Water timer makes your hanging plants live well

Hanging plants are a challenge to water, especially if they are high or scattered across the garden and patio. To save yourself the trouble of having to lug buckets and watering cans or drag long stretches of garden hose to keep your hanging plants hydrated, consider installing an automatic watering system that will take care of the chore for you. The one-time installation will make sure all your hard-to-reach plants are regularly and adequately watered without fail. 


It's not difficult to set up!


Go with Yi Zuo's professional water timer

~Things You'll Need~

Measuring tape

Backflow preventer

1" Polyethylene tubing

1/4" Polyethylene micro tubing

Drip irrigation connectors

Hose connectors and end cap

Emitters

Water timer

Twist ties

~Step by Step~

1

Sketch the layout of the watering system. Draw the locations of the hanging plants relative to the water source.

2

Measure the distance between the water source and the farthest hanging plant to determine how long your main line (the 1-inch poly tubing) should be. Measure the heights of the hanging plants to determine the total length of the feeder lines (the 1/4-inch poly micro tubing) you will need. Depending on the locations of the plants, tap one feeder line to the main line and use it to water one hanging basket or branch out one feeder line to water several hanging plants at once.

3

Assemble the water system. Lay out the main line, attach the micro tubing lines to the main line, attach connectors to the micro tubing if branching out, then attach the emitters to the ends of the micro tubing. Attach hose connectors and end cap to the main line as needed.

4

Secure micro tubing feeder lines to the hanging baskets. Gravity and water pressure will eventually dislodge the emitters and micro tubing from the hanging baskets; twist ties will keep the tubing in place.

5

Connect the irrigation system to the water source. Attach the backflow preventer to the main line to ensure that water from the irrigation system does not flow back into the tap. Connect the water timer to the faucet to control the delivery of the water. Then attach the backflow preventer to the timer.

6

Test the water system. Turn the water on and check all the connectors and junctions for any leaks. Check the emitters for proper placement and effective watering, and take note if the water pressure is sufficient.

7

Set the timer. Choose the frequency and duration of the watering; the schedule should be adequate for all the hanging plants.

8

Check the water system regularly for clogged emitters, leaks and other maintenance issues.

Read more: How to Build a Water System for Hanging Plants | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5833858_build-water-system-hanging-plants.html#ixzz1UWYtIWhC