Gardeners know how important watering and nutrients are to our beloved flowers, vegetables, and trees. We all begin the spring planting with much enthusiasm and anticipation for the bounty and beauty to follow. But, as the summer ages, I have often looked for ways and ideas to conserve my time and effort while still getting the job done. A portable micro automatic irrigation drip watering system may help you manage your plant watering needs by watering when you can’t because of your busy schedule and where you can’t because of location.
The picture above is an example of how I start new fruit trees. This new apple tree is surrounded with chicken wire to protect it from deer. I later added some wooden half barrels inside the fence around the tree and planted tomatoes and onions. The plants also are protected and provide ground cover around the newly planted tree reducing soil evaporation.
The trees in these pictures are located far from any available water source. This is one example of a situation where water and nutrients need to be transported to the site. Other examples include:
Urban backyard and rooftop city gardening where available water sources are sometimes limited or unavailable.
Rural areas, like ours, that do not have available sprinklers or hoses that extend to the desired location.
Places around your house where driveways and sidewalks have sealed off an area where there are no available sprinklers and the cost of running lines under the concrete are prohibitive.
Square foot and above ground gardens where you want extra watering in specific areas.
Vacation Watering.
One solution to these watering problems is Watering Rocks, www.watering-rocks.com.
The advantages of using Watering Rocks or any other portable micro-irrigation equipment are numerous.
- They are portable, lightweight, and require no electricity. Where you may need the equipment today you can change and place in a new location tomorrow.
- The portable mini drip systems can save you loads of time. It takes me approximately 2 hours to fill 6 five gallon rocks and replace to the desired areas. I use my trailer and 4wheeler to take the rocks to an available hose. You can also use a 2-gallon watering can with the spray nozzle off to fill the rocks. Once filled, you are done for 2 -3 days or more depending on the weather.
- They can be an attractive addition to your garden such as the sandstone and white granite rock appearance of a Watering Rock.
- Portable mini drip systems can be filled using collected or reclaimed grey water.
- Portable mini drip systems can be filled to water even when watering restrictions are in place by filling them during allowable times.
- Compared to the cost of running new water lines, sprinklers, and drippers portable mini drip systems will save you quite a bit.
- Portable mini drip watering system saves water by watering a specific targeted area rather than large area blanket watering.
- Nutrients added to the water like Annie Haven’s organic Moo Poo Tea are distributed to the plants slowly and consistently with the slow drip. www.manuretea.com
- They provide a slow drip to your plant. This allows the soil to more thoroughly absorb the water. The Watering Rocks hold 5 gallons of water and will water 6 areas for 2 – 3 days if the 6 adjustable drippers are set to a slow drip.
As you can see there are many benefits from using portable micro-drip systems. They are so flexible and time-saving. Check out www.watering-rocks for more features, time-saving tips, or questions. Also, see Jodi Torpey and Western Gardeners at www.westerngardeners.com for more tips and reviews, especially the review on Watering Rocks.
Also, a portable mini drip watering system may be a good birthday or Christmas gift for the gardener that has everything.
Look for a future blog on how a portable mini drip system can be used to water bird baths and outdoor pets.
Go to watering-rocks.com to see how a portable mini drip watering system can be used to water hanging baskets.
If you are a landscaper, garden center, golf course, city maintenance or parks department, or retailer, and are interested in our product contact us at our website for further information.
Your gardening friend,
Jim Whitis