Capillarity Irrigation: [Concept, Utility, Advantages and Disadvantages]

Capillarity is a property that water has and that allows it to be distributed in small spaces.

In gardening or horticulture, this property is used to water different plants, trees and crops.

It has the advantage of being a mechanism that allows them to have the humidity they need at all times , in addition to saving a lot of water.

Installing it in the crops can be a job carried out by any lover of these tasks, but for that it is essential to be well informed.

For that reason we have prepared the following article that will surely be very useful to you.

Shall we start?

What is capillary irrigation?

Capillarity irrigation is a technique that allows to carry out an optimal distribution of water between crops.

This mechanism makes it easier for plants to take the liquid they need to be healthy directly from their roots.

It is known as capillarity because the water is capable of covering the air spaces that are established in the land at the time of cultivation.

In this way, the right amount of water is used, without excesses and without defects, making it easier to enjoy fresh vegetables in areas where water is scarce.

Why is capillary irrigation interesting in your crops?

If we take into account that each species has different requirements, this mechanism is useful to give each one the right thing without worry.

On the other hand, it is a very useful strategy to help save water, which will mean a significant decrease in the amount on the bill each month.

And since it is based on a container full of water that is placed underground, the percentage of evaporation will be minimal.

What plants benefit from it?

Capillarity irrigation is a system that can be used with any plant species.

The reason is that the roots of the plants have in their structure a series of hairs that are responsible for absorbing the water from the earth.

This is a mechanism that applies to both small and large tree species .

The only thing to pay attention to is the individual needs of each species because the duration of the water in the tank will depend on this.

How can we install a capillary irrigation system in the garden?

The installation of a capillary irrigation system can be done in different ways.

Here we will expose a somewhat advanced mechanism, but that can be structured in any garden without many problems.

The steps to follow to install a capillary irrigation system are the following:

1. Define the area of ​​the land that you will use to create the garden with the irrigation system.
2. Open a hole the width of the space to be planted and whose depth is at least 50 cm. These will be distributed between the water tank and the space for planting the plants.
3. Level the soil of the base very well to ensure that the water is distributed evenly over the entire surface. If the water is stagnant in any corner, the work process will not work as efficiently.
4. Make sure that there are no stones or other elements at the base of the pit that could damage the layers of waterproof fabric that will be placed next.
5. Water the base soil liberally to ensure it compacts. This process will help to better level the ground.
6. Lay out the waterproof fabrics that will prevent the water from being absorbed by the earth below. These can be two if you can: first a layer of hard plastic and then a waterproof canvas. Make sure to cover the walls as well. These should protrude from the pit.
7. Have an L-shaped pvc tube that will have two functions: to serve as a contact with the outside to fill the pit with water when necessary and to distribute the water equally inside the pit.
8. Drill a series of holes along the length of the tube that will run parallel to the base of the pit. In this case, the holes will have to be in the direction towards the bottom because, if they are facing up, the roots of the plants could cover them. The other part of the tube must be oriented towards the surface to pour the water there when necessary.
9. Fill the base of the pit with a layer of medium gravel, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
10. Cover the spaces with soil. This may be the same one that was extracted when the pit was dug.
11. Protect the structure of the pit from water with an anti-weed mesh to prevent organisms from forming inside.
12. Place a support on the entire exterior structure of the pit that will allow filling with gardening soil and sowing the chosen species.
13. Fill the pit with water and voila.

What are the advantages of capillary irrigation?

The main advantages of this system are listed below:

1. It maintains the plants with the humidity that each one needs to be in perfect condition.
2. It is not necessary to have daily time to water the crops.
3. There will be a definite saving in the amount of water to be used for crops.

What crops benefit from capillarity irrigation?

Many trees, plants , flowers, and crops in general can benefit from this system. 

Especially those that require constant humidity, such as tomatoes , peppers , avocados. ..

It is interesting if you have a tree planted in a pot, before transplanting it. In this way, you will have sufficient humidity constantly. 

What are the disadvantages?

1. The main disadvantage of capillary irrigation has to do with the design of the structure for its installation. Although generally it does not take a lot of investment of time and effort, some people may not feel ready to do it.
2. In addition, it is necessary to be very attentive to the duration of the water in the pit to carry out its respective replacement. If not, the plants will wilt from lack of moisture.

In summary, capillary irrigation is a simple and valuable working mechanism that has many more advantages for its application than negative points.