It has been in the low to high 90's for the last week here...normally I would be watering at least once a day and in some of my pots..twice...this year tho, I took an more aggressive approach and it seems to be working.
I always mulch...and it helps..but is not enough...this year I used Peat moss heavily..and wow..what a diff I noticed. The only downfall I can see..is light rains seem to almost bounce off..it takes a moderate to heavy rain to seep into the moss well..but it keeps the ground much cooler and damper than my mulch. And as a added benefit..easier to dig in. It does "dirty" up the bottom of my picket fence quite a bit..but I just hose it off or pretend I didn't see it...I guess all good things have a downside also..overall..I am a newfound fan of this kind of mulch. I also used in hanging pots with the same results.
The second thing I did, was bite the bullet and go back to plastic hanging baskets. I had all coconut fiber and iron frame hanging pots. I really dislike plastic in the garden and thought the coconut and iron was more natural looking...but..... Keeping them moist enough was sometimes a twice a day job..especially with impatience which I love. It made going away even for overnight almost impossible. The hanging plastic pots I bought to replace were rubbermainds self watering pots with wick action.....I am SOLD....some of them in sheltered spots, I am watering only once a week or less even. Even those in full sun need only once a week.....they were definately worth switching back. A pleasant surprise. I have been told tho that the self waterers without wicks do not work that well...so if you switch...keep that in mind. I am sold 100 percent...
Another thing I did was buy a pint or so container of watering crystals in the spring before I began planting...I love them...I put them in ALL my containers (my family calls me the container queen) and all my hanging baskets..I think I have about ten of those. They too help a ton. I used them also in the ground where I planted this spring...they really seem to help. The only things I can say is follow closely the measurments recommended...more is NOT better. In two pots I added extra...and I lost both pots to water saturation within weeks after planting...so follow recommendations.
I also bought rainbird sprinkler system... 25.99 at Myers...installed in ten min and does a remarkable job also. I bought four systems and zoned them...hooked them with nelson quick connects and I just move the hose to them..click and let them go..EVERYTHING gets watered well ....even the tall stuff and little seedling that sprout up. I had tried soaker hoses in the past and still use one in the garden..but was not fond of them in the flower beds...I think I have to much in the beds and snaking it everywhere was just a mess of hose. DIgging was a hassled if I wanted to move something..and there was always something that didnt get wet enough. Now I like how it works in the garden..but not in my beds. It just didn't work well for me...
All in all...those things made a HUGE diff in my labor factor. Watering is only a small job now..not a several hour project each night. I am finally happy with the results. I can enjoy my gardens more than labor in them. Now if I could just find a good weeding solution :)
What do you do? What works for you and what did not? I Know we prolly all have diff tastes and needs? Please share your knowledge and experience.
All in all..these few steps in the spring, have really made a diff....and as I said.. I love impatience...and you know how they drink and demand water.
friend
keesha2006Original Author
Related Discussions
How do you plan to beat the heat this summer?
Q
How do these do in you HEAT?
Q
new: obf: july 'beat the heat' swap
Q
How do you plan to beat the heat?
Q
libbyshome
blossomgirl
diannesjmo
inthegarden_k
fammsimm
wantoretire_did
Eduarda
SandL
happyintexas
keesha2006Original Author
katrinascottage
keesha2006Original Author
BecR