Water restrictions are on everyone’s minds. If you live in South Africa, you’ve been affected by the severe drought which has resulted in the most stringent water restrictions in almost a century. That is to say, hefty fines are being issued left and right to help promote responsible usage and keep the dams as full as possible. This being said, gardening should be the last thing on your mind if you do live in one of the heavily affected areas, but if you can spare a little or recycled water, consider hydroponic or drip irrigation systems. Today we look at creating your own drip irrigation system using recycled bottles. Stay water-wise and make your very own watering system to use at home.

What is water drip irrigation?

Drip irrigation refers to a slow release of droplets to help save water and fertilizer. It works by slowly releasing small amounts of water either directly onto the roots or on the soil surface. If you have a small garden or container garden, we would suggest planting the bottle in the ground next to the plant or use a hanging system like this one. For one thing, a hanging system will help to irrigate the container right underneath the first one. This ensures that as little fluid as possible is used to keep your plants in top shape.

How to build a drip irrigation system

Let’s have a look at what you will need to make a planted drip irrigation system. You’ll need:

• 2l empty cooldrink bottle with the cap
• Sharp knife
• Scissors
• Nail and hammer

Get the full tutorial here.

Tip: Remember to recycle greywater (water from baths, showers, washing machines and washing up) and use it on your garden. On the other hand, avoid greywater containing bleach, disinfectant, dishwasher salt or stronger cleaners as these can damage soil structure, harm the plant and could be a health risk, especially when planting produce and herbs.

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