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Essex, UK

Looking to at least partly automate my watering this year. Wondering whether it's best to be able to water each plant separately (for control) or treat the entire patch as one system (for consistency)? What's the general consensus amongst other growers? P.s. I have a good enough system/water pressure to water four plants all at once.

2/1/2017 5:50:47 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I'd love more info on this subject as well.

2/1/2017 6:29:29 PM

Nampa

Being able to water each separately gives you the option to fertigate individually. If the one area is more shady or sunny, it would be good to water differently. Also, if you have to pull a plant, it would be nice to not water it, especially if you fertigate. Depending on your set up and valves, you could have it set up as 1 zone with manual shutoff valves to turn off areas as you please. Good Luck!

2/1/2017 7:13:29 PM

New Berlin, PA

I had a simple system that consisted of a timer, an EZ-Flo injector, a Y with valves, and two mainlines. I loved the ease of turning on the water, setting the timer, and walking away knowing both plants were getting treated equally. I also knew if I lost a plant I could easily close one of the valves on the Y and just water the remaining plant. I also used connectors with valves when connecting with punch connectors to the mainline. Allowed even more flexibility in getting water where I wanted and not where I didn't.

2/2/2017 9:00:25 AM

Essex, UK

So setting up to water the whole patch as one but builing in the ability to shut off the water for each plant as a 'just in case' option. How would you build fertigation into this system? I'm thinking of: water source----flow meter----dosatron----timer----shut off/taps to each plant----leaky hose.

Any reason why this wouldn't work?

2/2/2017 12:07:55 PM

Nampa

I'd probably put the timer before the dosatron so that its not always under pressure. Its also good to have a shutoff at the start of the system so that you can repair as needed. Looks like you have it fiqured out, good luck!

2/6/2017 10:45:06 PM