Help! Need self-watering tips for pot plants

We are going on vacation this summer and I need tips on how to keep my outside pot plants watered and alive while we are gone. A neighbor is going to come over and feed the cats. I have a lot of pot plants and I hate to impose on her to water them unless I have to. If we can get the timer (that thinks it is smarter than we are) to work the flower beds will be taken care of.

I was thinking of putting pea gravel in plastic containers, without drain holes, put plastic screening over the container (for mosquito control) filling it with water and setting the plants on top. There would only be enough water for the plants to use in a timely manner and not sit in water. Then she could fill the water up as needed. One of the draw-backs would be if had rain. I do no have a sheltered spot to put the plants.

Does anyone have a better idea or have used a better idea. I was thinking of using cotton rope as a wick. Stick the rope in a jug of water and put the rop around the plant, but I can't find any cotton rope.

txflowerlady

Think about a real irrigation system. You can set one up for very little.

You can buy some of the items you need from Dripworks USA --I will find the link.

Here is what you need
1. a length of old garden hose. Cheaper the better --you'll punch small holes in it. length needed depends on your plant pattern, since it should come within about three feet of each plant you need to water, and have an end cap (cost: nothing)
2. ¼" Polyethylene Micro Tubing (cost for 100 feet: $6, allow 3 ft per plant)
3. one ¼" Transfer Barb and one Dripper per plant --size of dripper needed varies with plant size, they come in 1/4 gal per hour, 1/2 gal per hour and 1 gal per hour. (cost $0.15 + $0.30 per plant)
4. a "Yellow Handle Punch" to make your holes (cost $5.40 --you can get by with a very sharp 1/8th inch drill bit, or heat a 1/16th inch nail with a lighter)
5. an Orbit Lawn & Garden Mechanical Hose Faucet Timer #62018 (cost $15 or less on amazon . com)
6. some "goof plugs"

Lay out your hose, put on the end cap. Put the timer on your spigot and attach the hose to the timer.

Make a hole in the hose convenient to each plant. Cut a suitable length of 1/4 inch tubing, to reach easily between the hose and the plant --be generous.

Stick a Dripper into one end of each piece of tubing, and a transfer barb into the other, and insert the barb into a hole in the hose. The dripper end goes into the plant, secured by a piece of wire if necessary.

Turn the spigot on, test the timer. You may have small leaks, OK, but repair or "goof plug" any big ones.

Now you have a system that will allow your friend simply to twist the timer to water all plants for a certain time, as many times a day as you think is necessary. You will get very efficient use of the water if you apply it several times a day for relatively short periods.

www.dripworksusa.com

You could consider 'wicking' each pot. I have done this many times:

Cotton cording or an old sheet, torn into strips.

Dowel rod to poke holes in the soil.

Buckets to sit beside the pots - those gallon ice cream buckets work well. You can even put the lids back on the buckets to keep the water from evaporating - just cut holes in the lids.

Tear the sheet into 2" wide strips, and about 2 feet long.

Make a hole in the soil to the bottom of the pot.

Use the dowel rod to poke the 'wick' into the soil, leaving the rest to extend into the bucket of water. I even add a weak solution of fertilizer to the water.

Ask your neighbor to make sure the buckets don't run out of water. The plants will take up the water they need.

JPlunket,
Thanks for your suggestion and website link. I have considered putting drippers in my pots, but since my pot plants are all over the place it would not be feasible at this time.

KayJones,
Thanks for your suggestion and instructions. Do you use cotton sheets or polyester sheets? How many strips per pot do you use?

I thought I would use old blue jeans because, that is what I have on hand. I will let you know how it works.

Later,
txflowerlady

One strip per pot should do it and denim should work ok - I'd try it on a pot of soil first - that will let you know how big a water container you will need for the length of time you will be gone. Polyester WILL NOT absorb water well.

Mary, the wick needs to go about 2" into the soil, from the top OR bottom.

Great! Thanks Kay.