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How to Use Water Jugs for Slow Watering of Plants
How to Use Water Jugs for Slow Watering of Plants. Whether you plan to go away for a week or two on vacation or you simply have trouble remembering to water your plants on a regular basis, you need a little help making sure the garden doesn't wither and die in the summer heat. Automated watering systems are available in many sizes and...
Whether you plan to go away for a week or two on vacation or you simply have trouble remembering to water your plants on a regular basis, you need a little help making sure the garden doesn't wither and die in the summer heat. Automated watering systems are available in many sizes and configurations, but these can sometimes be complicated and expensive as well. A free drip-watering system is available to anyone who has access to empty plastic water jugs, and it doesn't take long to set up.
Things You'll Need
Soda or water bottle
Hole punch or drill
Gravel (optional)
Saw or knife (optional)
Right Side Up
Drill or punch eight to 10 small holes in the bottom of a clean plastic soda or water bottle, or some other type of water jug.
Add small gravel through the bottle opening until you have a layer of 1 to 2 inches in the bottom of the bottle. This helps weight the bottle down so that it doesn't tip over in the wind.
Fill the bottle 3/4 full with water, then put the cap back on lightly.
Set the bottle near the plant to which you want to provide slow drip watering.
Refill the bottle with water as needed.
Upside Down
Drill or punch four to six small holes in the cap of a plastic soda or water bottle.
Cut the lower section of the bottle off 2 to 3 inches from the bottom.
Put the cap back on the bottle, then bury the cap end 2 to 3 inches in soil next to the plant for which you want to provide slow watering.
Pour water into the open end of the bottle and refill as needed.
Tips & Warnings
Do not add liquid fertilizer or other chemicals to the upside down watering system if children or pets have access to the open water container.
According to Chicago Now, the upside-down watering system allows bugs and debris to get into the watering container, so they may need to be cleaned out regularly.
