Hand-watering your plants or taking care of your outdoor plants, nursery, flower beds, and lawns can be hard work. Irrigation systems are a fantastic way to provide a consistent watering schedule and save time and energy. Maintaining your irrigation systems and ensuring they do not clog is essential to being a good gardener.
In this article, I cover all you need to know about irrigation systems, including what they are, how to set up a garden drip irrigation system, the benefits of using one, a breakdown of the different types, how to properly clean your drip irrigation system and filter, the best Atami products to use, and more.
What Is an Irrigation Drip System?
If you are unfamiliar with an indoor drip irrigation system, such as the Atami Wilma Systems or a garden drip irrigation system, you are missing out!
An irrigation system is a device connected to a pump or timer. Drip lines and nozzles or dripper stakes regulate the water that plants, flower beds, and lawns receive.
Garden irrigation systems allow gardeners to go on holiday and be away from their favourite plants without worrying about the plants or lawn being well-watered. It is like the ultimate watering schedule without fuss.
The Equipment Needed to Set Up a Drip Irrigation System
If you plan to install an in-ground irrigation system, drip hose irrigation system, or garden micro irrigation system, below is a list of the equipment you will need to get started.
● Hose/irrigation pipe
● Garden tap
● Tap adapter
● Hose connector
● Hole puncher
● Pump/tap timer
● Sprinkler nozzles
● Filter
● Valves
● Irrigation fittings
● Ata Clean
The Different Types of Spray Emitters for Garden Drip Irrigation Systems
Garden irrigation systems can be adapted to any size and layout depending on the garden size, allotment and the desired watering schedule. Below is a breakdown of the different emitters.
Dripper nozzles
A dripper emitter produces a small and slow flow of water directly to the soil and sits just above the root, close to the root zone. A simple dripper nozzle is a highly efficient way to water a garden and reduce water usage. The amount of water they produce can be adjusted based on the amount of pressure running through the irrigation pipes/hose, and it is optimal for potted plants.
In-ground irrigation system micro Spray
These irrigation systems spray water from the ground upwards and are designed to cover a large area. The piping is buried underground, leaving behind the nozzle above ground. As water flows through the pipes under the soil, an in-ground irrigation system works from high-pressure levels. They are more discreet and aesthetically pleasing than a network of pipes and spray nozzles. They are ideal for keeping a lawn well-saturated.
Mist dripper spray
A mist dripper spray works by spraying from the air downwards. Suspended in the air by a hose dripper line, it creates a fine mist over a part of the garden.
The nozzle emits a fine mist-like spray created by high-pressure volumes.
This irrigation system can be left on for extended periods and provides plants with the right amount of water without overwatering them. This irrigation system is well-suited for a greenhouse environment to help keep humidity levels optimal.
The Benefits of Using a Drip Irrigation System
● Reduced water usage
● Increased efficiency
● Consistent feeding schedule
● Improved plant health
● Improve soil quality
How Does a Garden Drip Irrigation System Become Clogged?
Nutrients that pass through the irrigation pipes contain iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and crystallise over time. This results in a build-up of salts, lime scale and a crystalline structure that builds on the inside of the pipes, affecting pressure levels and flow rate and eventually clogging irrigation systems.
What Is Ata Clean and How Does It Work?
Ata Clean is an incredible product made of phosphates that are not made available to plants, so it can bind to the nutrient metallic ions that cause irrigation pipes to form a crystalline structure. Because Ata Clean eliminates this process by re-solubilising nutrient salts, irrigation pipes can work efficiently, remain clean and do not need to be replaced or dug out of the ground in the case of inground irrigation systems, saving a grower time and money.
How Often Should You Clean Your Garden Drip Irrigation System?
ATA Clean can be a preventative measure from the earliest stages, when a garden drip irrigation system has been installed or when you use a hydroponic system indoors.
Otherwise, treating an irrigation system with a solution of Ata Clean every 2-4 weeks will give you peace of mind that there will be no imminent blockages or clogging. The irrigation lines, nozzles, and filter will be cleaned and thoroughly washed after every treatment.
The Benefits of a Clean Drip Irrigation System
● Garden drip irrigation systems can work with total efficiency.
● Drip lines do not need to be replaced after long-term use.
● The watering schedule remains consistent.
● Water flow is not compromised for plants, flower beds and lawns.
● There is no concern over water and nutrient waste.
● There will be no blockages or reduction in pressure to the drip nozzles.
● A garden drip irrigation system will function with full efficacy.
● Iron, Manganese, Calcium, Magnesium and lime scale cannot block drip lines.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using ATA Clean
Step 1: Shake well the bottle of Ata Clean.
Step 2: Add 0.1 ml per litre to your water source.
Step 3: Take out a pen or a pH test kit.
Step 4: Adjust the pH levels of the solution to 5.5 – 6.5.
Step 5: Switch on the irrigation system.
The Conclusion
When it comes to keeping your garden irrigation systems clean, unclogged, and well-maintained, Ata Clean is the ultimate solution. It is an easy-to-use and highly effective product that allows you to clean any drip irrigation system with no fuss.
The next time you set up your in-ground irrigation system, drip hose irrigation system, or garden micro irrigation system, or Wilma system use Ata Clean to totally eliminate any concern about needing to replace irrigation drip lines or filters and keep your pump or tap timer working with full efficiency!
