Chapter 13

WATER SYSTEMS

There are several ways to get water to
the plants: from the top by hand watering or
using an automatic drip emitter system,
from the bottom using a reservoir system or
wicks. All of these systems are easily set
up and maintained.

THE SIMPLEST

Everybody has watered a plant from the
top. Water is poured into the container until
the medium is saturated. After saturation,
water drains from the container. Sometimes
the containers are placed in a tray.

MORE COMPLEX

An automatic system is convenient
when the gardener is not around all the
time or sometimes forgets to water. The
systems are often home-made.
Most grow rooms are in spaces without
drainage. Systems in these areas use an
enclosed system with either a top or bottom
reservoir. Bottom reservoirs store water in a
space below the plants, perhaps under the
platform. A pump running periodically on a
short range timer pushes water from
underneath through a series of drip
irrigation tubes to the top of each individual
container. Excess water drains once the