"You can buy a water meter for $20 and up in Lawn and Garden sections of retail establishments or in home improvement stores. They come with different features depending on how fancy you want to get but you only need a meter that will turn itself on and off according to a timer you preset You'll want to check the package before you leave the store to make sure you have the right battery on hand. Mine takes one 9-volt battery that lasts all season. When the battery is dead it's time to stop watering again anyway.
You will also want a splitter, a fitting that allows you to attach two hoses to your faucet and turn them on and off individually. I bought a brass one for about $12 as I recall. It's pretty simple to attach the water meter to your faucet. The splitter goes below the water meter.
While you're in the store make sure you get way more soaker hose than you think you will need. Remember the object is to have living plants whey you return home. Loop these through the plants within your beds in circles so you water both sides of the roots. You'll attach your soaker hose end to a regular hose to get you across any patios and walkways to the garden itself. Attach the other end of the hose to one side of the splitter. You can leave the other side of the splitter free for filling watering cans or attaching a hose with sprayer, for catching potted plants, hosing down the patio, filling wading pools and the like.
Enjoy! I set this up as soon as possible in the summer to save me hours of time spent watering. You can set the meter and forget it. I usually program the meter to water once a day in the morning for increasingly long stretches of time as we move into summer. If I set the meter for night time the slugs get at the plants and makes them vulnerable to powdery mildew."
What do you do to keep plants alive while on Vacation? Share your tips in the comments below!
You will also want a splitter, a fitting that allows you to attach two hoses to your faucet and turn them on and off individually. I bought a brass one for about $12 as I recall. It's pretty simple to attach the water meter to your faucet. The splitter goes below the water meter.
While you're in the store make sure you get way more soaker hose than you think you will need. Remember the object is to have living plants whey you return home. Loop these through the plants within your beds in circles so you water both sides of the roots. You'll attach your soaker hose end to a regular hose to get you across any patios and walkways to the garden itself. Attach the other end of the hose to one side of the splitter. You can leave the other side of the splitter free for filling watering cans or attaching a hose with sprayer, for catching potted plants, hosing down the patio, filling wading pools and the like.
Enjoy! I set this up as soon as possible in the summer to save me hours of time spent watering. You can set the meter and forget it. I usually program the meter to water once a day in the morning for increasingly long stretches of time as we move into summer. If I set the meter for night time the slugs get at the plants and makes them vulnerable to powdery mildew."
What do you do to keep plants alive while on Vacation? Share your tips in the comments below!
*I have added this link to: Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday, visit to see amazing garden and decor ideas!
10 Comments:
WOW...very informative!
Blessings, andrea
What a great blogging idea!!!!! I seriously love your design and I am sooooo following! Have a great one,
Machelle
Okay, I took your button too! Really like this idea.
Machelle
Wow I love what you did with black and whites in this picture.
And what a wonderful waterhose holder If only I could fine one of those here.
D.
Usually I just cross my fingers and hope for some rain while I'm gone. ;)
Mom is so smart! I will have to try this. I usually ask a neighbor to do it when I'm gone, but I always feel like I'm imposing :(
Good post- my hubby just finished our watering system this weekend and I'm so thankful! Not only will it save us while we are gone on vacation, but it helps me out on days when I'm busy with errands and don't get a chance to water.
Being in AZ, we can't afford NOT to water :)
another great tip! Jean
Nice post! I enjoyed reading your post! I also do watering my plants using my garden hose and I really enjoyed doing it. Anyway, Thanks for sharing.
pressure washer hose
What a great tip! Sounds like you have a very wise Mom.
Debbie
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