How do you keep your veges watered while away?

**TucsonMax** · 01-17-2010, 12:43 PM

We're going away for 4 days and even though it's winter, I water the veges daily... what's the best way to handle this while we're gone? (I prefer not to alert the whole neighborhood by hiring a neighbor's kid.)

**crashdive123** · 01-17-2010, 12:47 PM

I use one of those water powered timers hooked up to a garden hose and little sprinkler. Mine isn't pictured in the link (it's just to give you an idea). I think I paid about $35 at Home Depot for it (several years ago).

**Rick** · 01-17-2010, 12:48 PM

Pssst. Crash....the link....we need the link.....

**hunter63** · 01-17-2010, 01:03 PM

Not a big problem around here if planted in the ground.......Now containers are another story.
As we split time 9 months out of the year between and "The Place", we have cut back on containers, as well as house plants during the winter months.
But I agree the best bet in a hot area in a timed water system.
(yo, Crash, here's your cue, Link, man, link)

**crashdive123** · 01-17-2010, 04:02 PM

Oopsie! http://www.bizrate.com/watergarden-i...igation-timer/

**TucsonMax** · 01-18-2010, 11:41 AM

This thread has a few other options:
http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDi...+timer&x=0&y=0

Some of these models are good, some lousy (not waterproof).
I suggest, when you find what you need, put the model number in Amazon and check out the reviews first, that'll tell you what others think and it might be cheaper there too.

**Trabitha** · 01-25-2010, 06:54 PM

I've always learned that it's not good to water a ground garden every day...I was told that it promotes shallow roots. Is that correct?
If I have containers, I usually just use the old 2 liter soda bottle trick. You can get the spikes at any garden center I think. Here they are on Amazon so you know what I'm talking about...http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Cone-Spik.../dp/B001ESSJOQ

**Swamprat1958** · 01-25-2010, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

I use one of those water powered timers hooked up to a garden hose and little sprinkler. Mine isn't pictured in the link (it's just to give you an idea). I think I paid about $35 at Home Depot for it (several years ago).

I use a soaker hose set at a trickle.

**rwc1969** · 01-26-2010, 12:20 AM

That's what I use too.

**Rick** · 01-26-2010, 10:07 AM

The plant roots will grow where you water. If you water shallow then you'll have shallow roots. Your garden needs about 1 inch of water per week, depending on conditions, soil type and whether it has been mulched or not. But always soak the garden when you water to promote deep root growth.

**Trabitha** · 01-26-2010, 10:44 AM

Maybe that's why...I load on the straw (that straw saved me from blight last season), and live at the base of a mountain that has constant runoff. I've been able to be a "lazy waterer" for far too long.
I'm sure that will have to change, once I get in a new house though.

**Chris** · 01-28-2010, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Trabitha

I've always learned that it's not good to water a ground garden every day...I was told that it promotes shallow roots. Is that correct?
If I have containers, I usually just use the old 2 liter soda bottle trick. You can get the spikes at any garden center I think. Here they are on Amazon so you know what I'm talking about...http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Cone-Spik.../dp/B001ESSJOQ

Yup, those are good for containers.

OR... save yourself some money, Just get a two liter, poke a tiny hole in the bottom, and set it right side up on the dirt, burried a little so it won't tip. Experiment to find the proper hole size, keep the top on so that the water is wicked down naturally instead of pouring out due to gravity (the air pressure with the cap on should keep it from coming down too quick).

**Ken** · 01-28-2010, 09:36 PM

You may be surprised at just how inexpensive an automatic underground irrigation system can be installed for. The most expensive parts are the back-flow preventer and the control panel, and they can be gotten for a reasonable price if you shop around. About 8 years ago, I did a 4,500 square foot area (4 zones) for around $500.00. I can program up to four watering cycles (adjustable periods of time) per day. It came with a rain sensor and assorted types of sprinkler heads.

(I pulled the underground pipe and ran the electric hook-up myself. If I had any plumbing skills, I could have probably saved another $150.00 installing the feed line and back-flow preventer.

)