Not much to contribute here - got deep watering bottles going now

aliska12000

14 years ago

It's cool and refreshing here. Last year I talked about getting some soda bottles and irrigation spikes going.

Hostas don't need it yet, but I've used it in a dry area where I have some struggling roses that need lots of TLC, also to give some other plants a jump start this spring.

Since I set them up, we've had lots of rain, but I'll need them again.

I'll post the link to my thread in the antique roses forum. There are other useful ideas in that thread.

You people told me to water, water, water. Got more spikes coming and saving soda bottles. Somebody found them a lot cheaper and posted where to get them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Easy deep watering w/2 liter soda bottles and Irrigation Spikes

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
super

whatever works....

but i dont know if i like looking at the bottles all season long..

but if you are happy.. i am happy

ken
aliska12000
Original Author
14 years ago
First, my son was admiring my one bed with the plain old plantageneria, really nice foliage, was asking about it. He has a 3-car wide, gently sloping driveway facing south that runs for quite a length. It's very dry there and just cooks in the summer.

Do you think the Honeybells could stand it? I doubt the plantageneria would. If not, are there any that could? He does know how to run irrigation.

but i dont know if i like looking at the bottles all season long..

I suppose most wouldn't. I can put up with the bottles for now, better than losing plants or not thriving, may not anyway, give it my best shot. In time, I'm filling in with more perennials and mulching better (I just did not feel up to saving leaves last fall - that worked really well), and the foliage in places tends to hide the bottles.

Once well established, some of my other plants will need much less water, hostas probably always will, but the hose is close.

but if you are happy

Thanks, ken. You were a lot of help, inspiration and encouragement last year. Most peoples' gardens and lawns are much nicer and just look like well-tended gardens and yards should look. I just have to deal with what is, better than what it was. So, no, I'm not all that happy, because at my age, I'll never be able to have it the way I want it all. One little success and problem dealt with here and there is what it's about for me.

Did you see the photo on my other thread of the steps where the hosta are now, what it was like in May 2006? Before I got new steps poured, portions of sidewalk replaced, and added the rail?

Fooey, I'll just stick it back in here, you know how the other is coming along. It's really amazing how it fills in in just one year.

{{gwi:1012069}}
Related Discussions
Got liner, water and goldfish, now what? Please help..
Q
Comments (8)
My appologies cherryhill. It just seemed that your post had every problem that a newcomer to ponding could possibly encounter over a few months, was happening to you all at once. TT gave you some good advice about the temporary filtration and clearing up the water. That would be the first thing I would do, then I'd sit back, relax and plan my next move. It is a pity you got ahead of yourself and put fish in before the pond was ready for them. I would be sure all the rocks you intend to use in the pond are washed/scrubbed clean, before placing them in the water. They could carry all sorts of dirt and gunk that could cause problems for the fish /water condition. One other thing I would suggest is, that you think about going with an external pond filter.There are many home made types that do an excellent job and are usually more cost effective than the ready manufactured type. If at all possible,stay away from flower pots with pea gravel or plastic totes with lava rock packed around the pump, they are heavy and difficult to keep clean. Or a five gallon plastic pail with window screening,all that will be is an eyesore sitting on the bottom of the pond. Good luck with your pond. Take it slooooooow. LOL "Horton"
...See More
I just got 15 water cooler bottles....
Q
Comments (17)
no bandsaw at our house either. I do have a dremel and that is what I plan to use. I may just draw a line so I can keep it sort of straight. :) As for seeds in them I am planning alyssum, Rudbeckia, creeping thyme. I have many packets of alyssum so now I can just sow one big jug instead of several. I was not worried about the neighbors (until now) :). I guess I could get a small decorative fence/border edging to cover them from view. I have a small bed that I use for tomatoes, veggies and herbs and I store my containers there. I have 112 sowed so far. After these 15 I may be done till I do some srping sowing (I have some zinnia to sow) I love the idea of making them like a greenhouse! I have some sedum cuttings that I keep forgetting to water. I may take those outside inside a water bottle. I don't have a large property just 1/3 acre. I have beds around my entire house and by the street. I plan to enlarge one by the street because the section of grass is hard to mow. I also plan to have Rudbeckia Everywhere. I just loved them last year. they did well for me. I was bad at collecting seeds though :( Karen
...See More
deep water culture tomatoes too much work!
Q
Comments (13)
Thanks everyone. Broke down this weekend and converted the system to recirculating dwc. I think we went overboard with the reservoir bucket, 27 gallon container found at the home despot for $9. We made our own "bulkhead" connectors using pvc and garden gaskets, and attached dripsystem hoses. With the pond pump and parts, it was about $100 total. Drain from each bucket by gravity. Easy to reach equilibrium. We put all six bubblers into the reservoir instead of individual buckets, not sure why... probably should've left them in the buckets. Reservoir is not ideal plastic and likely full of bad contaminants, but this is all just a test anyway. We harvested soil-grown tomatoes already which were started a couple weeks AFTER we started the hydro grown ones, these are just going soooo slow, very anxious and frustrated, better be good :) Biggest mistake was putting the reservoir on the ground with no drain *face palm*. I will likely install a y-valve at the pump so we can easily pump out "most" of the water. We tried to setup the trellis on the table, however, it kept falling over, so for now, the trellis remains as is and we'll have to deal with arching tomato plants.
...See More
How much water does elderly cat need? Using bottle
Q
Comments (6)
She did start urinating again yesterday. Twice, and it was not concentrated. Second time was a lot. So I believe she is no longer dehydrated, unless it takes longer to reverse than just the appearance of normal volume would imply. I tracked the intake so I know what went in. I didnÃ¢ÂÂt get the lab reports. I saw them and had things explained to me, but was too disconcerted to ask for them to bring home. Normally I would have. I have to call today to get the results for her Phenobarbital levels. She had lost a pound since her annual checkup in March 2013Ã¢ÂÂ¦so dose likely needs adjusting. It was cut back a year ago, as she had lost weight then too (she was originally overweightÃ¢ÂÂ¦now she looks smaller but not thin). They had no explanation for the dehydration. But for the last few weeks sheÃ¢ÂÂs been in sort of a Twilight Zone, sleeping 95% of the time. ThatÃ¢ÂÂs been coming on for a while, just sleeping greater and greater amounts of the time. If I put her in one place, she stays there, until I move her again. The only independent movements have been to get to the litter box, which is only half the time. I donÃ¢ÂÂt think she wakes up enough to think sheÃ¢ÂÂs thirsty. I have to stimulate her for a while to wake her up enough to eat, and to drink from the bottle, now. The food is Science Diet A / D Ã¢ÂÂCritical careÃ¢ÂÂ . Even I think it smells good. It stays soft, even straight from the refrigerator. She is lapping it rather than biting it and picking it up. She is 14 ÃÂ½. I have polled my friends with cats, and it seems like many have cats who live longer, but her health issues may be compromising her health to the point where that is impossible for her. My last cat died of kidney failure at 10, so Shadow is the longest lived cat I have had. If you call this a life. As long as she responds to me and purrs I figure she is not miserable or in pain.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
ooohhhhh

your the step project lady .. how about an after pic

then the bottles would be a superb use on that steep incline ...

and its plantaginea ... the 6 inch white flowers... and the hosta that will probably take the most sun of any ....

i wouldnt waste time with honeybells.. not that fragrant... matte green.. just nothing special.. 200 more plantaginea would be spectacular ...

or.. look up guacamole ... or any of the ones in that group ... big stink.. and some variegation .... holy mole... and some other tex/mex variations on the guacamole name ...

ken

Not much to contribute here - got deep watering bottles going now

Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

aliska12000
Original Author

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Not much to contribute here - got deep watering bottles going now

Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

aliska12000Original Author

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

aliska12000
Original Author