Deep root watering

I am going to try to control the water to my tomatoes by Deep root watering spikes.

Maybe this will help control the early blight I have been fighting this spring. And the over watering in my upside down tomatoes.Caused by all the rain we have had.

I have placed them around some of the ones on the ground.

See the withered leaves are from to much water then not enough.

tomatoes need about 1 inch of water per week 3-5 gallons of water per plant. With the the summer heat , they need 11/2 to 2 inches per week. If the roots are shallow the plant will likely dry out faster (causing wilting). Watering once every 2-3 days is a good idea. By using a stick to check the depth 8-12 inches deep is about right where the water should reach.

But there is hope. I have my first tomatoes started

An over view of todays garden.

Self watering container

I bough 1 10 foot length of 1/2 inch pvc water pipe 2 elbows and 2 caps .
This was enough to work with 1 50 gallon drum cut in half. To make 2 containers.

The lengths were cut to allow for the cap & elbow to be added. I got hubby to drill holes through about ever 1/2 inch. This way water would flow out both sides evenly. It was placed in the drum with the holes to the sided.

Sand was then placed around the perimeter.Allowing the dirt to make contact in the middle.
1 gallon of composted manure was placed in first then topper with potting organic potting soil. I also place a empty juice container in the side to make it easer to see if there is water in there. I also can add water to the juice container. I planter 1 tomato in the center and 5 asparagus plants around the perimeter, They are in red circles on photo. Yellow is the top of container. Next year I will add more soil for the asparagus to grow taller.
I drilled drain holes around the side above the soil line to let excess water out.

Click here to see more on of how this works

Here is an updated photo. The potatoes are way bigger in the red tub. I wonder if it is the red color. As they are saying now to use red plastic under the tomato plants for better health. As you see the top right are 2 other potatoes plants in the top soil bags. I started them all at the same time, and transplanted one to the red container. Where it took off in growth. Soon I will add more soil to all of them.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Lunar garden update1

Today is another wet rainy day. Garden prep is behind. I can not do much by my self any more. So far I have 10 tomato plants transplanted in the garden under soda bottles. They are doing great. 2 out of 3 red potatoes planted in the top soil bags are doing great. 1 seems to be frost bit. I should have put them under bottles too. Mistake #1.

^Before fence^

Yesterday I managed to put up 3 cattle panels used to both fence in and support plants. I will have tomatoes on2 sides and melons and cukes on another side.

After fence photo

The seed inside is doing great. This is the first time I have succeeded at growing tomatoes from seed.


The plants in the center are cabbage fdr they are leggy and I have no clue if they will successfully make a good plant. The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.