scissors. Make a cut about 3 cm from the bottom of the bottle. If the soft drink bottle has a line at the bottom of the bottle, you can use it as a guide for making cuts.
Step 4. Dig a hole in the ground
The hole should be deep enough so that the bottle can be embedded in half. Try to make a hole about 10-15 cm from the stem of the plant. If you dig a hole near an established plant, be careful not to cut the roots.
Step 5. Insert the bottle in the hole with the cap facing down
Make sure you have the cap on, then turn the bottle upside down and insert it into the hole with the cap down. Then, level the soil around the bottle and gently pat it down.
You can push the bottle further into the soil, but it's best to leave about 3 cm of the bottle sticking out of the ground. This will prevent the soil from getting into the water
Step 6. Fill the bottle with water and turn the bottom of the bottle so that it is on the surface of the water and can hold the dirt
Otherwise, dirt will enter and can block the water from flowing. Let the drip irrigation system do its job. Make as many drip irrigation systems as needed for all your plants.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Fast Flow Irrigation System
Step 1. Prepare a plastic bottle
For maximum results, use a 2 liter capacity bottle. If you are only watering small plants, use a smaller bottle. Clean the bottle well with water and remove the label.
Step 2. Make a hole in the side of the bottle
Try to make a hole in the bottom of the bottle. You can make as many or as few holes as you want; The more holes you make, the faster the water will flow. If you're only going to be watering one plant, make a hole on one side of the bottle only.
- Make a hole using a nail or metal skewer.
- You may have to heat the nail over a fire before making the hole.
Step 3. Make a hole in the bottom of the bottle
This step is very important because it will prevent water from accumulating at the bottom of the bottle and pooling. If the bottom of the bottle is divided into segments (like most 2 liter soft drink bottles), you will need to drill holes in each segment.
The bottom of the bottle is usually made of thicker plastic. To drill holes, you will need to use a drill or hot nails
Step 4. Dig a hole in the ground near the plant
The hole should be deep enough to accommodate of the bottle, or until the straight side of the bottle begins to curl into a dome.
Step 5. Plug the bottle into the ground
If you made a hole on one side of the bottle, rotate the bottle so that the hole is facing the plant. Then, level the soil around the bottle and gently pat it down.
Step 6. Fill the bottle with water
First, remove the bottle cap and use a hose to fill the bottle with water. If you're having trouble, use a funnel to help. Keep the bottle open so the water can drain.
- If the water is flowing too fast, you can attach the bottle cap, but don't tighten it. The tighter the bottle cap, the slower the water flow.
- You can also cut off the top of the bottle (which curves like a dome) and flip it over so it acts as a funnel.
Method 3 of 3: Creating an Adjustable Irrigation System
Step 1. Make a hole in the side of the bottle
The hole must be large enough to allow the rubber gasket and aquarium hose to fit. You can drill holes with a drill or nails.
- Make sure the position of the hole is about 5 to 8 cm from the bottom of the bottle.
- If you're using nails, preheat them over a fire, then drill holes. Enlarge the hole using a craft knife.
Step 2. Make flexible aquarium hose pieces
You will need a 5-8 cm long piece of hose. This piece of hose will be used to attach the water flow control valve (aquarium fitting) to the bottle.
Step 3. Install a small rubber gasket around the hose
The gasket must be large enough to fit through the hole, but small enough to fit around the hose. If the gasket is too large for the hose, you can cut one of the sections to make it smaller. Then, attach it around the hose.
Step 4. Insert the gasket in the hole, then adjust the position of the hose
Push the gasket that has been attached with the hose into the hole. Then, push the hose through the hole until it is about 3 cm deep into the bottle. The rest of the hose will stick out of the bottle.
Step 5. Seal the area around the gasket and hose
Purchase a small package of sealant that is commonly used to repair leaky aquariums, or other leaks. Apply a thin layer of sealant around the joint between the gasket and the bottle. If necessary, use an ice cream stick or toothpick to spread out the sealant. Allow the sealant to harden.
You may need to apply sealant to the joint area between the gasket and the hose
Step 6. Insert a water flow control valve at the other end of the hose
You can buy such a valve at an aquarium supply store or online. It is shaped like a faucet, with an opening at each end and a knob at the top. One of the openings is usually pointed. You will need to insert a non-pointed opening into the hose.
Step 7. Cut off the top of the bottle if you want
This step isn't mandatory, but it can make it easier for you to fill the bottle. You can also cut it off but not completely so that there is a part that is still connected and serves as a "hinge". That way, you can partially close the opening.
Step 8. Add some holes at the top of the bottle to hang it
Use a hole punch to make 3-4 holes along the top edge of the bottle. Make holes that are opposite each other to form a triangle (for 3 holes) or a square (for 4 holes).
If you want to place the irrigation system on the table above the plants, insert gravel into the bottom of the bottle about 3 cm high. The gravel will help keep the bottle stable
Step 9. Thread the wire or rope through each hole
Cut 3-4 strands of thin wire or strong rope. Insert, then tie each piece of string to the hole. Then gather all the other ends of the rope and tie them together.
Skip this step if you choose to put your irrigation system on a table
Step 10. Install the irrigation system and fill the bottle with water
Hang the irrigation system on hooks above the plants. Close the knob on the control valve beforehand so that the water doesn't drip. Then, fill the bottle with water.
You can also place the irrigation system on a table or on the wall above the plants
Step 11. Open the knob on the valve to control the water flow if necessary
If water can't reach the plant because something is in the way, get another piece of aquarium hose. Attach one end to the pointed valve opening and place the other end on the ground, right near the plant.
- The looser you adjust the knob, the faster the water will flow.
- The tighter you adjust the knob, the slower the water will flow.
Tips
- If you're watering fruit, herb, or vegetable plants, consider using a BPA-free plastic bottle as it won't spread chemicals like regular bottles.
- Insert the bottle into the nylon stockings before screwing it into the ground. The stockings will prevent soil from clogging the hole and, at the same time, allow water to drain.
- Refill the bottle as needed. This depends on how much water the plant needs, and how hot the weather is.
- Some plants, such as tomatoes, will require more than a 2 liter bottle of water. You may need to build multiple drip irrigation systems.
- Consider adding a little fertilizer to the bottle every few weeks.
- If you cut the bottom of the bottle, you can save it for sowing seeds. Make several drainage holes in the bottom of the bottle, fill with soil, then spread the seeds.
