Automatic Watering systems for containers

13 years ago

I found these in the UK but cannot find anything like them in the US. The ones I found in the US are easy enough to use I suppose but I couldn't buy a kit as I have more than 10 pots to water. I am not sure I am handy enough to set up a system on my own at this time for pots. In the garden, yes, but for pots??? I doubt it.

I can get these imported for not too very much money....I was wondering if anyone here has any thoughts or experiences using them?? Any ideas on something that would work for 40 pots besides this? I got severely overheated watering the last few days I have had to do it and with heat indexes in the 115 range, I am looking for a better way than watering every other day. PLUS water saving and less stress on the plants would be great too.

Here is a link that might be useful: HozeLock AquaPod

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Comments (5)

lagomorphmom
13 years ago
I don't think you'd want this for anything other than what they suggest it for (vacation watering) as the individual tubing is only 3 feet long if you watch the video.

The simplest thing would be to do your own drip system for your pots. Standing in the aisle at Lowe's will look a little scary, but don't let it be. If you get the few right parts that you need, it's like tinker toys (I'm dating myself, I should have said Lego's ;-)

The easiest set up that you can trick out later if you like is a simple setup with a hose-end quick disconnect so you can simply attach the hose when you want to water them OR put a Y on the end of your hose bib so you can run the hose on one and the drip on the other, you can find these over where the hoses, hose repair fittings and watering wands are.

I can give you a little list of what to get if can describe or better still post a picture of how your pots are set up. If you do a simple set up it will *get you started*, give you confidence and later if you want to fine tune it, you can do so.
athenainwi
13 years ago
Take a look at DripWorks. I used their rose kit for my garden and I think it would work fine for pots too. Or they might have a pot specific kit. Their system was very easy to set up and modify to what I needed.
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Automating watering can be very simple, or extremely complex. Pretty much all the systems are the same as you would setup for automatic sprinklers - only the terminal delivery is drippers/micro sprayers. On the simple end, you can have a battery operated timer valve hooked up to a hose faucet, a pressure reducer, then a hose to go to your plants, an adapter from the hose to drip irrigation hose, and then a series of drippers/sprayers to each container. The one I used for a while worked just fine. But you must check frequently and replace run down batteries. A more standard automated system is to attach the drip line to a irrigation valve, and a irrigation timer, just as would be done with a sprinkler system. Some manufactures make valves specifically for drip, and they quickly assemble with a pressure reducer often needed for a drip/micro spray system. Typical household or irrigation supply pressure is higher than you want for drip. Fertigation is definitely a possibility. And there are systems for both the simple hose bib attachment above, or complex systems. Aside from a venturi valve injector, most systems are rather spendy. Venturi valves cost less, but require more custom parts and titration work. The simpler pressurized systems (EZflow, etc) do have drawbacks in that they solution does not remain constant over time. Mid-line systems (dosamatic, dosatron about $350 or so) are nice options if one can afford it. Plants can wait for a dose of fertilizer. They can't wait for a water when dry. You can always add in a fertilizer injector later on if you so desire. But I'd definitely recommend going with auto watering if the hosing running from pot to pot and the requisite budget fit your situation. This post was edited by charina on Fri, Mar 28, 14 at 12:36
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I like Lee Valley Tools products as they end up cheaper. They have a low flow irrigation planning pamphlet.. It looks complicated and daunting at first, but the system is really simple to figure out and highly flexible. Since you have only got a few pots, setting it up should be even easier. The paradox is that if you only have a few watering points, it is more cost effective to buy the components individually. If you need to water multiple locations with different needs in terms of flow rate and watering pattern, one of the packages may be more useful. At a minimum, you need a flow regulator, back flow preventer, T-filter, hose/caucet connector, 1/2 inch header hose (length depends on the distance of the pots from your water source), 1/4 inch feeder lines (sold in lengths of 25 feet to 50 feet) and the necessary drippers. Don't forget to grab the $1.80 hole punch - you will need it. I prefer the "Shrubbler" as the flow rate is easily adjustable, the they are very durable.
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lagomorphmom
13 years ago
Yes, kits are a great idea and not to bad a markup, plus it saves trips to the store if you get them there because you forgot something. I think Lowe's & HD carry RainBird and the box had a nice assortment, as I recall.

I'm sure DripWorks is fine, lots of people use them but be advised that the kits (that I saw online anyway) don't have the drippers.
particentral
Original Author
13 years ago
The problem with the kits at lowes is they can only be extended for 9 plants if I read right and I have more than that in each or 4 areas at the shop:I have emailed drip works and they are doing up a custom design for me for all 4 areas at work. Might have to shuffle a few around but that's ok. They said to do it well I need 3/4 inch tubing or I will be underwatering. I will see what they come up with.
lagomorphmom
13 years ago
That's great parti! I think you'll be very happy with drip.

The beauty of getting stuff locally is you can see it, unfortunately tho' you can only see what they have. Calling DripWorks to get what you need rather than just ordering from them in the same way was a great call.

The only other thing I'll had is that we had 4 battery operated hose bib timers fail (3 brands) in two different locations. All got water in them (leaked internally or by rain) and shorted out. Not so bad if you're home as you are, but crummy for a second house like ours. If you're getting one from DW, do ask them if they are warrantied for leakage.

Good luck & enjoy!

Automatic Watering systems for containers

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