Kitchen Garden Forum

Well posting this incase it helps someone else and to show my success
At the allotment I have a watering system up and running that is supplied by my waterbutt and it works!
From the waterbutt, (which is raised 1.5ft above the beds) i have a 16mm supply pipe running down the length of my tunnel (at a later date i will fix it to the wooden base rail) from this i have 7mm waterbutt pipe from www.gardensystems.co.uk P&P £1.80- £4.60)which already has drippers inside and these run into my planting areas. I have also fixed two taps along two areas of 7mm pipe so that i can turn of the supply if i don't require the area to be watered when the bed is empty.

I have only set this system up in two large beds for my tomatoes in my PT to help my fellow plot holders water my tunnel when i'm away but when i get back I will extend the system to all the beds and the bench.

I also picked up a few connectors from B&Q who do a 16mm and 7mm supply pipe, their 7mm doesn't have drippers inside you have to buy a pack of them and add them yourself.

I'm really pleased that i've been able to do this,my PT is 20ft x 14ft, i'm a 35 Mum who's husband hasn't been to my plot in the three years so i'm on my own, so if i can do it anyone can. I even think the guys at the allotments are impressed with my efforts.

It's so far cost £24.32 but i have loads of the 16mm so won't need anymore of that. Money well spent, it normally takes me over 20 minutes just to water 2 thirds of the tunnel using two watering canes.
Marianne

Good for you. Hope it all goes well and you sound over the moon with this system. Let us know how you go as I expect Julie will be interested aswell.
cheers now
Lez

Don't normally go to the plot on a Thursday but did today to check on the watering. Arrived at the plot to find to guys on my plot looking in my tunnel at the water pipes.

They didn't like being caught out but were only checking the watering set up out.

I guess word has got around

Hi Chicken - glad to hear that your watering system is working - we've tried a similar idea and our polytunnel is like a jungle! We've got a water butt and hosepipe, which goes into the polytunnel and we've then attached drippy pipes into the two sides where we plant. It does the trick as we can't use hosepipes except to fill the water butts - which is exactly where we need it. And it has saved us having to water morning, noon and night.