Self watering

hpsauce1995 · July 2019

Hello, im going away soon for 7 days. I have 4 raised beds that have plants that will need watering. Having a neighbour come in is out of the question. I've been looking into self watering systems. So far everything I've tired has failed.

I tried whole water bottles no caps. Soaked the mud first then tip bottle in full of water...none of the water drained away and the bottle just got sucked in.

Then I tried half water bottles with no caps. The water just drained away within minutes.

Lastly I have tired half water bottles with caps with holes in and the water drained away slower but still within the hour all the water was gone.

I have no idea what I'm doing wrong but dont want to lose all my hard work with my vegetables

I've also looked to purchasing water gloves but due to the size of the boxes not sure if this is a viable choice

Sorry for the long post and any advice will be greatly recieved.

purplerallim · July 2019

To slow the release of water I have put sand in the bottle, it helps if you keep the cap on with one hole and an inch of sand. Done this for my tomatoes before putting in a watering system.

Joy* · July 2019

Have you got the facility to install a proper system with a trickle hose and perhaps a timer to keep water use just adequate. I tried all sorts of bottle set ups with tubes and drip feeders but none were any good. Most plants need more water than bottles can provide.

hogweed · July 2019

When you get really hooked on gardening, you tend not to take holidays when produce needs watering - unless you have a friendly neighbour or friend that can step into the breech! It takes as much planning to leave a garden as it does for a pet!

KT53 · July 2019

Installing an irrigation system for 4 raised beds will be both time consuming and expensive. The only practical alternative I can think of, if neighbours aren't an option, is to thoroughly soak the ground before you go and keep your fingers crossed.

josusa47 · July 2019

Or pay someone to come in and water? Teenagers are usually glad to earn some extra pocket money in the holidays. Or a domestic help agency could supply someone, but that would cost a lot more.

amancalledgeorge · July 2019

I've recently set up a drip irrigation system and it took that worry away. Worth the investment in my mind and it didn't cost more than £100 including the electronic timer...easily can buy much cheaper mechanical ones. I went with Gardena but if you go more generic...plenty of cheap supplies to be found on eBay.

mrtjforman · July 2019

ah I would come up with a great system using pumps, timers and feeding lines but tbh sometimes the easiest option is the best.

When I was a teenager - so over 20 years ago I had some amazing self watering devices made out of clay. You can't seem to buy them that easily these days but the principle is the same, clay is a semi porous material so can release water very slowly.
you need a device like this one for your bottle watering to work:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ironhorse-Watering-Devices-Terracotta-Outdoor/dp/B07RLZWDT3/ref=asc_df_B07RLZWDT3/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=265495279369&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12745530755188321335&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006656&hvtargid=pla-760868009251&psc=1

I also found a simple youtube video that shows what a woman did going away longer than you - same principle of using clay evaporation to keep the plants watered
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRiLhrY2CMc

hpsauce1995 · July 2019

I've only recently moved into my house so dont know any of my neighbours yet that's why that's not really an option.after a couple of weeks of filling the bottles up 2 or 3 times a day they seem to be working now. So fingers crossed

Self watering

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