Watering Shrubs and Trees

Question

This morning I was listening to the Walter Reeves garden program on the radio.  He was talking about something I've never heard of.  I think they are called Gator Bags.  It's a bag that you put around trees, shrubs, etc.  They hold about 20 gallons and slowly release the water.

I started looking online and found the bags but also found something shaped like an inflatable doughnut looking thing that a child would wear in a swimming pool.

Being the excruciatingly cheap person that I am, I'm wondering if the actual inflatable doughnut looking thing would work.  Maybe poke a few holes and put it around a tree?  I haven't quite figured out how to easily get the water in but I'll figure something out.  Any other ideas about watering would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Lori J · Answer

I have soaker hoses on my trees. They are round and black, and do not spray at all. Everything is a trickle.  They were not expensive. Personally, I think the frustration and swearing that would be involved with trying to get water in a pool toy would not offset the cost.

My dad used these root feeders with jar for fertilizer spikes--when he watered he just didn't put anything in the jars.Those worked well and I hadn't seen one in years until just recently--there they were at nursery.

Walter Reeves · Answer

I think you could get the same watering results by drilling a 1/8' hole at the lowest point on the side of a discarded 5 gallon plastic bucket. Place beside a new tree and fill with water as needed.
The hole will occasionally get clogged but it's easy to clear. Move to the opposite side of the tree occasionally.

Challenge: who can think of a way to decorate the bucket so it doesn't stand out so much in the landscape?

Kay R · Answer

Lori, you're probably right - I'd probably even come up with some new words!  I hadn't even thought of a soaker hose but that's a great idea.  And with the 5 gallon bucket I could just set it up and forget it.

I have a large area I call my 'shade garden' and it's got lots of camellias, sasanqua and gardenias.  I'm having to water every day and they still look distressed.  What we need is a good long soaking rain - and also for the temp to go down!

Thanks!

Lori J · Answer

It has been the same way here in Nebraska. We have had day after day of pushing or passing 100 degrees with very little rain. I could say no rain up until two days ago when we had just some light rain. I am bucket watering my hostas one at a time, and using soaker hoses around my trees.

Kay R · Answer

I had no idea it got that hot in Nebraska!  We've had record breaking heat the last few days and yesterday it was officially 109 in Athens.  Does anybody know a good rain dance?

I'm using a soaker hose and also the bucket method.  I definitely have to paint them - really ugly blue ones from Walmart with the Walmart logo on the side.  :(

Watering Shrubs and Trees

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Watering Shrubs and Trees

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