From the category archives:

Printed Media

Every morning, I water our potted plants for 3 minutes. Here is how!

If you can’t see the video, click here!

My supply list! All purchased from Home Depot.

1 - Timer

100′ 1/4 inch clear tubing

7 each – 1/4″ plastic push on fittings (T’s and straight connectors)

1 – roll of 1/4″ copper tubing

1 – Box of Insulated wire staples

1 – Transition from male hose end to 1/4″ clear pipe (From timer to tubing)

Assembly: Now this is the crafty bit, here are a few steps.

1. Run all of your plastic line to proper locations first.

2. Premake all copper fittings.  I used a 1/16 drill bit to drill holes. Crimp one end of tube completely shut.

3. Install all copper fittings but leave them loose.

4. Turn on water and adjust amount of water to each head. (Using the cutting part of my linesmans pliers, I crimp the tube before my drilled holes to slow the water flow.  Don’t cut the tubing, just slowly crimp.  The goal is to get water evenly spread across all fittings.)

That’s it.  Now if you don’t think you have the skill to craft those fittings, check out Rainbirds Kit.  Much better engineering than my system, but not quite as fun.

Update: 8-24-09

Here is a picture of the plants without any handwatering through the heat of the summer.

side-porch-plants

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