OT - growing outdoor cucumbers, advice needed

[Tursiops2]

Apologies for going OT, but I'm sure somebody here will be able to advise me.

I'm not an experienced gardener, and I only have a small backyard with a few square metres of lawn and a conveniently south-facing fence. For the last couple of years, I've been growing a range of salad veg in plastic troughs, hung from the fence to keep the local moggies off, with some success. Last year, however, I grew a courgette and a cucumber in one trough. I watered them conscientiously through the summer, except for a few days in August when I had to go away, leaving them to the tender mercies of my housemates.
Big mistake.

The courgettes survived, but I lost most of the cukes. I'm having another go this year, and I want to avoid a repeat disaster by rigging up some sort of automatic watering system (something involving 2l plastic bottles would be good). I'm not practically-minded though, so anybody kind enough to provide me with an Idiot's Guide to same (or a helpful link) will earn my boundless, unalloyed and eternal gratitude .

Thanks in advance
Tursiops2

[brainfarmer]

im no expert on this but a large 2 litre upturned pop bottle might work. basically fill a large pop bottle or 2 with water put the top back on then pierce the top with a small hole then stick the bottle in the compost so it slowly drains into the compost. it doesnt want to be a large hole really the smaller u can make the hole the better gravity and water flow will take care of the rest. hope that helps.

[Tursiops2]

Cheers brainfarmer, but somehow I don't think it's going to be that simple. Just up-ending a pop bottle and inserting it into the compost strikes me as a bit unstable - a gust of wind or stray moggy could bring the whole lot down, with regrettable consequences.

Maybe I'm answering my own question (I tend to do that), but somewhere in the murky depths of the sump that is my mind, I vaguely recall seeing/reading about an arrangement of bottle and plastic tube pierced with holes that replicates the conventional "leaky-pipe" system, which would suit my circumstances. If that's feasible, my questions would be: what sort of tube do I need and where do I get it? How big do the holes need to be, how many, and how should I stop-up the end of the tube? How do I insert the tube into the bottle top, and secure it, without creating a leak around the join? How should I secure the bottle to a support e.g. fence post in such a way that it can be easily removed for re-filling, but not easily dislodged?

Apologies if I'm over-complicating a simple matter (I do that as well, especially when I've only had a couple hours sleep) but I can't afford to mess about experimenting. I want to get it right first time.

Cheers
T2

[Kymba]

Saw this advertised on TV, Don't know if it would be of any use to you

UKTV Gardens: Grow Your Own: About Grow Your Own

[Kymba]

Found this in my gardening book

Watering Tips
To aid watering, pierce a small hole in the bottom of a plastic lemonade bottle and sink it in the soil beside thirsty plants such as tomatoes Fill it with water and top up as necessary. This will ensure the water is directed towards the roots where it is most needed rather than simply wetting the surface. Small banks of soil built around plants will also help to send water in the right direction.

[Kayleigh]

Watering Systems

Are you going away for more than a week? I have just installed a whole watering system from the link. It just a hose with a timer that comes on twice a day. I water my hole greenhouse with this but you can make a simpler one. They also do starter kits. Mine goes all around the garden.

you can get a soaker hose fitted to a hose connector. Or use water retaining gel sold at all garden centres. You can also get a small tank or use a water but and fit a pipe onto it to capillary out.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Kymba

Found this in my gardening book

Watering Tips
To aid watering, pierce a small hole in the bottom of a plastic lemonade bottle and sink it in the soil beside thirsty plants such as tomatoes Fill it with water and top up as necessary. This will ensure the water is directed towards the roots where it is most needed rather than simply wetting the surface. Small banks of soil built around plants will also help to send water in the right direction.

That makes sense, Kymba - a lot of sense, and a lot simpler than the Heath-Robinson affair that was taking shape in my distracted mind (bottles the right way up - duh! ). I'll try that on the Toms as well. Many thanks .
(note to self: must get a tundish - and maybe a gardening book)

Kayleigh - Nice thought, but too elaborate for my humble plot. Useful link though, thanks.

T2

[brainfarmer]

well the secret is to make the watering system as good as u can. im sure u can invest in kit that costs a few thousand pounds that will deliver what u want but u didnt ask that.

[Kymba]

Tursiops2 let us Know what you decide to do and if and how well it works

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Kymba

Tursiops2 let us Know what you decide to do and if and how well it works

Will do. Expect an update sometime in August

T2