How to choose a greenhouse watering system?
Choosing the right greenhouse watering system is very important for plant growth. You can't rely on rain in a greenhouse. Therefore, you want to ensure that the plants are getting the right amount of water. There are several greenhouse watering systems to choose from, which can be overwhelming. You must choose the type that best suits your needs. This includes the size of your greenhouse, the type of plants and how much time you can devote to gardening.
Let's start from the beginning. The best way to choose the right greenhouse irrigation system is to learn about every option available.
What are greenhouse irrigation systems?
When considering which greenhouse watering method to use, you should learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. This will help you figure out which one will suit you and your plants' watering needs.
Capillary irrigation system
This is perhaps the most simple method of watering, which nevertheless requires a little manual work. It is an excellent choice for smaller greenhouses and beginner growers. It can also be a great watering method for plants that don't like water coming from above (like orchids).
The self-watering system ensures a constant supply of water from below. They have a water compartment that releases as much moisture as is available to the soil and the plants planted above. Some of them have a capillary mat that absorbs water and slowly releases it. Potted plants can be placed on top of this wet mat.
Top sprinklers
This watering system is usually used for plants that tolerate wet foliage. Overhead sprinklers use pipes that run above the plants with nozzles that can be adjusted to different spray ranges. Sprinklers can also be installed on the ground (remember lawn sprinklers), but in greenhouses they are more often installed near the ceiling.
A watering system saves time, but should be checked frequently to ensure it is working properly. Overhead irrigation systems are best for watering small transplants until they are ready for the garden or flower bed.
Mist (spray) system
This system is perfect for large greenhouses and seedling propagation. This is the best option for a greenhouse with many seeds that need regular watering.
Misting systems emit only a small amount of water droplets (fog). On the other hand, sprinklers use much more water to operate and are only used for a short time, the system can run longer or automatically spray every 15 or 30 minutes (depending on your needs).
Greenhouse irrigation system pipes with two nozzles spraying water as mist into the air and blue sky in the background Having a misting system can reduce the temperature in the greenhouse, which can be quite useful in summer or in warmer climates.
drip irrigation systems
Drip irrigation systems are a better option because they can be adapted to any size irrigation system and are suitable for all purposes. Basically, it is a hose with several heads (nozzles) that release water at set intervals throughout the day. The drip irrigation system can be installed on the surface of the ground or buried in the soil. For effective watering, the heads should be close to the plants.
This greenhouse watering system drips water slowly over a period of time to prevent the plants from drying out. It also reduces water wastage. This watering system requires water pressure, so it is often combined with a solar-powered pump from a water tank and can be fully automated.
A drip system is very useful for greenhouses of any size, as it can be perfectly scaled up or down.