Creative watering methods
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Creative watering methods
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 15:59:27 EDT
Group:
Mike (the other half) found an article on alternative watering systems a few
months ago while scanning over his political listserver's postings. He printed
it out, and I will share it with you.
The article describes how a lady rigged a perfect watering system for her
garden by utilizing large, plastic barrels that commercial detergents and
soaps come in. These are readily obtained by contacting hospitals, hotels,
large restaurants, or other institutions that might have them. They will give
them to you for the asking, as they are bulky to store and dispose of.
After rinsing them clean, she took them to a hardware store and had someone
install a very inexpensive garden hose fitting to each barrel. This way, the
barrels could be linked to one another or used independently with garden hose.
The barrels are placed in her garden, then filled with water. She is then able
to connect soaker hoses or garden hoses to each area of the garden she needs
to water, and the watering is done simultaneously by gravity. The barrels have
lids and can be left open to collect rainwater or filled with a pump or garden
hose.
I kept this idea in the back of my mind, and came upon the opportunity to
obtain similar barrels from a friend of mine who recently sold his pickle
business. The barrels I have are black, heavy duty plastic and hold 45 gallons
each. They have lids, and were used to transport sauerkraut, high acid vinegar
and kosher dills. In fact, they are shaped like pickle barrels!
Here is our plan: We are watering with a 5 hp ag pump and 175 ft of 2 inch
hose. The field is 400 ft long and 150 ft or so wide, with a slope to the
North for perfect drainage. We'll place these barrels in areas that are hard
to reach with the hose, and fill the barrels, allowing the plants to be
watered gently and quickly. Better use of water and less evaporation,
meaning more water to the plant. Also, less time involved in the watering
process. A 5 hp pump can put out 195 gpm, so filling 8 barrels at 45 gallons
each would take just a few minutes! This way, 8 plants are being watered at
once, while we turn the hose on several other plants simultaneously. Larger
plants get more fillups or two barrels.
Additionally, the barrels are heavy duty, but light enough to carry or move to
another plant when empty.
I am in the process of fitting the barrels with their spigots. After use at
the field, we plan on using them to collect rainwater for watering at home.
While we would not need 8 of these barrels at home, they stack perfectly and
can be stored for future use when we plant pumpkins again.
Because the barrels are black, they attract the sun's heat and can be an
effective water warming tool in cooler regions. Ganging them together adds to
their usefullness and cuts watering time.
I am interested in feedback. Anyone with ideas or experience using similar
vessels, please respond.
Barb and Mike Kincaid
Orlando, FL
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