The use of plastic bottles for watering in the garden
Watering the garden is a sore point for summer residents, especially for those who visit the dacha only on weekends. And for those who live in the country, but have problems with a constant water supply, watering remains an urgent problem during the summer drought. Collecting rainwater is not a good option when rainfall is irregular and not heavy. The purchase of a drip irrigation system requires considerable expenses from gardeners. And here, at first glance, unnecessary things will come to the rescue - plastic bottles.
Related article: DIY crafts from plastic bottles for summer cottages.
Among the many ways to use plastic water bottles, there are three of the simplest and easiest to assemble and operate:
- Watering from bottles without burying them in the ground.
- Drip irrigation from bottles buried in the soil.
- Suspended watering system from plastic bottles.
Benefits of using plastic bottles
The use of plastic bottles in the garden for watering will significantly save on the purchase of expensive equipment, moreover, with the help of such a system, it is possible to water the entire site, and not just individual beds. The advantages of the "bottle" system are also that:
- the soil is moistened a meter deep;
- plants receive already heated water;
- bottles can be used both in open areas and in greenhouses;
- there is no change in the composition of the soil;
- it is possible to add liquid dressings;
- constant access of water does not allow plants to "starve";
- allows you to water not only garden plants, but also garden plants, shrubs and trees.
A weighty argument in favor of the use of plastic bottles in the country is the fact that in the absence of the owner, thieves are unlikely to use such an irrigation system.
Watering from bottles without burying them in the ground
Fill a 2 liter plastic bottle with water, leaving a little empty space to the top of the bottle. Instead of a lid, put a piece of foam rubber of a suitable size on the neck. Put the bottle under the plant at the very root.
Spread such containers with water throughout the area under each planted crop. When the bottles are completely empty, they must be refilled with water.
Drip irrigation from buried bottles
Cut the bottom of the bottle, but not completely - to get something like a lid (it will save water from getting earth and from evaporation in the sun). If desired, the bottom can be cut off completely. Tighten the cap tightly, and make small holes around the neck at the top of the bottle for water to exit. Such holes can be made directly in the plug itself.
When watering sandy soil, 2 holes are enough, and for CLAYY you need 4 holes.
Bury the bottle between the seedlings 15 cm deep, with the incised bottom on top and the neck on the bottom. To avoid blocking the holes, it is recommended to put dry grass under them. Pour water, cover with a bottom lid. Top up as needed.
Suspended watering system from plastic bottles
Cut off the bottom of the bottle, and make watering holes in the cork. Some gardeners leave the cork intact, and simply unscrew it slightly so that the water flows out a little.
Make a support-holder: install a slingshot holder at both ends of the bed, and put a crossbar on top. Hang the bottles upside down on a support and pour water into them. Cover the soil under the bottle, onto which water will drip, with a small piece of film and sprinkle it with earth. This is necessary so that the drops fall on the film, and already flow from it onto the ground, and not erode it.