Also good for establishing just how much water you have given by hose -
it may be less than you think.
--
Kay Easton

Very true. I remember when I first took to gardening years ago and hosed a
patch until I thought it was well soaked - until I dug up a little earth
and
found that the water hadn't penetrated below the first inch of soil.
Someone once told me that it is best not to superficially water plants too
often since it encourages the roots to form near to the surface - thus
making them susceptible to wilting in dry weather. Better to water
infrequently but to absolutely soak the ground when doing so to ensure the
water goes deep - this encourages plant roots to form deeper and then
makes
them more tolerant to prolonged periods of dry weather.

I've taken to picking up deiscarded pop bottles in the street (we don't
drink it). After a thorough washing I cut off the bottom, unscrew the top
and bury it, top down, into the ground a few inches from the vegetables'
stems. There are lots of these discarded bottles! With a watering can i fill
the bottles daily and the water soaks into the ground near the roots, not
being wasted on the surrounding soil.

I can't claim this as my invention, I got it from Bob Flowerdew and I'm sure
others have been using it for a very long time but another airing of the
system won't do any harm.

Incidentally, we bought a rainsaver water butt and it collects a huge amount
of rain water, no need for using a hose. Apart from environmental
considerations we're now on a meter and shall save far more than the cost of
the butt in a year).

Mary


--
Drakanthus.


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