gallon jugs next to plants

[guruofgardens]

I thought I'd like to try something new since we're going to be away for 2 weeks and I don't know if I can depend on another person to water 'the way I do'. I've been collecting heavy plastic juice jugs, will poke holes in the bottom, and am planning on using them to help with watering/fertilizing throughout the summer.

My question is this - I'm planning on filling the jugs with shredded leaves and year old llama poop, and fill the jugs with water, but don't know how much of each to add. Does this sound feasible or am I dreaming? Or is there any other material I should add without spending too much money?

[mtbigfish]

I wouldn't worry about fertilizer just water

you can fertilze when you get back - once they are ready to go into the ground - I only do it at transplant and when blossums appear - 2 times during season with Dr Earth or similar - seedlings only get in initial wetting of seed mix and when go into 3-4" pots - fish and kelp diluted solution

[kimpossible]

My initial thought is that the leaves, manure, etc. might potentially clog the holes that you have punched into the jugs. If I were doing this, I would add the top-dressing/organic material in a circle around the base of the plant (a few inches away from the stem; definitely not touching it), and let the water from the jugs percolate through the top-dressing. I think the holes would have to be pretty tiny, or the water wouldn't last very long. Just my opinion ....

[cottonpicker]

I agree with Kimpossible..... leaves, etc. WILL clog the holes & prevent water from flowing. I also think one small hole will be enough. More holes & the water will flow too quickly. Also...seems to me that the hole should NOT be punched in the bottom which will probably be clogged by dirt (mud). The hole should be a short distance up fro the bottom ..quarter inch?...and located on a side. Just my thoughts.....
GOOD luck!
LarryD

[mtbigfish]

yeah that's what I meant by not worrying about fertilizer and agree - if you are administering via watering then it should be liquid to pass through

[guruofgardens]

OK - I'm convinced. I won't be using any matter in the bottles that may clog the water from trickling out. Since we're going to be gone when the plants have been in the ground at least 6 weeks, I'm not too worried about burning them. I do like the 'ring of fire' nutrients idea around the plants and will add compost along with the usual leaves - though maybe 6" away from the plant itself. I usually fertilize with diluted liquid kelp every Friday (FF) so maybe this would work in the bottles. I guess I'll have to experiment with the size of the holes for the rate of transfer.

The plants themselves will be about 4' apart, so I'm guessing I'd need at least 3-4 bottles per plant (?). I'm just hoping they'll get watered twice a week if the weather gets hot.

Thanks for the suggestions.