DIY: Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters.  It is done through narrow tubes that delivery water directly to the base of the plant.  

Bottle drip irrigation

It is a cost effective method of watering your plants thorough a recycle plastic bottle.

• Get a 2 litre plastic bottle with the cat still on.  
• Take the cap and poke 2 holes using a small nail and a hammer.
• Take the actual body of the soda bottle.  Cut the bottom portion, around 3 cm. from the bottom, with a sharp knife.  This will turn the bottle into a funnel and it will also allow for the drip irrigation to be refilled with water easily.
• Dig a hole near your plant or group of plants, which is deep enough to bury around one third to one half of the bottle.
• Place the bottle in the hole, cap side down.  Make sure that the opening of the bottle remains above the ground and is not covered by soil.
• Place a few stones around the bottle to help prevent the soil from getting inside the bottle.

Fill the bottle with water, and leave your drip irrigation to do its work.  Make as many as you need for all of your plants.