Automatic Waterers, Part 2

Part 2 of the automatic waterer project, that got interrupted  by having to fix my lawn mower last weekend. 


Two weeks ago we talked about more complicated systems to keep you garden in water throughout the year.  This week I'm going to talk about simpler methods of watering plants.  One thing I didn't discuss was the ever present threat of mosquitoes in stagnant water in you barrels.  I would add a little bit of chlorine or bleach to your barrel to keep them from becoming mosquito breeding grounds.


If you do collect rain water, you can build in a filtration system, and keep the water clean.  You could then use rain water (with some fancy plumbing, that is way beyond my means, for now), for drinking, bathing, cooking, just about any thing you need water for around the house.  Maybe next year, I'll have the time and energy to work on a project this size. 

Pictured below are automatic waterers made out of a milk carton and a 2 liter soda bottle.  Just cut the bottoms off of a 2 liter soda bottle or a gallon of milk. 

Simple Waterers

These kind are more useful for plants that require hilling (think watermelons, potatoes and other vining plants).  Build your hill, and bury these in the center a little above the dirt level.  You can put some fertilizer inside and fill it up with water, allowing you to get fertilizer closer to the roots. 

They can also be useful for container plants.  When the soil starts to dry out, the water will be absorbed back into the soil.  Keep plastic bottles full of water, and you should be good all summer.