Watering Plant Roots http://www.durgan.org/URL/?WandW 28 May 2009 Watering Plant Roots. This method gets water to the root area of the plants. The hydraulic effect of the water makes pushing the wand into the ground effortless. The device is made by cutting off the end of a typical water garden wand as sold in most hardware stores.
Durgan, I have got to try this. This method eliminates the need for daily watering. I see this deep watering tool keeping the soil moist for 3-4 days. How frequent for you to redo this? I remember last year you had better breakdown of making this, can you re-establish the link?
I dig down to the roots area and decide if a deep watering is required. It only takes a bit of time, and I feel comfortable with the results after completing the watering process. Any top watering is incapable of getting more than an inch or so of water depth, which is a waste of time and water except when most plants are very young. http://www.durgan.org/URL/?Watering Watering using the city supply can be a hassle. Normal spraying methods usually only wets the surface plus the evaporation wastes water. The device depicted is a normal hand held spray nozzle available in all hardware stores. The spray device is removed and the pipe is reversed and attached to the hose. This makes holding the device relatively comfortable. The pipe is inserted along a row of plants at probably one foot intervals and the water actually gets to the roots without waste of water. Using this method the time taken is about equivalent to spraying and more effective. The hydraulic effect of the stream makes inserting the pipe into the ground effortless.
Durgan, I purchased a wand, cut the end off the nozzle side, then hooked up to a hose. Wow! It is a HUGE difference compared to using the hose over and over, letting the water soak down. I still did not get the deep result of this. This method that you showed works awesome. It took less time to get the water deep into the soil than I did with the hose. I am very happy. I will be watching, noting, and learning to do this better too.
Excellent extension of sort of what I do just with the hose. This would be a really good pot waterer too. The water pressure could be quiet low and a couple of prods would do the trick. Thankyou I will also give it a go. Liz
Curious how you know when to stop with each hole around the tree? Do you count to.......? I plan to use a 5 gallon bucket and to see how quickly it fills. Then I will use that as my counting method. How frequent with the trees for you?
With trees I just guess, and usually keep just at the edge where I assume the roots are growing, in an attempt to dampen the whole underground area. I sort of count to some pre-determined number to determine the amount of water injected. With garden plants, I just move up the row at about foot intervals and work the pipe underground until I imagine the roots get some moisture. Sometime I do both sides of the row. It sure beats top, sprinkler watering, particularly after checking to see how far the sprinkled water has penetrated. Unless the sprinkler watering time is many hours almost no useful penetration takers place, depending a bit on the type of soil. Most people are blessed or cursed with some type of clay which is well sealed in most cases.
Durgan, I agree with the deception of thinking overhead watering with a hose would penetrate deep down. You would have to do a soaker for hours a day every other day probably in order to be successful. By the looks of your plants success, this deep water penetration truly helps those roots building depth, which in turn help the plant to flourish more rapidly with more production too. I am now convinced to do it this way. I need to fine tune the practice. I will likely do the overhead on early spring productions though. Makes sense until roots and plants develop a little. I value your contribution. Thanks.
Agree, about when the plants are small or the seeds are just planted. Usually, I place a board along the row and water often enough to keep the seeds damp using a water can in most cases.
