Dirk & Lopata
Lopata
Hey Dirk, I've been thinking about setting up a drip irrigation system that balances water usage and plant needs. What's your take on calculating optimal flow rates for a garden of this size?
Dirk
First work out how many liters you need per square metre each day – a typical garden wants about 5 mm, so for 100 m² that’s 500 litres. If you plan to run the system for two hours, you’ll need 250 litres per hour, which works out to about 4.2 litres per minute. Add a 10–15 % safety margin for head loss and evaporation, so round to 4.5 l/min. Pick a pump that can supply that rate at roughly 2 bar, use a pressure‑regulating valve, and install a simple flow meter to verify the actual output. Once you’ve set the timer, tweak the duration until the soil feels consistently moist but not water‑logged – you’ll never need a second round if you get the maths right the first time.
Lopata
Sounds solid, Dirk. Just keep an eye on the soil – if it’s still damp after the first run, cut the time a bit. And don’t forget to check the filter every few weeks, otherwise the tiny clumps can clog the emitters. Good job on the math, now let’s get those plants happy.
Dirk
Sounds good, just keep the timing tight and let the plants decide the rest. Happy watering.
Lopata
Right on, Dirk. Tight timing, steady flow, and a bit of patience. Those plants will tell you when they’re happy. Happy watering!