| One vital routine in home gardening which entails | | | | matting, place a plastic sheet over it, with holes |
| boredom is your water management aspects. | | | | cut out for the pots. Alternatively, use a 12 - 18 |
| Busy people can't cope with these activities since | | | | mm/1/2 -3/4 inch layer of sand.o Trickle Irrigation. |
| every minute is very important for them. Failure | | | | This system can be left operating in your garden |
| to serve enough water to your plants would bring | | | | for a couple of days without your attention, |
| to your frustration in home gardening. Being busy | | | | ideally for busy people. Water is usually supplied |
| is not an alibi to maintain the growth of your | | | | by mains water and ballcock used to ensure the |
| plants. | | | | water level remains constantly flowing. |
| But, don't panic, there is a solution to this problem. | | | | Steps to follow: |
| Getting Automated! | | | | 1. Alternatively, use a large plastic tank as a water |
| This system does not need a main water supply | | | | reservoir. But unfortunately, this does not provide |
| and is therefore suitable in all gardening activities, | | | | constant water pressure and the flow of water |
| either it be greenhouse or home garden. | | | | alters. |
| Select the following systems that would fit your | | | | 2. To correct this, use tubing to direct water into |
| convenience...o Bottle Reservoir. | | | | the top each of each pot, its flow controlled by |
| Steps to follow: | | | | nozzles. Initially, regular attention is needed to |
| 1. Invert and secure a refillable bottle of water, | | | | ensure the right amount of water is reaching each |
| using a flexible piping, conduct water into a | | | | plant. Avoid water logging the plants.o Mist |
| waterproof plastic tray. The neck of the bottle | | | | Propagation Units. At one time, this system was |
| needs to be level with the surface of a strip of | | | | only available to commercial nurserymen, but now |
| capillary matting laid in the tray's base. | | | | amateur types are available. Create a mist of |
| 2. By adjusting the height of the reservoir, the | | | | water over cuttings, keeping them cool and |
| level of water can be raised and lowered. If the | | | | reducing the need for them to absorb moisture |
| reservoir has an open top, water will pass out | | | | before new roots are formed.o Thermostats and |
| steadily. However, if it's formed of a closed bottle, | | | | Timers. This system includes the use of electrical |
| a further pipe needs to be fitted to prevent a | | | | equipment and thermostats to control |
| vacuum forming in the bottle's top and the flow | | | | temperatures. Combines with a timing devices, |
| of water being stopped. | | | | electrical equipment can be controlled to come on |
| 3. Stand pots on top of the capillary matting. | | | | and off to a desired temperature at a touch of a |
| Plastic pots don't have crocks (broken pieces of | | | | switch. |
| clay pots) placed in their bases and therefore | | | | Timing clocks and thermostats are invaluable for |
| water readily passes from the matting to the | | | | controlling temperatures and their duration. Position |
| compost. Clay pots however, are usually crocked | | | | them where they will not be wet with water, as |
| and therefore the compost will not readily absorb | | | | well as out from strong, direct sunlight. |
| water. | | | | Make sure to select any system you think is |
| 4. Insert a wick into the base of each pot so that | | | | easy to operate and will make your work easier |
| it acts as a channel for the water from the sand. | | | | even while you're out for work, while plants are |
| 5. To reduce evaporation from the capillary | | | | properly attended to without your presence. |