going away for the summer any advice on watering systems

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carole
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Location: COCKERMOUTH, CUMBRIA

I shouldn't brag, but i'm off to the alps for 6 weeks in July. I am a keen veg grower and I've planned well so that i can harvest lots before I go and then harvest again at the end of august. However I can't expect my friendly neighbours to water my garden whilst I'm away. Does any one have experience of automated watering systems and would you recommend them.
Chris
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Location: Moray, Scotland

carole

Are you thinking about open ground or is there a greenhouse to be watered as well? I have no experience of automatic systems - have always relied on other people. Maybe you need to think about paying someone - teenage child of a friend who would be very happy for a bit of summer work without expecting a fortune?
Chris
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Compo
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Chris's idea is not a bad one really, the first thing you need to start with is a timer for the outside tap, and your into twenty quid straight away, then you have got hosepipe, fittings and micros hoses etc, you will also need to trial the system for a few days too, to make sure it is reliable and delivers enought water to where you want it. I used to have a static caravan and installed one at the house as we went away to the van a lot, it was ok, but am sure I used more water than I would doing it manually.

Good luck!!!

Compo
If I am not on the plot, I am not happy.........
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dovesails
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Carole,

As compo said you will need to test what ever set up you decide upon. What are the areas that you need to cover?

I am currently working on automating a green house and some external watering (new fruit trees)using low pressure (water butt). I intend using a Gardena T1030 card timer that I successfully trialled last year for a ten day test on tomato plants. This year I'm working on a cheap ballcock operated capillary system for inside the greenhouse.

Do you have mains water?

Let us know how you get on or if you need more info.
You CAN be too careful!
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carole
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Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:14 pm
Location: COCKERMOUTH, CUMBRIA

thanks everyone.
I was going to pay a child, but as I'm a secondary school teacher, i didn't want any of my "kids" hanging around my house for 6 weeks. I have found an automated water timer half price in B and Q today and I've also managed to get a Y valve so that I can run a drip pipe in to my greenhouse as well as run a srpinkler to my veg plot. I thought that if I buy early, i can test it out. Wish me luck! thanks again
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