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New England Gardening

It's hot. It's humid. How do you water your foundation beds?

prairiemoon2 z6b MA

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

It's that time of year again. I can't complain, we've had a fairly good amount of rain this season, in comparison to others. But we've missed with a disappointing forecast that didn't materialize a few times. So I'm dragging the hose around again. At least I found a good couple of sprinklers and our old old hose is still working, although we've added a little duck tape in one spot. [g]

I don't mind setting up the sprinkler on the lawn, or to cover some of my borders, but when it comes to the foundation beds in the front and back of the house, it's a struggle. I can't get the sprinkler to cover that area without either getting it in the windows or pooling water. I can, it just is not as easy as other areas. So sometimes I opt for hand watering, which I really don't enjoy doing in the heat. Not the biggest problem in the world, but I thought I'd ask if any of you clever people figured out a better way. :-)

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Comments (2)

Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
3 years ago
I don't have too many beds right up against the house, but for those we do, we close the windows. Or forget to close them and mop up water! I have to water the entire cottage garden by hand since we have such high iron in our well water. sprinklers would hit the fence and farmers porch and stain it all orange. We learned that the hard way with our first fence. Not pretty. Have you ever considered some sort of drip irrigation in those areas? Something permanent?
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Oh wow, I guess I don't have it so bad....orange stains on the house and fence that you have to avoid, that really is something I never heard of, but it makes sense. So, I wonder if you have ever considered drip irrigation. lol. I have had a fleeting thought about it, every once in awhile, but I think that about the vegetable beds more often. I have no idea why I haven't done it. I did put down some soaker hoses in some areas, but, I haven't used them in awhile. I need to check to see where they are again. Oh, I left them out one winter and they sprung a leak. I just need to replace them, and put them away in the fall.

Soaker hoses I am a fan of, but not drip irrigation. I often think that I'm changing plants and shrubs in my garden too often to really get the benefit of 'permanent' drip irrigation. Then it would be one more thing to move. [g]

But that's a great idea. That's what I need, is to buy some new soaker hoses at the very least. Thank you. :-)
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