Re: Bummer, Tomato Trouble

Roseinarosecity Tue May 07, 2013 4:33 pm

Wow, what a system in your raised beds!

Llama Momma, I don't think she means the rocks actually hold water, but the space between the rocks are channels to draw out water as well as drain water down when it is low on water.

I am so interested to know how much water you actually use in those beds.

jazzycat Tue May 07, 2013 4:33 pm

I have seen some people put aluminum foil around the buckets to reflect heat, and I actually meant to do that, but I had forgotten about it until you just brought it up. OOPS!

**llama momma** Tue May 07, 2013 4:41 pm

Roseinarosecity wrote:Wow, what a system in your raised beds!

Llama Momma, I don't think she means the rocks actually hold water, but the space between the rocks are channels to draw out water as well as drain water down when it is low on water.

I am so interested to know how much water you actually use in those beds.

Yet..her words were as follows-- ..draw water up from the ground and also store it. I understand the process you are describing, thanks Bummer, Tomato Trouble - Page 2 3170584802

Bummer, Tomato Trouble - Page 2 3170584802

**llama momma** Tue May 07, 2013 4:43 pm

jazzycat wrote:I have seen some people put aluminum foil around the buckets to reflect heat, and I actually meant to do that, but I had forgotten about it until you just brought it up. OOPS!

Ok then.

No_Such_Reality Tue May 07, 2013 4:50 pm

Put weedblock over your overflow tube too. If you don't you'll get all sorts of critters in the water reservoir.

That's a nice setup. I'm considering something like it as I figure it'll use much less water. Basically the model creates a standing water table about 1 foot down.

jazzycat Tue May 07, 2013 4:56 pm

Roseinarosecity wrote:Wow, what a system in your raised beds!

Llama Momma, I don't think she means the rocks actually hold water, but the space between the rocks are channels to draw out water as well as drain water down when it is low on water.

I am so interested to know how much water you actually use in those beds.

We put that bed in around April 13, and I've added water to the reservoirs once. They didn't need much, but I figure it's good to add fresh water. I'll probably add some more tomorrow or the next day. There are 5 reservoirs. I'm not sure what size they are, probably 20 quarts or so. There are 20 tomato plants in that bed, and tomatoes will apparently use about an inch of water per week, per plant. So, I have no idea how much that comes to, but the plants are very happy and I never top water. It's get top watered only when it rains.

Here is something about using rocks as wicks. This isn't where I originally saw it but I can't find the link and I don't feel like searching right now. It's a permaculture principle that is sometimes used. I'm still learning about it. I have to say, I was surprised as llama momma when I first heard it. lol

http://www.sfpermaculture.com/articles/article_pumice_wicks.html

jazzycat Tue May 07, 2013 4:58 pm

No_Such_Reality wrote:Put weedblock over your overflow tube too. If you don't you'll get all sorts of critters in the water reservoir.

That's a nice setup. I'm considering something like it as I figure it'll use much less water. Basically the model creates a standing water table about 1 foot down.

What kind of critters? And, what can I do eliminate them if they're already in there?

And thanks!

**llama momma** Tue May 07, 2013 5:06 pm

Jazzy - read the permaculture article, yes using a porous pumice/lava type of rock makes perfect sense for wicking purposes! Certainly not the 'regular' rocks I had in mind lol!

no-such-reality -- I'm thinking mosquitos for one example

No_Such_Reality Tue May 07, 2013 5:21 pm

I was thinking mosquitoes, gnats, earwigs, slugs, snails and then mice, shrews and anything else that can squeeze up the tube after the 'food'.

I had one of the connectors come out of my 1/2" drip tube once, I didn't notice and was surprise at the amount of life that found it's way in.

jazzycat Tue May 07, 2013 7:42 pm

llama momma wrote:Jazzy - read the permaculture article, yes using a porous pumice/lava type of rock makes perfect sense for wicking purposes! Certainly not the 'regular' rocks I had in mind lol!

no-such-reality -- I'm thinking mosquitos for one example

I did actually either see a video or read somewhere that setting a stone, a regular river rock, next to a plant will help draw water up. It makes sense. But I'm not sure where I saw it. If I find it again I'll post it here. Smile

No_Such_Reality eek! MICE? Shocked

and wow what a varied bunch of stuff I never even considered! Yikes!

I do pour hydrogen peroxide in there periodically to keep the water oxygenated. I guess I'll be making some caps for the tubes/holes with weed cloth tomorrow. I suppose I can secure it with rubber bands.

No_Such_Reality Wed May 08, 2013 11:16 am

It's like one of the other posters with the sig that says a weed is just a flower in the wrong place.

It is really amazing at how resourceful nature is when we just get of of the way. In SoCal, were water is naturally scarce, any regular water supply to an area left to it own quickly turns into an abundant oasis if not outright jungle until it outstrips it's water or overgrows and strangles itself.

jazzycat Wed May 08, 2013 11:48 am

No_Such_Reality wrote:It's like one of the other posters with the sig that says a weed is just a flower in the wrong place.

It is really amazing at how resourceful nature is when we just get of of the way. In SoCal, were water is naturally scarce, any regular water supply to an area left to it own quickly turns into an abundant oasis if not outright jungle until it outstrips it's water or overgrows and strangles itself.

I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, mostly in the Venice area. I was surprised when I found out it originally was wetlands. Yes, all those concrete channels that have been built there were to capture and contain the natural rivers that once flowed freely, after snow melts and heavy rains. Shocked

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