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''' | ''' | ||
= Gravity fed drip irrigation, with the intent of complete, hands free automation.= | |||
Welcome, you've arrived at the Global Goals clubs challenge WIKI. | Welcome, you've arrived at the Global Goals clubs challenge WIKI. We ask you to see this as a possible starting point to a new beginning. We hope to prove to the world, that if we use the SDGs as a guideline, a starting point in the search for simple answering to impossible poverty and hunger. If each of you reading this works toward even one small answer, the millions of small steps when combined into big steps, could be enough to change the world. We view Appropedia as a playground for people who love to try new things. We beg you to look around, find something you like and make it better. We know there are better ways to do almost anything, maybe you'll find some of them. | ||
What follows is an example of a simple yet effective way to create an abundance of fresh vegetables in a small space with minimal resources. See it as a sort of "Vorarbeit" for the challenge. | What follows is an example of a simple yet effective way to create an abundance of fresh vegetables in a small space with minimal resources. See it as a sort of "Vorarbeit" for the challenge. We ask you to create a wiki about your project and keep the world informed of your status. | ||
My | My wiki is free to the world to copy. I used off the shelf products at a normal price, but which could easily be replaced with home made versions, preferably from recycled plastic. This is your challenge, to prove that the world can still be saved, if only we try. Find a way to mix cheap modern technology into the SDGs to answer as many of them as you can. | ||
''' The intelligent, low budget mix of garden with technology! | The project below attempts to answer problems within a multitude of SDGs simultaneously. Please feel free to use your imagination to improve upon it or any of the questions at the end. | ||
== My personal challenge to you is to improve what I've begun and make it the answer I believe it to be. == | |||
===''' The intelligent, low budget mix of garden with technology! '''=== | |||
Goal: To prove that by mixing fresh vegetables with science, recycled plastic, computers and computer networking, the poor starving people of the world can be fed at a minor cost, weighed against the benefit to mankind. The garden and ideas demonstrated here are in the public domain, free for anyone, anywhere to use. In exchange I only ask that you find a way to help in reaching the Global Goals and especially Zero Hunger by 2030!''' | Goal: To prove that by mixing fresh vegetables with science, recycled plastic, computers and computer networking, the poor starving people of the world can be fed at a minor cost, weighed against the benefit to mankind. The garden and ideas demonstrated here are in the public domain, free for anyone, anywhere to use. In exchange I only ask that you find a way to help in reaching the Global Goals and especially Zero Hunger by 2030!''' | ||
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[http://www.globalgoals.org/ This goes to the global goals!] | [http://www.globalgoals.org/ This goes to the global goals!] | ||
'''Intro''' | ==='''Intro'''=== | ||
Welcome to my garden! What began as an experiment, has turned into a working garden which can run alone for several weeks at a time using rain water. The garden presented is small scale, approx. 30 plants, but can easily be expanded simply by adding more branches from the above ground tank and filling it more often. It's main purpose was to eliminate the carrying of water, eliminate guess work and wasted water, while ensuring that the harvest is never at risk due to lack of water. The main benefit was that the automation worked so well that a 2 week vacation could be taken in the middle of the season. Only 3 things limit its effectiveness; drought, pump outage and overly dirty water. | Welcome to my garden! What began as an experiment, has turned into a working garden which can run alone for several weeks at a time using rain water. The garden presented is small scale, approx. 30 plants, but can easily be expanded simply by adding more branches from the above ground tank and filling it more often. It's main purpose was to eliminate the carrying of water, eliminate guess work and wasted water, while ensuring that the harvest is never at risk due to lack of water. The main benefit was that the automation worked so well that a 2 week vacation could be taken in the middle of the season. Only 3 things limit its effectiveness; drought, pump outage and overly dirty water. | ||
'''Our greenhouse ''' | ==='''Our greenhouse ''' === | ||
20 Square meters, 4 x 5 | 20 Square meters, 4 x 5 | ||
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I've attended this garden of approximately 30 plants for 3 seasons. The 1st ran without filter and the daily battle with dirt clogging the drippers convinced me that a filter was needed. I created one out of sand and gravel, which made an incredible difference. This year I intend to improve the filter somewhat, otherwise won't make any changes from last year, other than exchanging dirt and changing plant location. | I've attended this garden of approximately 30 plants for 3 seasons. The 1st ran without filter and the daily battle with dirt clogging the drippers convinced me that a filter was needed. I created one out of sand and gravel, which made an incredible difference. This year I intend to improve the filter somewhat, otherwise won't make any changes from last year, other than exchanging dirt and changing plant location. | ||
Update: The 2018 season is now behind me and my system does what's expected of it. The problem remains that after approx. 4 weeks the drip becomes unreliable due to buildup. The goal of self-cleaning or self regulating is still a dream waiting to be solved. | |||
====[[File:DripGarden2.svg|thumb|center| Simple representation of 2017 system]]==== | |||
'''Parts List:''' | ==='''Parts List:'''=== | ||
Originally I didn't want to include one, because it was too expensive and depends on what's available locally. Since we have no more water pressure than gravity gives us, it only needs to be water tight. Here's a list of the parts that I used, but hope to find (create) 3D printed and/or alternatives to reduce cost. | Originally I didn't want to include one, because it was too expensive and depends on what's available locally. Since we have no more water pressure than gravity gives us, it only needs to be water tight. Here's a list of the parts that I used, but hope to find (create) 3D printed and/or alternatives to reduce cost. | ||
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'''Description of set up''' | ==='''Description of set up'''=== | ||
Rain water is collected underground. A pump attached to a timer runs at a specified time each day to fill an above ground tank. The fill level is measured using a standard toilet floater to shut off the pump when the tank is full. | Rain water is collected underground. A pump attached to a timer runs at a specified time each day to fill an above ground tank. The fill level is measured using a standard toilet floater to shut off the pump when the tank is full. | ||
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The water in the tank is fed from the bottom, through a sand + gravel filter to remove fine contamination. The filtered water runs through 1/2" tubing and a branch of 1/4" tubing with an adjustable dripper at the end runs to each plant. | The water in the tank is fed from the bottom, through a sand + gravel filter to remove fine contamination. The filtered water runs through 1/2" tubing and a branch of 1/4" tubing with an adjustable dripper at the end runs to each plant. | ||
<gallery > | ===<gallery > | ||
|width=180 | |width=180 | ||
|height= | |height=99 | ||
|padding=5 | |padding=5 | ||
|lines=4 | |lines=4 | ||
|align=center | |align=center | ||
Image:HPIM2729.JPG| | Image:HPIM2729.JPG| Initial coarse filter | ||
Image:tank_and_filter.jpg| Above ground tank + filter | Image:tank_and_filter.jpg| Above ground tank + filter | ||
Image:Gardena adjustable dripper.jpg| The drippers I used | Image:Gardena adjustable dripper.jpg| The drippers I used | ||
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Image:Filter V2.jpg| Improved filter w/air release | Image:Filter V2.jpg| Improved filter w/air release | ||
Image:Start year 3_20160512.jpg| Year 4 begins | Image:Start year 3_20160512.jpg| Year 4 begins | ||
</gallery >=== | |||
</gallery> | |||
[[Media:Drippers_with_cleaning.ogg| Drippers running, one slow, so it gets cleaned]] | [[Media:Drippers_with_cleaning.ogg| Drippers running, one slow, so it gets cleaned]] | ||
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Grass cuttings are spread at the base of each plant as a mulch to keep the moisture in. | Grass cuttings are spread at the base of each plant as a mulch to keep the moisture in. | ||
'''Drip adjustment''' | ==='''Drip adjustment'''=== | ||
To begin the season, a glass was placed under a dripper and left to run for 1 hour and adjusted until 100ml dripped per hour. All plants were set to the same drip rate and allowed to run. During the summer we experimented with more or less water per plant and although we found it difficult to always have the same drop rates, no plant showed too much or too little water symptoms, but no records were kept since it was mainly to ensure that the system would work as expected. In hot, sunny times much more water was released, but without sensors in the earth it's difficult to know what amount is correct. The system was never turned off, meaning it dripped 24 hours per day, but very slowly. | To begin the season, a glass was placed under a dripper and left to run for 1 hour and adjusted until 100ml dripped per hour. All plants were set to the same drip rate and allowed to run. During the summer we experimented with more or less water per plant and although we found it difficult to always have the same drop rates, no plant showed too much or too little water symptoms, but no records were kept since it was mainly to ensure that the system would work as expected. In hot, sunny times much more water was released, but without sensors in the earth it's difficult to know what amount is correct. The system was never turned off, meaning it dripped 24 hours per day, but very slowly. | ||
'''Plants:''' | ==='''Plants:'''=== | ||
16 Tomato | 16 Tomato | ||
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Various others including Eggplant, Cucumber, Green Beans, salad, herbs and spices. | Various others including Eggplant, Cucumber, Green Beans, salad, herbs and spices. | ||
'''Big garden''' | ==='''Big garden'''=== | ||
Multiple basic gardens share the same water source for an economical way to feed entire villages. | Multiple basic gardens share the same water source for an economical way to feed entire villages. | ||
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==='''Lessons learned'''=== | |||
'''Lessons learned''' | |||
- year 1 > 2 | - year 1 > 2 | ||
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- year 4 | - year 4 | ||
The manual cleaning of drippers must be eliminated. It's the main drawback to this system. After | The manual cleaning of drippers must be eliminated. It's the main drawback to this system. After four weeks they begin clogging and cleaning helps, but it's difficult to leave the system alone for more than a few days. | ||
I'd like to solve this by putting a tiny motor on top of a spike at the plant and let the drip fall onto the ends of 2 wires, the computer could read the short circuit as a drop, thus enable real automation by adjusting the pressure on the hose to regulate the drop count. | |||
Conclusion of year 4 - The filter worked perfectly for 4 weeks, but the problem wasn't solved, so my search goes on. I have a new filter idea to try in the coming year. I'll be using the same tank, but as a "swirl filter"! I'll add pictures soon. The filter will again be placed after the above ground tank, my hope is that the slow moving water inside the filter will allow particles to fall to the bottom, while much cleaner water will go out the top. This should improve the ability for my drippers to run for a longer time without clogging! More coming soon! | |||
- Sommer 2017 | |||
Success at last, the swirl filter seems to have made a major difference, but the following years will give the true verdict. The sommer had a nice crop with limited work, but due to the weather conditions I can only say that additional years will be needed to compare against. More detail follows! | |||
Due to travel in May the drip system didn't begin until 1 June. May saw hand watering every 2nd day, but the plants were very small with limited roots. On 1 june the drip system was started and no more hand watering was done. The entire month of June the drippers were monitored daily to see if adjustment or cleaning was required, cleaning was not needed, but getting the plants on a similar rhythm took time. May/June saw no rain, so by the end of June the tank was getting low and the water began to smell bad. At this point the drippers were often black and needed to be opened periodically to let the dirt flow through. Before a rain storm the tank was emptied without the tank ever running dry. When the rain came the water was again clean and has been running without adjustment until today, 19 July. | |||
== '''Conclusion'''== | |||
This system runs well with little supervision, but the beginning takes time since too much or too little water can be bad. Automation would allow a hands free garden and is the prefered solution, if it can be done cheaply enough to feed the masses with little attention. | |||
=='''My challenge to you!'''== | |||
use your imagination! | This project is simple to recreate inexpensively, do it with as few parts as possible, and as many as possible made with recycled plastic! | ||
* A few examples | |||
** eliminate the 4 corners! | |||
** replace the 30 reducers and drippers with something recycled!, | |||
** change the mechanical dripper which easily clogs with a simple, inexpensive alternative | |||
** how do you collect and store enough water to best get through the dry season in various climates? | |||
** use your imagination! | |||
Most importantly of all! It must be so simple, any child could run it. There must be at least 1000 ways, please help me find them. | Most importantly of all! It must be so simple, any child could run it. There must be at least 1000 ways, please help me find them. | ||
You're welcome to take my simple, yet expensive version and put it to shame, by: | ===You're welcome to take my simple, yet expensive version and put it to shame, by:=== | ||
* simply find a solution that works better: | |||
** cheaply mass producible | |||
** automate it, make the dripper clog free | |||
** eliminate or improve the filter | |||
** bring the price per plant to below $1.00 | |||
** keep it simple enough that even a child must use it | |||
Where would I begin? | ===Where would I begin?=== | ||
* An electrified dripper, could be a stepper motor or anything else. How about man made muscle? | |||
** Stepper motors can be taken from outdated CD/DVD drives | |||
* Networking, cables or IoT | |||
* Computer, I'd begin with Rasp Pi, but cost and power must be considered. | |||
** Linux because it's free and open | |||
** Ubuntu Phone - Because it's Linux and needs apps badly. | |||
* Recycled plastic, we must find a way to use what's choking our waterways. | |||
* Produce where jobs are needed most to allow multiple benefits from a single solution. | |||
** If we can give the poor work and a way to feed their families we can stop them from leaving home. | |||
== Future Plans | == Future Plans - here's where I want your help. Please fill in the blanks! == | ||
I've begun a list of the things which may seem impossible, but someone is already doing many of them. | I've begun a list of the things which may seem impossible, but someone is already doing many of them. | ||
Join in and see how it changes the world! We can reach the Global Goals if enough people take part in the search for answers. | Join in and see how it changes the world! We can reach the Global Goals if enough people take part in the search for answers. | ||
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:[https://containergardening.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/bottle-tower-gardening-how-to-start-willem-van-cotthem/ Bottle towers] | :[https://containergardening.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/bottle-tower-gardening-how-to-start-willem-van-cotthem/ Bottle towers] | ||
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_foot_gardening Square Foot garden] | :[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_foot_gardening Square Foot garden] | ||
:[ | :[[Aquaponics#INTRODUCTION|Hydroponics]] | ||
Indoor vs. Outdoor gardening | Indoor vs. Outdoor gardening | ||
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::Make it cheap, available at night and non polluting | ::Make it cheap, available at night and non polluting | ||
:::Wind or solar? | :::Wind or solar? | ||
::::[ | ::::[[Practivistas_Chiapas_windbelt_ASE|The Windbelt]] | ||
::::[ | ::::[[Ghetto2Garden_renewable_energy_2014|Solar]] | ||
::Electricity storage and conservation. | ::Electricity storage and conservation. | ||
::We can produce electricity in various ways, does this make an e-pump better? | ::We can produce electricity in various ways, does this make an e-pump better? | ||
::How do we get enough for 3d printing | ::How do we get enough for 3d printing | ||
:::[http://ecowatch.com/2015/04/14/solar-powered-3d-printers Solar powered 3d printer] | :::[http://ecowatch.com/2015/04/14/solar-powered-3d-printers Solar powered 3d printer] | ||
:[ | :Lighting | ||
::[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5YQ4t5apPM Light in dark places from trash] | |||
:[[Open_source_3D_printer_literature_review|3D printing]] | |||
::Drawing parts | ::Drawing parts | ||
:::Get drawings into proper format | :::Get drawings into proper format | ||
:::Pre-prep of parts for printing | :::Pre-prep of parts for printing | ||
:::Files in public domain | :::Files in public domain | ||
:::[ | :::[[Converting_2D_images_to_3D_for_printing_using_open_source_software|2d to 3d conversion]] | ||
::3D printing of useful things | ::3D printing of useful things | ||
:::Can we print the tubing connections? (T's, reducers, etc) If not how can we make them? | :::Can we print the tubing connections? (T's, reducers, etc) If not how can we make them? | ||
Line 261: | Line 279: | ||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:211321 Or this] | :::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:211321 Or this] | ||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:446455 Lots of examples] | :::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:446455 Lots of examples] | ||
::::: | ::::Some parts I may be able to use. | ||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:268333 Hose connector] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1916657 Nice printed valve] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1624066 Same here] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:138112 Another possible valve, but plastic is lighter] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:20661 And another] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12311 More complicated, but another approach] | |||
:::::[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1724048 This could replace my manual drippers] | |||
::::What plastic is best, ABS? PLA probably not OK because it's based on sugar (my understanding) | ::::What plastic is best, ABS? PLA probably not OK because it's based on sugar (my understanding) | ||
:::Other printed parts | :::Other printed parts | ||
::[[MOST_RepRap_Primer|RepRap]] | |||
:Water capture and storage | :Water capture and storage | ||
::Garden Barrels | ::Garden Barrels | ||
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::Filtering for household use | ::Filtering for household use | ||
:::[http://www.appropedia.org/Practivistas_Chiapas_rainwater_catchment Chiapas] | :::[http://www.appropedia.org/Practivistas_Chiapas_rainwater_catchment Chiapas] | ||
:::[http://www.appropedia.org/She-ba_low_cost_water_filters_for_rural_households#at_pco=smlre-1.0&at_si=58359d5f44b05282&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=2&at_tot=4 Sheba water filter] | |||
:::[http://www.cawst.org CAWST] | :::[http://www.cawst.org CAWST] | ||
::Efficient ways to capture rain | ::Efficient ways to capture rain | ||
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::Water from the air | ::Water from the air | ||
:::[https://watersustainabilityandfogwater.wordpress.com/fog-catchers-and-how-to-make-your-own Fog Catcher] | :::[https://watersustainabilityandfogwater.wordpress.com/fog-catchers-and-how-to-make-your-own Fog Catcher] | ||
:::[http://waterseer.org/ Waterseer] | |||
:::[http://www.warkawater.org More water from air] | :::[http://www.warkawater.org More water from air] | ||
:::[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_water_generator Water from air!] | :::[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_water_generator Water from air!] | ||
:::[http://www.zeromasswater.com water + electricity from 1 unit] | |||
::Efficient ways to clean | ::Efficient ways to clean | ||
:::[http://www.appropedia.org/Low_cost_water_filtering Simple filter] | :::[http://www.appropedia.org/Low_cost_water_filtering Simple filter] | ||
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::Humidity | ::Humidity | ||
::Water penetration | ::Water penetration | ||
:::[http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_smart_irrigation_controllers Free info] | |||
:::[http://michaelsarduino.blogspot.de/2015/09/feuchtigkeitsensor-selber-bauen.html A simple moisture sensor] | :::[http://michaelsarduino.blogspot.de/2015/09/feuchtigkeitsensor-selber-bauen.html A simple moisture sensor] | ||
:::[https://www.hackster.io/jklemmack/win10iot-irrigation-controller-with-mositure-sensors-833b55?ref=platform&ref_id=425_trending___&offset=162 And another] | :::[https://www.hackster.io/jklemmack/win10iot-irrigation-controller-with-mositure-sensors-833b55?ref=platform&ref_id=425_trending___&offset=162 And another] | ||
:::[https://github.com/Miceuz/i2c-moisture-sensor Yet another] | :::[https://github.com/Miceuz/i2c-moisture-sensor Yet another] | ||
:::[http://gardenbot.org/howTo/soilMoisture Many possibilities] | |||
::PH | ::PH | ||
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::Land selection (climate + latitude + altitude, etc.) | ::Land selection (climate + latitude + altitude, etc.) | ||
::Choosing the right plan? | ::Choosing the right plan? | ||
:::[http:// | :::[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/1/1c/Walipini.pdf BYU Plan] | ||
:::[http://onecommunityglobal.org/aquapinis-and-walipinis/ An interesting site] | :::[http://onecommunityglobal.org/aquapinis-and-walipinis/ An interesting site] | ||
:::[http://vergepermaculture.ca/blog/2013/12/18/robs-modified-walpini/ Things to think about] | :::[http://vergepermaculture.ca/blog/2013/12/18/robs-modified-walpini/ Things to think about] | ||
Line 338: | Line 367: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [http:// | * [http://globalgoalsclub.weebly.com The Global Goals club web site] | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/GlobalGoalsClub/ Our Facebook page] | * [https://www.facebook.com/GlobalGoalsClub/ Our Facebook page] | ||
[[Category:Agriculture]] | [[Category:Agriculture]] | ||
[[Category:Irrigation]] | [[Category:Irrigation]] |
Revision as of 17:38, 17 December 2018
Gravity fed drip irrigation, with the intent of complete, hands free automation.
Welcome, you've arrived at the Global Goals clubs challenge WIKI. We ask you to see this as a possible starting point to a new beginning. We hope to prove to the world, that if we use the SDGs as a guideline, a starting point in the search for simple answering to impossible poverty and hunger. If each of you reading this works toward even one small answer, the millions of small steps when combined into big steps, could be enough to change the world. We view Appropedia as a playground for people who love to try new things. We beg you to look around, find something you like and make it better. We know there are better ways to do almost anything, maybe you'll find some of them.
What follows is an example of a simple yet effective way to create an abundance of fresh vegetables in a small space with minimal resources. See it as a sort of "Vorarbeit" for the challenge. We ask you to create a wiki about your project and keep the world informed of your status.
My wiki is free to the world to copy. I used off the shelf products at a normal price, but which could easily be replaced with home made versions, preferably from recycled plastic. This is your challenge, to prove that the world can still be saved, if only we try. Find a way to mix cheap modern technology into the SDGs to answer as many of them as you can.
The project below attempts to answer problems within a multitude of SDGs simultaneously. Please feel free to use your imagination to improve upon it or any of the questions at the end.
My personal challenge to you is to improve what I've begun and make it the answer I believe it to be.
The intelligent, low budget mix of garden with technology!
Goal: To prove that by mixing fresh vegetables with science, recycled plastic, computers and computer networking, the poor starving people of the world can be fed at a minor cost, weighed against the benefit to mankind. The garden and ideas demonstrated here are in the public domain, free for anyone, anywhere to use. In exchange I only ask that you find a way to help in reaching the Global Goals and especially Zero Hunger by 2030!
This goes to the global goals!
Intro
Welcome to my garden! What began as an experiment, has turned into a working garden which can run alone for several weeks at a time using rain water. The garden presented is small scale, approx. 30 plants, but can easily be expanded simply by adding more branches from the above ground tank and filling it more often. It's main purpose was to eliminate the carrying of water, eliminate guess work and wasted water, while ensuring that the harvest is never at risk due to lack of water. The main benefit was that the automation worked so well that a 2 week vacation could be taken in the middle of the season. Only 3 things limit its effectiveness; drought, pump outage and overly dirty water.
Our greenhouse
20 Square meters, 4 x 5 Not heated, so does freeze at night if it's cold
I've attended this garden of approximately 30 plants for 3 seasons. The 1st ran without filter and the daily battle with dirt clogging the drippers convinced me that a filter was needed. I created one out of sand and gravel, which made an incredible difference. This year I intend to improve the filter somewhat, otherwise won't make any changes from last year, other than exchanging dirt and changing plant location.
Update: The 2018 season is now behind me and my system does what's expected of it. The problem remains that after approx. 4 weeks the drip becomes unreliable due to buildup. The goal of self-cleaning or self regulating is still a dream waiting to be solved.
Parts List:
Originally I didn't want to include one, because it was too expensive and depends on what's available locally. Since we have no more water pressure than gravity gives us, it only needs to be water tight. Here's a list of the parts that I used, but hope to find (create) 3D printed and/or alternatives to reduce cost.
- 1 X 4000 liter underground tank (could be any size)
- 1 X pump (can be human/wind/solar or anything else powered)
- 1 X 100 liter above ground tank (again size unimportant)
- Hose - Enough to get the water out of the big tank and into the small one
- 4 X 90° 1/2" tubing connector
- 3 X 90° 1/2" T tubing connector
- 30 X 1/2" > 1/4" reducer T's
- 30 X Drippers
- 1/2" tubing - enougn to reach all Plants
- 1/4" tubing - enough to reach all Plants
- 1 X Sand and Gravel filter made from: (links to follow later)
- 1 X 30 liter tank with screw on top
- Gravel
- Small stones
- Sand
- About a million connectors of all makes and models
Description of set up
Rain water is collected underground. A pump attached to a timer runs at a specified time each day to fill an above ground tank. The fill level is measured using a standard toilet floater to shut off the pump when the tank is full.
The water in the tank is fed from the bottom, through a sand + gravel filter to remove fine contamination. The filtered water runs through 1/2" tubing and a branch of 1/4" tubing with an adjustable dripper at the end runs to each plant.
-
Initial coarse filter
-
Above ground tank + filter
-
The drippers I used
-
My 1st attempt
-
April, shortly after planting
-
4 Aug. left side
-
Right side on 5 Sept.
-
Improved filter w/air release
-
Year 4 begins
Initial coarse filter
Above ground tank + filter
The drippers I used
My 1st attempt
April, shortly after planting
4 Aug. left side
Right side on 5 Sept.
Improved filter w/air release
Year 4 begins
Drippers running, one slow, so it gets cleaned
The drippers are adjusted to provide approx 100ml of water per hour when the tank is full and will gradually decrease during the day as the tank empties. I estimate that each plant receives 2l water over a 24 hour period. At this time the tank is refilled, bringing the drip speed back to 100ml per hour. With time, dirt and/or algae collect on the dripper, decreasing output and must be cleaned away. I used an old toothbrush and opened the dripper to full open to flush dirt out of the tubing and dripper.
Grass cuttings are spread at the base of each plant as a mulch to keep the moisture in.
Drip adjustment
To begin the season, a glass was placed under a dripper and left to run for 1 hour and adjusted until 100ml dripped per hour. All plants were set to the same drip rate and allowed to run. During the summer we experimented with more or less water per plant and although we found it difficult to always have the same drop rates, no plant showed too much or too little water symptoms, but no records were kept since it was mainly to ensure that the system would work as expected. In hot, sunny times much more water was released, but without sensors in the earth it's difficult to know what amount is correct. The system was never turned off, meaning it dripped 24 hours per day, but very slowly.
Plants:
16 Tomato 10 Paprika Various others including Eggplant, Cucumber, Green Beans, salad, herbs and spices.
Big garden
Multiple basic gardens share the same water source for an economical way to feed entire villages.
Lessons learned
- year 1 > 2
Without the filter, the drippers required cleaning every 2-3 days, eliminating all time savings.
- year 2 > 3
The filter worked well, but a dry spell left the underground tank empty, so that tap water had to be used. Shortly afterward the drippers began to clog and the top layer of sand was dirty when it was opened. The question is, did the filter stop working because the bottom of the tank was very dirty, or that the living filter was damaged by the tap water. Next question, does the filter live or is there too little oxygen? I hope I can answer those questions in the future.
- year 3 > 4
It's difficult to find a cheap and easy way to seal a filter to take the full pressure of the 80 liter tank. Found a more permanent solution, but water always finds it's way through the seal. This problem remains unsolved!
- year 4
The manual cleaning of drippers must be eliminated. It's the main drawback to this system. After four weeks they begin clogging and cleaning helps, but it's difficult to leave the system alone for more than a few days.
I'd like to solve this by putting a tiny motor on top of a spike at the plant and let the drip fall onto the ends of 2 wires, the computer could read the short circuit as a drop, thus enable real automation by adjusting the pressure on the hose to regulate the drop count.
Conclusion of year 4 - The filter worked perfectly for 4 weeks, but the problem wasn't solved, so my search goes on. I have a new filter idea to try in the coming year. I'll be using the same tank, but as a "swirl filter"! I'll add pictures soon. The filter will again be placed after the above ground tank, my hope is that the slow moving water inside the filter will allow particles to fall to the bottom, while much cleaner water will go out the top. This should improve the ability for my drippers to run for a longer time without clogging! More coming soon!
- Sommer 2017
Success at last, the swirl filter seems to have made a major difference, but the following years will give the true verdict. The sommer had a nice crop with limited work, but due to the weather conditions I can only say that additional years will be needed to compare against. More detail follows!
Due to travel in May the drip system didn't begin until 1 June. May saw hand watering every 2nd day, but the plants were very small with limited roots. On 1 june the drip system was started and no more hand watering was done. The entire month of June the drippers were monitored daily to see if adjustment or cleaning was required, cleaning was not needed, but getting the plants on a similar rhythm took time. May/June saw no rain, so by the end of June the tank was getting low and the water began to smell bad. At this point the drippers were often black and needed to be opened periodically to let the dirt flow through. Before a rain storm the tank was emptied without the tank ever running dry. When the rain came the water was again clean and has been running without adjustment until today, 19 July.
Conclusion
This system runs well with little supervision, but the beginning takes time since too much or too little water can be bad. Automation would allow a hands free garden and is the prefered solution, if it can be done cheaply enough to feed the masses with little attention.
My challenge to you!
This project is simple to recreate inexpensively, do it with as few parts as possible, and as many as possible made with recycled plastic!
- A few examples
- eliminate the 4 corners!
- replace the 30 reducers and drippers with something recycled!,
- change the mechanical dripper which easily clogs with a simple, inexpensive alternative
- how do you collect and store enough water to best get through the dry season in various climates?
- use your imagination!
Most importantly of all! It must be so simple, any child could run it. There must be at least 1000 ways, please help me find them.
You're welcome to take my simple, yet expensive version and put it to shame, by:
- simply find a solution that works better:
- cheaply mass producible
- automate it, make the dripper clog free
- eliminate or improve the filter
- bring the price per plant to below $1.00
- keep it simple enough that even a child must use it
Where would I begin?
- An electrified dripper, could be a stepper motor or anything else. How about man made muscle?
- Stepper motors can be taken from outdated CD/DVD drives
- Networking, cables or IoT
- Computer, I'd begin with Rasp Pi, but cost and power must be considered.
- Linux because it's free and open
- Ubuntu Phone - Because it's Linux and needs apps badly.
- Recycled plastic, we must find a way to use what's choking our waterways.
- Produce where jobs are needed most to allow multiple benefits from a single solution.
- If we can give the poor work and a way to feed their families we can stop them from leaving home.
Future Plans - here's where I want your help. Please fill in the blanks!
I've begun a list of the things which may seem impossible, but someone is already doing many of them. Join in and see how it changes the world! We can reach the Global Goals if enough people take part in the search for answers.
I imagine this list as a place for school kids to find project ideas. Within the list there are an unlimited number of things which can be investigated, experimented with and refined. Take my idea a step further, change it to fit your needs, most importantly, document it to help others on the road toward Zero Hunger. Top priority is that you talk about it, let others know you're working toward the goals.
Please feel free to link yourself in here. Tell us about your project, we're searching for the same answers you are.
Some garden options, Pinterest is full of ideas.
- Sustainable agriculture topics
- Maybe help can be found here
- Raised bed
- Vertical gardening
- Again vertical
- In a sack
- Bottle towers
- Square Foot garden
- Hydroponics
Indoor vs. Outdoor gardening
- Advantages / disadvantages
Types of garden
Plants
- How do I decide what to grow?
- When to plant
- Diseases
- Where do I get the seeds?
- What works better where?
- Inside
- Tomatoes hate water on their leaves
- Outside
- Inside
- Define what each plant needs for:
- Sun conditions
- Watering requirements
- saturation levels
- depth
- Nutrients needed by various plants
- How to plant
- What works together and what doesn't
Automation, done dirt cheap
- Combine technology with gardening
- Automation
- An example
- And another
- This is getting close
- and closer
- A simple to follow video
- 3d print a step motor and sensor into the stake at the plant
- A simple squeeze of the hose with a part printed into the stake to adjust drip rate
- Make parts exchangeable for easy replacement at a minimum cost
- A simple squeeze of the hose with a part printed into the stake to adjust drip rate
- Allow the Pi to get input from the sensor and control the drip flow
- Gertboard type device as interface
- Networking
- How to find each dripper, sensor combination in the net
- How do we signal and power stepper motors at the plant
- WiFi or hard wire?
- Wireless has the radiation risk / Keep senders to a minimum
- Cloud storage
- Stats available on an app or online
- Interfaces
- How to go from PC to plant and back?
- How do I know what level my tanks have?
- The Gertboard
- Computer control systems
- PC ideas
- Raspberry Pi stepper control
- Step motor info (in German)
- An app
- Remote control
- Database, programs, interfacing
- Remote control through mobile app
- Drip adjustment with step motor or maybe something else?
- Sensor to count drops to PC which controls drip rate
- How to interface to the Pi, to count drops so it can use the number to adjust the drip rate?
- Efficiency and accuracy top priorities
- How to interface to the Pi, to count drops so it can use the number to adjust the drip rate?
- Pump - manual or wind/solar powered
- Computer controlled
- Feedback from tank feeler
- Same time each day
- Computer controlled
- Electricity - Everything, this will be new for me, but with your help. :-)
- Make it cheap, available at night and non polluting
- Wind or solar?
- Electricity storage and conservation.
- We can produce electricity in various ways, does this make an e-pump better?
- How do we get enough for 3d printing
- Make it cheap, available at night and non polluting
- Lighting
- 3D printing
- Drawing parts
- Get drawings into proper format
- Pre-prep of parts for printing
- Files in public domain
- 2d to 3d conversion
- 3D printing of useful things
- Can we print the tubing connections? (T's, reducers, etc) If not how can we make them?
- Do plans for those parts exist in the public domain?
- Some parts I may be able to use.
- What plastic is best, ABS? PLA probably not OK because it's based on sugar (my understanding)
- Other printed parts
- Can we print the tubing connections? (T's, reducers, etc) If not how can we make them?
- RepRap
- Drawing parts
- Water capture and storage
- Garden Barrels
- Filtering for household use
- Efficient ways to capture rain
- Water from the air
- Efficient ways to clean
- Efficient ways to use
- Additional Sensors
- Temp
- Humidity
- Water penetration
- PH
- Door/window openers, tank fill measurement and pump start/stop
- Some nice to haves, but not necessary, unless to better control climate.
- Recycle plastic
- How do we stop plastic from getting into the ocean?
- How do we efficiently clean up what's laying everywhere?
- How do we get the most out of our garbage?
- How do you sort what you find?
- How do we get people to recycle?
- Recycle plastic into things we need
- Another source
- This doesn't relate to our project, but is an example of plastic reuse.
- Can we make the hoses and tanks?
- Filament extrusion
- Walipini
- Land selection (climate + latitude + altitude, etc.)
- Choosing the right plan?
- Water
- Chemistry within the garden
- Efficient use of space
- Heating with the sun
- How do you make it easy for anyone to find an answer to a question?
- I've given them a place to meet, but how to reach their hearts?
- Education
- How to reach the young
How to show them our world as it is, no blinders Please feel free to link your genius into this page ;-)
Keep your projects as simple as possible, a child should be able to use it. We'll need to include an intended audience selection, so each garden can be classified for searching. I encourage comments, because I really want my team to help me fix my problems. Tell your friends about my wiki and the GG club. We need all the help we can get!
If you have an idea, but no team to back you up, you can count on me. Let me know and I'll find them. I can yell real loud!
Please don't miss this chance to heal humanity before it's too late for us all!!!