Preventing dead plants when away

layton1837
layton1837 Forum Participant Posts: 109
edited June 2021 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Problems with watering garden

Last September we went to Germany and Italy for a month. During the time we were away I had asked my son to water the garden for me. AS he lived some 30 miles away he could not come every day. Now September 2020 was a very warm and dry months and a consequence we lost a lot of expensive plants particularly those in pots.

We intended to visit Croatia this year for 2 months, but Covid put a stop to that however we still intend to caravan in the Uk and have planned a 3 week holiday in August/September. And next year hope to re-visit Croatia

How to stop my plants from dying when we are away, my solution

1 st Purchased a Smart WIFI plug from eBay. Second purchased this from the net 1/2 male Water Solenoid Valve 0.2-10 Bar N/Closed 5115BC,   then from eBay    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25M-40M-Automatic-Drip-Irrigation-System-Kit-Plant-Self-Watering-Garden-Hose-UK-/203349420335?var=&hash=item2f5891e92f

On the pipe work to the outside tap, I fitted the solenoid valve. Connected the power via the smart WIFI plug,. With the self-watering system fitted it to all the pots. I downloaded the app for which ever smart plug you buy, and from my phone I can turn on the water whenever I want also turn it off when finished. Use this most evening from home as the tap is at the other end of the house. Can also turn it on/off when I am away so hopefully no more dead plants.

Being a plumber, I left my existing outside tap and put another pipe outside so I can still use the existing tap in needed.

Comments

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited June 2021 #2

    Use a similar setup, but wouldn’t risk leaving mains water supply connected while away, especially with a water meter fitted - Wessex Water would bankrupt me if something went wrong! My solution is a submersible pump inside a 210l water butt which is in turn connected to another 210l water butt (connect outlet pipes together). The pump is controlled by a smart plug for timed watering or remote operation via App as necessary. So far, the butts have maintained sufficient water during dry periods.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2021 #3

    I have a similar set up too but made it up myself from a solenoid operated valve from work (similar to the water feed inside a washing machine) and various lengths of 6mm air line. It's used mainly to water any hanging baskets I have and any other pots get collected together under the hanging basket at the back of the house. The solenoid is simply powered by a cheap timer which turns on for a few mins each morning & each evening.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,039 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2021 #4

    I gave up water thirsty planting years ago, so tend to have not a lot in pots, and no hanging baskets, as we used to go away for long periods. Nowadays I put plants that don’t mind it dry in big pots in sunny areas, these are moved into more shade when we go away. It’s seedlings in the greenhouse that suffer most. We normally have someone in house when away, but they don’t always get the watering right. Interesting about the more high tech solutions though👍

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited June 2021 #5

    ED

         That is the mind set of an ex Tiff who just doesn't wear the suit anymore. wink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2021 #6

    laughinglaughinglaughinglaughing

    I thank you  ..... kiss

    It's been a very long time since I wore the suit wink

    Top row ... 3rd from the left embarassed

    https://thefisgardassociation.org/images/nostalgia/class/class_set3/class_set3_793/class_set3_793_fisg/04_fisgard_793_lane_1_new_entry_79.jpg

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2021 #7

    Farmhouse, I simply pay someone to water greenhouse and potted plants. For good measure she checks the house and contents too. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2021 #8

    To avoid dead plants I use live people to come in and water them...wink and this is quite a good sytem too.

  • Graydjames
    Graydjames Forum Participant Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited June 2021 #9

    You have a very kind, loyal and dedicated son if he is content to do a round trip of 60 miles for the sole purpose of watering your plants. I think he deserves a medal.smile  

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited June 2021 #10

    Nice one.................it has stood you in good stead then. Good days but cost me through loss of earnings.......great mates even to this day. I take it was HMS Raleigh mine was Ganges.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2021 #11

     ...  I take it was HMS Raleigh

    😮 How very dare you 😉😉 The clue was in the title of the link .... I was across the road at HMS Fisgard 😉 which is now an industrial estate, though you can still some of the accommodation blocks 

     

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,588 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2021 #12

    We adopted a very elderly lady who wanted looking after, Wife's Mother.

    If she remembers to water said plants it's a bonus. If not then house has been occupied and any major problems given to good neighbours to sort out. Seems to work well for us.laughing

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited June 2021 #13

    yellSorry

  • Lyke Wake Man
    Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
    edited July 2021 #14

    We have a dozen or more water buts all linked together, which we use for the garden, toilet and power washer, when we go away we set up hoses and sprinklers and  time switches for the 2 water but pumps, so each evening the pumps come on and water the fruit cage and greenhouses

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited July 2021 #15

    We used soaker hose around the garden veg plot and similar arrangement in greehouse Both systems were connected to 419 lt barrels and set on timers. 

    Our trips away are generally only 10 days a time but very frequent when schools are closed. 

    The allotment we soak before leaving and hope it rains at home!

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited August 2021 #16

    Recently went on UK tour up north and laughed whilst we had sun and down south it was raining most of the time

     Got home and burst into tears when we saw the growth that the garden had made.

    Still cutting back furiously 4 weeks later!

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