Tutorial For Hanging Basket Watering - Greenhouse Irrigation

HANGING BASKET WATERING FOR GREENHOUSE IRRIGATION

There are several ways to water hanging baskets for Greenhouse or Garden Centre Irrigation applications.  One of the most innovative and simple approaches is using Netafims EZ-Close Assemblies for Hanging Basket Irrigation.  The use of these assemblies will save time and money while providing a great way to eliminate wasted water when baskets are removed from the growing/shopping area.  

WHY CHOOSE EZ-CLOSE ASSEMBLIES FOR YOUR GREENHOUSE HANGING BASKET IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. The EZ-CLose System allows you to quickly shut off water to a single plant when it's removed from the growing area.  The dripper assembly can be shut off easily with one hand while the other hand is used to remove the basket.  

2. The use of pressure compensated drippers within the assembly ensures even water distribution from the start of the line until the end.  This eliminates over-watering at the beginning of any dripper line within the Irrigation System.

3. EZ-Close Hanging Baskets Assemblies are offered in a variety of lengths allowing for staggered growing in your Greenhouse (as shown below).  This enables great productivity while not affecting the efficiency of your Greenhouse Irrigation System.

DESIGNING A WATERING SYSTEM FOR HANGING BASKETS IN YOUR GREENHOUSE

The design of an Irrigation Sytem for Hanging Baskets can be simplied by following three steps.  Keep in mind when designing your Greenhouse Watering system that you will likely need 15-35 PSI in operating watering pressure to ensure pressure compensated drippers perform effectively.  The following list outlines the basic steps in designing your watering system.

1. Determine the size of the Drip Supply Line

2. Determine the number of baskets that can be watered at one time.

3. Determine the optimal size for your Distribution Supply Line.

4. Select your Water Source Connections.

Step 1. Select Size for Dripper Lines (tubing that runs perpendicular to the Distribution Line).  This assumes the use of a .5gph emitter (standard with Pre-Assembled Dripper Stakes)

This calculation assumes the use of a 1/2 GPH Dripper. 

-1/2" tubing has a maximum flow rate of 300 GPH.  If you are using a 2 gph emitter spaced at 6" the maximum run length would be as follows:

300 GPH / 2 GPH = 150 Emitter Maximum per run.  If the spacing is every 6" the maximum run length would be 75 ft ( 150 Emitters / 2 Emitters per ft)

-3/4" tubing has a maximum flow rate of approx. 500 GPH.  If you are using a 2 gph emitter spaced at 6" the maximum run length would be as follows:

500 GPH / 2 GPH = 250 Emitter Maximum per run.  If the spacing is every 6" the maximum run length would be 125 ft ( 250 Emitters / 2 Emitters per ft)

Step 2. After calculating the number of plants to be watered, you can now calculate the flow rate required for the system.  Keep in mind at this point that you can also use different zones for your system to bring down the required flow rate.  The chart below shows the required flow per number of plants for any given zone.

Flow Rate Per Zone (Gallons Per Minute). Assumes the use of .5 GPH Emitters

This is actually a simple calculation that you can do for any number of plants.  

-If you have 200 plants to water, using a .5 GPH Emitter you would need a minimum of 100 GPH (200 x .5 GPH).  You therefore need 1.67 GPM (100 GPH / 60 Minutes) or 2 GPM rounded up.

It is always advisable to round up your water requirements to ensure adequate flow rate.

Step 3. After calculating your flow rate needs for each zone or your entire system, you can now size your distribution and drip lines.  

Below is chart indicating approx. flow rates for distribution tubing.  Remember you are restricted to the flow rate of your main supply line.  

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