Automatically Water Plants & Flowers While on Vacation!

Porch Daydreamer
by Porch Daydreamer
2 Materials
$100
1 Day
Easy
Are you tired of constantly having to water your plants and flowers and can't keep them alive. Do your plants die from lack of water while you are on vacation?

I've found a great solution that waters everything automatically using drip irrigation and my water bill hasn't changed!

For more detailed instructions and product recommendations please visit the original article linked at the end!
Step 1: Create a watering "map" of everything you want to automatically water either potted plants, hanging plants or the landscaping.


The watering kit waters up to 8 pots, after that you need to visit my website for additional instructions.


Below are instructions for POTTED PLANTS ONLY with a kit. Visit my website for the hanging pot installation.


Tube couplers. Get familiar with the different types of 1/4 inch tube couplers. They connect either 2 or 3 lines.
Step 2: Attach Y-Connector to the exterior faucet. On one side attach your hose (optional) and one side a watering timer.
Step 3: Thread the back flow valve on to the timer and connect the 1/4 inch tube roll to the back flow valve.
Step 4: Cut 1/4 inch tube at base of pot, attach a T-connector to end


Step 5: Cut a short length of 1/4 inch tube attach it to T-connector and run up into pot
Step 6: Attach 1/4 inch tube to watering stake
Twist off and save the coupler from the stake to use later.
Step 7: Place watering stake in center of pot. Twist the top to open for water flow.


Step 8: Connect remaining 1/4 inch tubing and run to the next pot using the same method and a T-Coupler or Coupler connector until complete!
Watering instructions: Please visit www.misterlandscaper.com for professional advice.


My home is in the south and this is my watering schedule for all 11 locations: landscaping, pots on the ground, and hanging ferns.


In late spring to early summer, before it reaches 85F, I water everything for 4 minutes every other day at 7am.


Once the days are longer and the temperature is above 85F, I move to an every day schedule but for the same for 4 minutes at 7am.
To learn how to install drip irrigation to hanging plants - even on the 2nd story, please follow the link to my website at the end of this article.


Now, enjoy some free time and extra sleep, while your potted plants get watered automatically!
Suggested materials:
  • Potted plan watering Kit   (Amazon)
  • 1/4 inch vinyl tubing   (Amazon)
Porch Daydreamer
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Aug 22, 2017

    @Porchdaydreamer

    The "Ask a Question" section is not working. I'm wondering how it is affected by natural rain? We had a lot of rain this summer. Would you turn it off or keep it going. Did that produce areas with too much water?

  • Shirley Shirley on Aug 22, 2017

    I love this idea but wonder if it will work in the hot Texas summers?

  • Yvonne Yvonne on Aug 22, 2017

    Wonder if this would work with a rain barrel? That's what I use on my plants/garden!

Comments
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4 of 19 comments
  • Diane Kidd Diane Kidd on Aug 27, 2017

    I have had 3 systems for over 10 years, watering about 20 container, 3 window boxes and a drip line through the perennial garden. Now I have the feeder attachment that goes between the timer and faucet I insert my favorite plant food periodically. The systems run a for about 5 minutes every day except when the rain sensor tells it not to. In the Spring, I plant the pots and adjust the heads to fit the needs of the flowers in each container. About 3 times a week I deadhead and check to see that the flowers are getting the amount of water they need No watering to worry about when I'm home or away. In the evenings, I sit back, have a glass of wine and enjoy the beauty.

    • See 1 previous
    • Diane Kidd Diane Kidd on Aug 27, 2017
      Porch Daydreamer, That is why I have 3 systems. The first one originates on at deck faucet and waters the deck and shade garden, the second one is on the downstairs porch and takes care of the drip line in the perennial garden and the porch pots. I added a third one last year that waters the window boxes and front porch ferns. Like your situation the front was just too far away to have enough water pressure to do everything. A little more expensive but it is totally worth. My friends think I work full time in the garden to have such fabulous flowers......Actually I'm just a Lazy Gardener!
  • Bus27239475 Bus27239475 on Sep 03, 2017

    These systems are great. I set up one for my porch rail planters many years ago.Setting the timer for 4 minutes is a good idea i think because it wont over water the plants and planters and drip out on to the rails and porch. There's the problem, excessive watering . Mine ,I set for 15 minutes every other day. The water driped out and on to rails and porch and then after about ten years the porch and rails rotted out. Yes, we painted every year but they rotted anyway. This was a summer home and no one was there most of the time . I doubt there would be a problem with a week or two of automatic water and if someone could blow off excess standing water if it was occupied all the time.

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