Greenhouse Automatic Watering

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds, Oct 6, 2015.

  1. MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds

    MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds Gardener

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    not quite the right season, but wanted to share this very simple way of automatically watering a Greenhouse while on holiday etc.

    My system of using a neighbour last season wasn't very successful and I've no money, so I've spent a tenner on a 'timer' type thing to switch the water supply on & off [from a well known auction site] and the rest you can see in the photos here.

    The sprinkler's tied down with cable ties and its fed from my garden tap using a regular hose line.

    For those with cash to splash, its a bit basic; for Paupers like me, perfect !!
     

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    • alexmac

      alexmac Gardener

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      Looks Like a man made disaster
      This has to be a windup, the daftest thing I have seen in years, I do not know why I am bothering to reply. Please tell me this is a wind up
      Alex
       
    • MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds

      MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds Gardener

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      No, its not a wind up Alex.
      My intention is to encourage others, whom perhaps like me have plenty of time, but precious little cash; to involve themselves in Greenhouse gardening.

      Its not necessary for a solution to a situation to be ‘elegant’, it merely has to ‘work’.

      I hope that somebody reads and instead of thinking …
      “I can’t get a Greenhouse coz I like to go on holiday in the summer and all of the plants will die. There’s nobody to water the plants I’ve spent lots of time nurturing and I can’t afford a fancy irrigation system”

      …they think, yeah; I can do something like that too. I’ve got a hosepipe, a sprinkler and some basic tools.

      Lets encourage people to post here, and to enjoy a hobby (any hobby) that requires little investment of money; but lots of time.

      Everybody’s opinion is their right, just as yours and mine appear to be quite different from one another, its what makes the world interesting; but lets not use our opinions to the detriment of others. That’s not the purpose of a friendly Forum.


      Some facts, for those of you, like me whom are time rich, money poor. What you can do.
      Cost of my Greenhouse, derelict : £20 (I've seen better ones sell for less since on a well known auction site]

      Cost of numerous replacement panes of glass £2 diesel to collect them from a Freegler

      My most expensive possession: a 1995, 230,000mile estate car, approx value £300

      Value of learning to cut glass, maintain the car, enjoy all sorts of DIY, grow plants; enjoy home grown fruits and produce… priceless!!

      We also go on holiday for the cost of the diesel alone, 47mpg average = 97miles to £10, sleeping comfortably in the car: others laugh at that too, but my partner and I enjoy it and I recently calculated that in the 5 years and 45,000 miles I've owned it, its purchase, maintenance and depreciation has cost me £825. I recommend that, too ! :)

      NB: I could've done a prettier job with the sprinkler system, but 'prettiness' simply isn't necessary in this application.
       
    • Beckie76

      Beckie76 Total Gardener

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      Hello @MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds
      How were your crops? Did the water system keep everything alive whilst you were on holiday?
       
    • MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds

      MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds Gardener

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      a bit disappointing Beckie. A combination of my fledgling gardening skills, doing other things; and a full 10 day stint while we were away in summer when a neighbour entrusted to doing the watering chose not to bother.

      The watering system was set up as a 'test' for the coming season, before I decided whether to continue with the Greenhouse or turn it into a shed / sell it

      However, its not all doom & gloom: we've had varying sizes of crops of Carrots, Spuds, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Cucumbers, Butternut Squash, Sunflowers, Marigolds and Cucumber. ...from pleasing to "well at least there's one!"

      I'm going to see if I can find a post from you about your own successes now
       
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      • Beckie76

        Beckie76 Total Gardener

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        Yes it's tricky when you have to ask others for help, somehow they don't always do as you would do! I have lots of experience with asking people to water & them not doing a good job!
        Sounds to me like you are the same as me some food crops & some not so good. I think the weather has been most to blame, it was very cold early season & we've had some quite chilly nights.....but all is not lost there's always next year, I say keep that greenhouse & try again! My tomatoes are slowly turning from green to red in the kitchen!!! :whistle:
        Perhaps next year we need to help each other a bit more & see if we can get some better crops. :blue thumb:
         
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        • Cannyfullpots

          Cannyfullpots Gardener

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          I cant understand why you think this would be a man made disaster?
          I love to see how people 'rig' up ideas for pennies! I myself am a self confessed "if its free I'll find a use & if its cheap I'll find a use"

          I have a 10 pole allotment & I am turning it around from using recycled stuff - think I've spent about £20 & thats on bits like canes & pellets.

          I dont have any money either & love being creative. So from me - well done @MostlyVegsSouthCotswolds keep posting your ideas:blue thumb:
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            I've used a similar set up recently for holiday watering, only it was outside not in a greenhouse. I think a sprinkler used in a greenhouse may result in too much humidity, certainly for my tomatoes. So I use a dripper system for holiday watering in the greenhouse, it's on a timer. For an even cheaper solution use one of those leaky hoses to target the water more effectively at the roots. I've got one from the pound shop, 6 metres for £1 :)
             
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            • CanadianLori

              CanadianLori Total Gardener

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              I see lots of mildew in your future. A timer is a lovely idea but you might best wait until you've saved enough to buy a low flow watering system to go with it. Something like this, or perhaps a drip system that you just leave on while away.

              http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=49688&cat=2,44663,71829

              or as John says, those soaker hoses work well too.

              I have a couple of small hobby greenhouses and lots of accessories and toys to go with them. You'd probably be horrified if you knew how much I've spent on my toys - but each to their own! :biggrin:
               
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                Last edited: Oct 9, 2015
              • alexmac

                alexmac Gardener

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                The worst way of watering in a greenhouse is spraying water indiscriminately which would lead to sunscald at best, but far more importantly would be the fungal disease it would promote. A leaky hose at plant base is cheaper and far better. not to mention the shock of cold tap water.
                Alex
                 
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                • Cannyfullpots

                  Cannyfullpots Gardener

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                  Right, so instead of just shaking your head in disbelief at the original post, why didn't you say that to the poster?

                  Alot more helpful in the long run & informative for those of us that don't know!
                   
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                  • CanadianLori

                    CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                    Was just thinking about your set up.

                    I use dollar store boot trays around my greenhouse floor and sit my pots in them to catch runoff. If you were to do the reverse, using trays or a trough for your plants perhaps you could use yor hose and timer to feed the trays and bottom water?

                    I have used solar panels to operate pumps. Sun comes out, ou p starts up and if there was a valve on a timer, voila. Plants get watered when the sun shines too.
                     
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                    • Jimcub

                      Jimcub Gardener

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                        Last edited: Oct 9, 2015
                      • alexmac

                        alexmac Gardener

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                        because it was so heath robinson I honestly thought it was a wind up
                        alex
                         
                      • Jimcub

                        Jimcub Gardener

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                        You should see some of my set ups.
                        If you want to move a 6x4 shed then consult the Egyptians, I used their methods wet wood runners and a good lever to drop off a 2 ft ledge and 2 90deg bends.
                         
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