Aqua Cones for Watering

Has anyone tried aqua cones in an SFG? They attach to a 2 liter bottle and water as needed. Here's a link to them from Gardener's Supply:
http://www.gardeners.com/Aqua-Cones/Watering_WateringCans,18034,default,cp.html

Claire

Yes, about 18 years ago! They enabled me to grow canteloupe, which needed a constant supply of water. Then we moved, and the cones got misplaced (probably thrown out), and I just haven't thought of them since -- dunno why, they would probably do very well for us in SC.

I'm going to be away from home for a few days and am worried about the need for water in the SFG. I thought the Aqua Cones might be the answer.

I remember them from years ago, too ! I may even have one of them around the garden shed someplace. Probably all broken. I just might get a couple and give it a try.

Claire

mckr3441 wrote:I'm going to be away from home for a few days and am worried about the need for water in the SFG. I thought the Aqua Cones might be the answer.

I remember them from years ago, too ! I may even have one of them around the garden shed someplace. Probably all broken. I just might get a couple and give it a try.

Claire

i have no idea what an aqua cone is - but why couldn't you just poke a few holes in bottom of milk jugs keep cap on for slower flow, and place in center between squares? seems to me it would slowly water 4 squares per milk jug. . . have to tweak the hole size to get flow right, but i know i've read of folks years gone by who did that in their gardens. . . and even watered lawns that way. . .

the milk jug would even dispense very warm water (solar warmed!) that way so the plants will be just thrilled to be cared for this way. . .

i love recycling. *grin*

just clicked the link in first post. . .

i bet you could use almost any kind of container for this irrigation method!

and i truly think the milk jugs would be perfect.

and free - if you or someone you know drinks milk.

me, i have 3 young kids and 2 out of 3 like milk. (gosh, i sound like a survey, lol.) so we buy a lot of milk. . .

I'm such a "consumer" that I never thought of making my own. HappyFrog you're a genius! Tomorrow's project: test different bottles, nevermind the nozzle that I'd have to pay for!

Thank you for the idea.

Claire

This reminded me of something I used to do years ago and "forgot" about. To water tomatoes, I'd take a milk jug, cut the top a bit larger for easier access, punch three or four holes in the bottom and bury it about half-way into the soil between each plant. Worked like a charm. In a SFG, I think I'd only bury it about three inches. I'll have to put out the word that I need some milk jugs and see how they work in the SFG. Thanks for the reminder!

I have been reading every garden book I can get my hands on lately and two of the books recommend turning a 2 Liter soda bottle upside down and putting small holes in the bottom. They say you should place them at the time of planting so you don't disturb the roots. I have been collecting small and large bottles for this purpose especially since there won't be room for 2-liter sized bottles everywhere. My contact lens solution bottles seem like the ideal size and will drip the water slowly if I just remove the cap.

Wish I had read this sooner! My first SFG is all planted and most things have sprouted, but I'm going to be gone for a few days and am worried about the watering. Any ideas for temporary watering while I'm away?

I've used both milk jugs and soda bottles.. I had to put gravel in them to keep the wind from blowing them over, but it does work.. a little hard to refill without washing the soil tho...

Thanks to everyone for adding your thoughts. I'm going to try one of these, or maybe several, for the weekend -- that is if it stops raining! . I still have some empty squares I can put a bottle or two in.

I tried to test this in a pot before the rain and the water just went right out of the bottle. There wasn't any plant in the pot and I guess the soil was really dry. Once the soil is wet I hope no more water will flow from the bottle.

I'll let you know.

Claire

Make the holes really small and not too many of them.. I found that even with the top on tight the water would leak out too fast if there were many holes...

Thanks Sceleste. I tried another bottle in soaking soil and the water still went out pretty quickly. You're right, my holes were too many and too big! Now I have to wait for someone to finish up another drink!

We're sloshing here!

Claire

There's another thing you can do which takes a little more preparation but is kind of interesting to observe. Kids get a kick out of it, especially little boys who are fascinated by things that "morph."

Fill a clean, empty milk or water jug with water. Don't put the lid back on and don't poke any holes in it. At the foot of the plant to be watered, using wood, bricks, whatever, prepare a ground support with a hole in the center just wide and deep enough for the jug opening. You want to support the shoulders of the jug such that the jug mouth comes into direct contact with the soil, is maybe even buried into it a tiny bit. Keep your hand over the opening of the water-filled jug, turn it upside down, and swiftly put it into place. Then walk away.

Because there is no air coming into the jug, the water will issue into the ground VERY slowly and the jug will kind of collapse inward into a twisted shape as the day goes by. Kids get a kick out of how it happens and you get to explain about air displacing water, etc.

Very interesting June. I'm going to try that. I'm not sure though that I'll have room for the support. I'll try some different things, maybe even some different size bottles.

We've has so much rain that I haven't really had the chance to practice much !

Claire