Greenhouse irrigation systems. Which one to choose?

Choosing the right irrigation system is vital to the growth of your plants. Since you cannot rely on rain in a greenhouse, this task will fall to you - to ensure that your plants receive the right amount of water. There are many types of irrigation systems on the market, so choosing the right one can be difficult. You should choose the type that best suits your needs. This includes the size of your greenhouse, the type and quantity of plants, and how much time you can normally devote to gardening.

Let's start from the beginning. The best way to choose the right greenhouse irrigation system is to familiarize yourself with each option. It would be worthwhile to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. This way you can see which one will suit you and your plants irrigation needs.

Self-wetting trays and capillary mats

This is probably the most simple method of irrigation, which still requires a little manual work. It is an excellent choice for smaller greenhouses and beginner growers. It can also be a great irrigation method for plants that don't like overhead irrigation (like orchids).

Self-wetting tray.

Self-irrigation trays ensure a constant supply of water from below. They have a water compartment that irrigates the soil and plants planted above. Some of them have a capillary mat that absorbs water and gradually releases it slowly to the plants.

This irrigation system encourages deeper roots because the water source is at the bottom. Capillary mats and self-irrigation trays create a moist atmosphere that promotes plant growth and conserves water.

As long as there is water in the tank, all plants will stay hydrated. Reservoirs are normally refilled weekly. This makes it one of the lowest maintenance irrigation methods.

Advantages	Cons
• Saves time and energy • Inexpensive and saves working time • Easy installation • Ensures constant water supply • Promotes better root and plant growth • Reduces the risk of plant diseases caused by overhead or overirrigation	• Not all growing media are good choices for this irrigation system • Capillary mats can grow algae which can attract mosquitoes • Plants may still need overhead irrigation to wash off fertilizer • Not automatic, which works independently (reservoir must be refilled manually)

Sprinklers

This irrigation system is mostly used for crops that tolerate wet foliage. Overhead sprinklers use tubes placed above the plants with nozzles that can be adjusted for different spray ranges. Sprinklers can also be installed in the ground (eg lawn sprinklers), but in greenhouses they are more often installed on the ceiling.

Sprinklers moving through the greenhouse.

A sprinkler system saves time, but requires frequent checks to make sure it's working properly. Overhead sprinkler systems are best for irrigation small transplants until they are ready to be planted in the garden or greenhouse.

Advantages	Cons
• Inexpensive and easy to install • Heavy and regular irrigation can be easily achieved • Easy to automate or manage manually • Effective in medium to coarse textured soils	• Creates an environment where plant diseases thrive due to leaf wetness and overhead irrigation • Poor quality water can clog the spray nozzles • May have high operating costs • Uses more water: Water can evaporate due to heat or sunlight, which increases water consumption • Water distribution (everyone is watered equally, there is no adaptation to specific areas of the greenhouse)

 

Fog system

This system is perfect for large greenhouses and propagating seedlings. It is the best choice for a greenhouse with many plants that need regular irrigation.

Mist irrigation system.

Fog (mist) systems emit only a small amount of water droplets (fog). Sprinklers, on the other hand, use much more water when running and are only used for short periods of time. Some systems can be set to run the sprinklers longer or automatically spray every 15 or 30 minutes (depending on your needs).

Having a misting system can reduce the temperature in the greenhouse, which can be very useful in the summer. Misting sprays are also a great choice for tropical plants because they increase the humidity that these plants love.

Advantages	Cons
• Can be automated • Helps keep the greenhouse cool • Small to medium initial investments • Perfect for greenhouses that require regular irrigation • Perfect for tropical greenhouses	• Less efficient and possible water wastage if the system is not managed properly • Water distribution (all plants are watered equally, there is no adaptation to specific areas of the greenhouse) • Some plants may not like the humidity created by the system • Possible plant diseases caused by overhead irrigation and constant wet environment

Drip irrigation systems

Why not use a drip system because it can be adapted to any size greenhouse or garden. Basically, it is a hose with several heads (emitters) that release water when the system is activated manually or automatically.

Drip irrigation system.

A drip irrigation system can be installed on top of the soil or buried in the soil. For efficiency, the emitters must be close to the plants. A drip irrigation system is very useful in greenhouses of any size, as it can be easily adapted to the size of the greenhouse.

When activated, this system releases slow droplets of water over time to keep the soil around the plants from drying out. A drip irrigation system reduces water wastage. This system usually requires water pressure and is often combined with a pump. However, drip irrigation systems that work by gravity can also be found on the market. This system can be fully automated.

Advantages	Cons
• Can be automated and programmed according to the respective needs • Reduces water consumption (does not evaporate, water goes directly to the ground and roots) • Better water distribution, as you can precisely adjust it according to plants and zones • Emitters can be adjusted • It is possible to collect rainwater and use it later for irrigation plants	• The pump requires electricity • System cleaning and maintenance can be difficult • Collecting rainwater, cleaning and reusing it requires additional investment (filter, etc.) • Installation may cost more • Nozzles may become clogged

Dewy bowels

This method of irrigation is somewhat similar to drip irrigation. Misting hoses can also water plants from below when they are planted in the soil. These hoses do not have emitters. The material from which the hose is made is porous, which allows the hose to continuously release a small amount of water into the soil.

Misting hose.

This is a fairly effective irrigation solution if you want to avoid planning the irrigation system according to the layout of your plants in the greenhouse. However, misting hoses do not allow you to adjust the amount of water according to plants or zones. So this irrigation system is perfect for raised beds, but not for individual pots or a whole greenhouse with different types of plants.

Advantages	Cons
• Easy installation • Low maintenance • Inexpensive • It doesn't take much planning • Reduced water evaporation • Can be automated with a timer on tap • Almost never clogs	• No adjustments of water distribution according to plant or zone respectively • Limited use • Must be installed relatively level, otherwise the water will not flow evenly • Maintenance and repair can be difficult

Automatic irrigation systems

Automated vs Manual Irrigation Systems: 4 Reasons to Go Automatic and 3 Reasons NOT to Go Automatic and How the GRAAS iRigator Solves Common Automatic Irrigation Problems.

Automatic irrigation system GRAAS iRigator.

Many growers are looking for an irrigation system that saves time, resources and is maintenance free. If this sounds like you, read on for more reasons to switch to an automatic irrigation system.

Automatic irrigation systems work on a timer and provide your plants with the right amount of water every time. This is very useful for large projects where manual irrigation is too time consuming. For people with a lot of work on weekdays, it is also useful and beneficial to install an automatic irrigation system. This ensures constant irrigation.

Advantages of automated irrigation systems

1. Saves time

This is one of the main reasons why people choose automatic irrigation. Properly configured, the system will do its job and you can spend the saved time on other things.

By installing an automatic irrigation system, you will no longer need to water manually and you won't even need to be there when your plants are being watered. For example,GRAAS iRigator irrigation systemcan be controlled from anywhere in the world, it is important that the phone has internet access.

2. You can focus on plant care and harvesting

Of course, irrigation is part of plant care, but you can use that time to check, weed, fertilize, prune, pollinate, or harvest your plants. Garden and greenhouse maintenance takes a lot of time and effort, so freeing up some time by automating irrigation will be a great idea!

3. Improves efficiency

Automatic systems ensure precise irrigation, eliminating the worry of too much or not enough water for the plant. Timers can be set by time, but most are manually adjusted and do not have access to the Internet.in the GRAAS appyou can control irrigation, set different irrigation profiles for different plants and much more from your phone.

4. Economical

The automated system ensures efficient water distribution so that your plants are watered at the ideal time and with the ideal amount of water. This helps to avoid wastage and also reduces the water bill. It is worth noting that it depends a lot on the chosen irrigation system, as described above.

Disadvantages of automatic irrigation systems

1. It can be expensive

The main disadvantage associated with an automated system is the cost. Depending on the size of your greenhouse and the features you want, these systems can be quite expensive. Some simple timers cost around 30-60€, but there are always better and more expensive options with more functions (phone controlled, soil moisture monitoring, temperature monitoring, etc.).GRAAS iRigatorthe set includes all the necessary irrigation hoses, humidity sensors and much more. Compared to other systems, it is one of the cheapest irrigation systems in terms of features, equipment and sophistication.

2. Most systems are difficult to install

The process of installing an automated irrigation system can take some time (depending on the system). Some of them are very simple (mounted on a hose), while others require professionals to dig a place for the piping, and then connect everything and install it in the greenhouse.

This procedure can take days or weeks with most systems. However, after the installation you will no longer have to worry about irrigation and you can enjoy your free time or devote it to other garden tasks.

For example,GRAAS iRigator installationis very simple and straightforward. The system can be fully installed in a few hours. If the water is already brought to the greenhouse, all you need to do is run the hoses, hang the controller, connect the hoses to the controller, stick in the soil moisture and temperature sensors and set the irrigation profiles for the respective zones.

3. Failures can lead to water wastage and pests to thrive

If you time your irrigation incorrectly, you can waste a lot of water. Overirrigation can also create the perfect breeding ground for diseases and pests. Of course, this can be avoided by properly setting it up and checking the greenhouse after each scheduled irrigation for the first few weeks.

GRAAS iRigatorallows you to monitor soil moisture and temperature, all of which is displayed in detailed graphsin the GRAAS app. This makes it possible to perfectly understand the irrigation of plants and to determine when there is too much or too little water. The GRAAS irrigation system can be very well optimized according to each garden.

So which greenhouse irrigation system is best?

You can probably answer this question yourself. If not, let's briefly review the main facts. Drip irrigation systems and misting hoses are generally preferred due to their simplicity and low installation costs.

Sprinklers will use more water and may (but not always) cause plant disease or attract pests. If you have tropical plants that like a humid climate, or if you need to cool your greenhouse on hot summer days, you can use a mist system as it will better suit your plants' needs.

Automatic irrigation systems, such asGRAAS iRigatorcan take the entire irrigation burden off your shoulders. The smart irrigation system allows you to monitor soil moisture, temperature, air humidity and temperature on your phone. This will allow you to make informed decisions about irrigation, monitor the condition of the plants and compare with external factors such as humidity or temperature. Most importantly, this system is fully controlled by phone from anywhere in the world, so convenience and accuracy are guaranteed.

The most important thing is to choose the right irrigation system for the greenhouse that will meet your needs. You need to be realistic about the size of your greenhouse, the plants you can grow and how much you can afford to invest in an irrigation system.