watering while on hols

[jimbojetset]

getting in there way too early but was wondering if anyone had any good, cheap watering systems when it's time for summer jolly hol's?
in particular for grow bags?
has anyone tried those watering spike jobbies?
or what about those bucket looking thingies that sit around the plant?
cheers!
x

[chris]

For outside, or indoors? There's capillary matting that you can use (or old towels in the bath, soaked and then the pots put on them - same concept, I learnt that from here).

Outside - I just bought a hozelock ac1+ pro kit, think it was ~£40 Not set it up yet, but it seems to meet my requirements. You're limited to how many drippers/soakers you can have off it, so I'm going to have to pick another one up but yeah without using it I can say I'd recommend it, the instructions are clear and it is simple to operate.

[jimbojetset]

Cheers!
Outside, would love to set up the hozelock, but unfortunately I don't have an outside tap!
Will mainly be using it for growbags too, so i guess the matting isn't going to work.
Any other ideas?!

[Liza]

neighbour or friend ?

[peaksfield plotter]

Hi Jimbojetset
This is my first message on the site .... I've just been planning for the same problem myself ....
I had a 250 gal plastic drum acquired from work which I've sited outside my wooden greenhouse, drilled hole through panelling and connected up a Hozelok water butt irrigation kit (ca. £20). I've only got 3 cucumbers and 3 tomatoes on it at the minute but am planning to add more. My tap is down the other end of the garden so I've filled the drum up and am adjusting the flow rate gradually. Stage two of plan is to connect drum to the down pipe from the greenhouse which also connects to the garage roof. Not expecting it will adequately supply all the water needed for my week away but am hoping it will prevent me coming back to a greenhouse full of dead plants!

[louisesgarden]

You could be really cheeky like my in laws ! who get my hubby to do it ! they have more hanging baskets that the chelsea flower show ! a 30ft x 25ft greenhouse stacked to the rafters with tomato plants etc ! then bugger off for 3 weeks in august leaving him to do it oh and look after their 12 dogs ! ( maybe i should have put this in the rant thread !)

[chris]

Hi Jimbojetset
This is my first message on the site .... I've just been planning for the same problem myself ....
I had a 250 gal plastic drum acquired from work which I've sited outside my wooden greenhouse, drilled hole through panelling and connected up a Hozelok water butt irrigation kit (ca. £20). I've only got 3 cucumbers and 3 tomatoes on it at the minute but am planning to add more. My tap is down the other end of the garden so I've filled the drum up and am adjusting the flow rate gradually. Stage two of plan is to connect drum to the down pipe from the greenhouse which also connects to the garage roof. Not expecting it will adequately supply all the water needed for my week away but am hoping it will prevent me coming back to a greenhouse full of dead plants!

You can also get water but pumps too for around £20 - I was going to mention this method but you've already done it! Welcome to the vine too!

You could be really cheeky like my in laws ! who get my hubby to do it ! they have more hanging baskets that the chelsea flower show ! a 30ft x 25ft greenhouse stacked to the rafters with tomato plants etc ! then bugger off for 3 weeks in august leaving him to do it oh and look after their 12 dogs ! ( maybe i should have put this in the rant thread !)

!? 12? 1 was enough!!

[louisesgarden]

!? 12? 1 was enough!!

Dont set me off chrismarks its every august !

[Lee.Storer]

Hello all.

I have successfully used a Hozelock AC1+ pump over the past few years, and have now moved to a new property without a garden tap.

I am led to belive that the AC1+ wouldnt work using gravity feed alone in a water butt as the pressure is not high enough.

I see that Hozelock sell a water butt gravity set, but this does not allow for a timer, and is therefore manually turned on or off.

I cant use a water butt pump as i have no electricity in the garden.

Any ideas?

Has anyone managed to run an AC1+ from a water butt?

Heres hoping as i am on hols in 3 weeks.

lee

[Paulottie]

The trouble I found with gravity drip systems from waterbutts is the nozzles clog....more than with mains pressure anyway.

But I don't see why a timer wouldn't work though...just need to convert to hose size and back again.

[Jimmy]

Take your holiday in the Garden.
Problem solved and a wonderful holiday.
No iffy food
Real ale at some nearby local
No weird languages
No excessive Sun/heat
No airport blocks

And if you plan it right
No wife, send her off on a holiday.
Jimmy