Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Another method is to choose what is called a self-watering planter. These containers have
several openings located around the base a few inches from the bottom. They are watering
ports to add water to the plant. As the plant dries out, the roots pull water from the bottom.
However, in order to check the level of moisture, you will still need to stick a finger in the
port to test the soil.
So how do you create the perfect balance of keeping plants sufficiently hydrated without
having to set your timer every few hours to douse them with water? Choose a more prac-
tical solution.
There are several convenient, economical and easy ways to make sure your garden gets ex-
act amount of water that it needs.
Water Mats:
Known by different names, you lay these mats of porous material on top of
the dirt surrounding the plant. When you water the plant, the mat soaks up excess water and
stores it. As the plant begins to dry out, water is slowly released from the mat to the plant.
To see if the mat's supply of water has been depleted, simply touch it for dryness.
Drip Bulbs or Drip Balls:
Known by different names, it still uses the same objective. A
bulb or ball is filled with water and inserted into the soil. The bulb/ball releases moisture
one drip at a time to maintain a constant, albeit slow, dispensary of water onto the plant. If
there are several plants in one container, you just place the bulb/ball in the middle so that
all of them are sufficiently reached. When the bulb/ball is empty, refill it.
Drip Irrigation Lines:
These are very popular, especially for larger container gardens. But
do not let the name fool you; you won't have to invest in an entire irrigation system for your
yard to reap the benefits of a drip system.
There are different manufacturers of these systems, but they all serve the same purpose.
The “power supply,” if you will, is a small timer that attaches to an outdoor water faucet.
No adapters are required. It simply screws onto the faucet like a garden hose. On the outgo-
ing port of the timer is a small hose similar to a garden hose, but with one small difference:
it is lined with tiny holes that drip water.
Some variations will provide the hose and allow you to punch your own holes in the appro-
priate spots. An ice pick will do nicely. Usually, the systems that do not pre-poke the holes
for you will provide a small tool to use for making holes. But you have to be very careful
making holes so that they are uniform across the garden. You also don't want to deliver too
much water to one plant and not enough to another.
