Holiday watering (for dummies)

[Kiwi_Soph]

So I have been trawling through all the holiday watering threads with a lot of enthusiasm but, if I'm honest, with additional mounting confusion and bafflement. I just don't think I am DIY-minded enough to deal with even the likes of an outdoor timer, let alone things like tubing and inner threads!


Basically I was wondering if anyone has any tips that would help me get vital water to my plants for 10 days in August. I have been offered a trip to Amsterdam- total dream - but the plant thing is worrying me. We don't have an outside tap to do the dribbly-hose thing; our neighbours are frail and/or elderly and the three people we know who live locally enough to water (and who we trust with a key) are coming with us!

The main things I will need to water are tomatoes (3 plants) and various courgettes and mini-squash, all of which are in large pots. The best suggestion I have had is possibly getting a cheapy paddling pool, popping it in the shade, filling that up and whacking the plants in but will it rot the roots? I have read on here about wet towels in the bath but could I do that in a paddling pool and how would I go about it? Do I need to buy a water butt to dribble out on the towels and how would I do that?


So many questions! (you think you have got the hang of this veg thing after a couple of succesful salads: then you realise how little you actually know! )

[scarey55]

I have done it before with seedlings. I put a big towel on the table and dipped the end in a bucket of water placed on a chair (so lower than the table) It worked for me and the seedlings just took the water they wanted from the wet towel.

I should think the paddling pool and towel idea would work but I would try and put the towel on a table or something higher than the pool.

[rustylady]

I have done it before with seedlings. I put a big towel on the table and dipped the end in a bucket of water placed on a chair (so lower than the table) It worked for me and the seedlings just took the water they wanted from the wet towel.

I should think the paddling pool and towel idea would work but I would try and put the towel on a table or something higher than the pool.

But not too high!

[singleseeder]

Have you looked at the possibility of installing an outside tap?

[bearded bloke]

Relative/workmate/neighbour ? Be sure to see Anne Frank's "house",very interesting but prepare yourself for a most somber experience,also well worth a look is the maritime museum

[Rocketron]

I use my son.

[Kiwi_Soph]

singleseeder - if it was my house it would already be installed! But I am basically a lodger, my housemates have been so kind letting me take over their garden; i'd hate to see their faces if I tried to re-route their plumbing!!

bearded bloke- same thing, really. Being a lodger means I can't really give friends or workmates the key to the whole house without feeling like I was invading. As for relatives, they are all back in New Zealand and, let's face it, it is a bit much to ask to come that far for a water! (as an aside we are definitely going to the Anne Frank house. We are booked into a hotel about 10m down the road so we have to!)

rusty lady and scarey - so in theory I would put all the plants on a big towel (or would like a charity shop carpet/curtain work) then dip the end a full paddling pool? And have the paddling pool lower? Would it work with just a garden slope? or does it have to be all angled?

[scarey55]

I would say a towel would be best because it would suck up the water, I don't know if a carpet/curtain would work but I am happy to be contradicted on this. You don't just have to use one towel, you could use two or three and, if it were me, I would be happy to use household towels, they won't get "that" dirty!

I would think a slope should be enough, what you don't want is for all the water to run along the towel and emptying the pool too quickly. Why not give it a trial run for a week and see how you get on.

[singleseeder]

Another option which hasn't been mentioned is using bottles with loose tops as a supply.

Fill large milk bottles (or similar) with water, don't screw the tops tightly, put the bottles on their sides and allow the water to drip out. This would keep the compost damp for a few days before it needed to take up any water from the bottom (towels etc).

I have seen this method used for plants in the ground in really hot weather; it prevents the roots drying too much before you can get there to water properly.

[Kiwi_Soph]

these are brilliant suggestions. I have bottles in my courgettes already (with the bases cut off and inverted) as it is just too hard to water through the forest of courgette leaves. Seems to work quite well; they take the water slowly throughout the day and if I get the angle right they even collect tiny amounts of rain water.

Still I think I might do it en masse for the thirsty kids in the garden - hopefully that combined with towels-and-pool will get them to survive.

Thanks, all of you!

[bearded bloke]

Have a good holiday,I am sure your plants will be fine one further piece of advice,when you visit the house wear flat shoes.

[Kiwi_Soph]

I have heard tales about the steps that are everywhere in Amsterdam - I think i'll probably leave my heels at home

[bearded bloke]

Heels are OK outside,but indoors stairs can be steep with narrow treads,the flight from the main house up to the secret room are very much so.

[Florence Fennel]

It sounds to me like it would be a good idea if you had a practice run as suggested above, that way if you have any problems, you can ask more questions before you go! Have a good holiday. I'm sure with the advice that has been given to you, your plants will be healthy on your return.

[Tattie-muncher]

When you get to Amsterdam, you'll have to visit the Sea Palace, its a floating Chinese restaurant, I haven't been in a few years, but it did the best meal in Amsterdam