George I lived in Murrieta until about ten years ago. Now I am in a similar climate In Sun City. Every once in a blue moon we'll get a cold snap in the 20s that kills everything but most years you can overwinter tomatoes and peppers. If they are already in containers you can move them to a Southern exposure with overhang from patio is perfect. The low Winter sun will keep them alive and, depending on the variety, they will ripen fruit. I have several tomato plants growing right now. They will not take nearly as much water during the cool winter months as they did when it was hot. It is very easy to root tomato cuttings in water or potting soil. You might consider doing that to start with fresh plants in in the Spring.

here are my previous response to your post. light just because a person has not posted on a forum does not mean that person has not been reading that forum. You assume that the two things are synonymous which they are not. lightt also I assumed the person would plant in quality soil;instead of just digging a hole and throwing the plant in!As for clay or sandy soil you question pointless since drainage is real issue either to much or to little. But you seem to go down the same path that previous trouble making trolls have claim someone is trouble maker to hide the fact that your own action are causing most of the troubles. Also if really want see what has gone in this forum read the google cache of this forums post.

Sey, The plants have drainage holes in their pots. They are allowed to dry between watering. The soil is general potting soil that is used by greenhouses (I was able to buy in bulk). Like I said earlier, it was within hours after watering with the water from the RB. I think that the herbicide is what is causing this. I have been using the recovery stuff when I do water. So far some have come back somewhat and some look like they will not make it. It is such a bummer because when you start them from seed, you invest so much time in them. Oh well, now I know to protect my RBs! Harry, I have lost many bushes and plants on the part of my yard that borders with my directly back yard neighbor. He gets his yard sprayed A LOT. It is very frustrating. I would say a wind block may help, but you would have to know when they are spraying. We have large yards and my gardens were in the back prior to this guy building his house. Thanks again for everyone's help. Lisa

Yes, but most of the water you're pouring on goes straight down. I call that wasted. I'm not arguing productivity, but if water conservation is what you're after, it isn't clear to me that this is the best way to do it. If you want to conserve water, you're best off spreading the water where the roots are. You may well have very deep soil, and the root ball of your tomatoes is largely cylindrical, but most gardeners aren't so lucky. I mean, if I dump enough water across the street, I'll bet some would spread back into my garden bed. Not much, but maybe some. I'm glad your garden is going well, but the original post was about wasting water.