I decided to throw this out there and see if anyone has any ideas. With our property being large and oddly shaped, there is not any easy way to get the water to the spots that need them, namely the fruit trees and eventually, the flowering, decorative trees and bushes. Things close to the house will be fine, we have hoses and faucets and can reach them. But further away and along the driveway, I need a way to carry larger amounts of water to those plants.
This weekend, since we didn't get any rain out there, I needed to water and it's just such a pain to walk around with buckets and then back to the faucet to fill up and then out to some trees and then back to the faucet, well, you get the picture. On the upside, I'm getting some great forearm strength, LOL, but it's more about time savings for me. I don't mind being hot, I just want to have more time to do everything and not spend two hours watering by hand.
This weekend, since we didn't get any rain out there, I needed to water and it's just such a pain to walk around with buckets and then back to the faucet to fill up and then out to some trees and then back to the faucet, well, you get the picture. On the upside, I'm getting some great forearm strength, LOL, but it's more about time savings for me. I don't mind being hot, I just want to have more time to do everything and not spend two hours watering by hand.
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| John Deere 10P cart |
I have this awesome cart that I can tow behind my zen machine. Every time I look at it, I think there must be some way to use it to carry water around the property. It has a hauling capacity of 600lbs (which is about 70 gallons). I've filled watering containers and carried them around but that still doesn't carry as much as I need, plus I have to stop at every tree, get off the mower and water and get back on and start it back up. I even tried using some water that was in it after a rain storm but all it did was slosh out over the bumpy yard.
John Deere DOES make a tow behind sprayer tank device but the dang thing is $400-$500. Um, no thanks, we could buy a bunch of trees with that money!
John Deere DOES make a tow behind sprayer tank device but the dang thing is $400-$500. Um, no thanks, we could buy a bunch of trees with that money!
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| Towable John Deere Utility Cart |
In my mind, I envision a large tank or something like it, that I can just put inside the cart, with maybe a spigot or hose on it. Then I can fill it up, ride up to a tree or plant and spray water on it just like it was attached to a faucet.
We're about to enter the (usually) wet season in the Fall and we only have another month of super hot weather, so I have time to work on something. It would be nice to have a solution ready for next Spring and of course before next Summer so that I can stop and fill up once or twice and go around watering. Therefore, I'm throwing it out there to all of you.
Any thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Perhaps some device I haven't discovered yet?
We're about to enter the (usually) wet season in the Fall and we only have another month of super hot weather, so I have time to work on something. It would be nice to have a solution ready for next Spring and of course before next Summer so that I can stop and fill up once or twice and go around watering. Therefore, I'm throwing it out there to all of you.
Any thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Perhaps some device I haven't discovered yet?
How about a rain barrel? It has a spigot to which you could attach a hose. They cost under $100 or you could make your own rain barrel (just google homemade rain barrels).
ReplyDeleteI never thought about a rain barrel. Makes sense. Thank you!
Deletewould an IBC tank fit in it, you could have one with a tap and a bit of hose with a nozzle connected to the tap you drive along and activate the hose from your seat :-)
ReplyDeleteI had to google IBC tank, ha. I love those tanks, never knew what they were called. I'm not sure if one would fit but that makes sense. I will do some measuring....Thank you!
Deletewhat about a rain barrel? one of the ones that has a spigot for a hose?
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny that I never thought about a rain barrel. In my mind I had other things pictured and yet a rain barrel is something I've been wanting (when we get gutters at the farm). Thank you!
DeleteYou can haul an open container. Place a stick or a piece of lumber on top of the water in the bucket. Believe it or not it reduces the sloshing.
ReplyDeletesort of like placing a wooden spoon on a pot so it won't boil over.
DeleteWow, I never knew that. How fascinating. I will definitely remember that!! It makes sense, as Joani says, I've put a wooden spoon over a pot. Too cool! Thank you both!
DeleteCheck out this video, it gave me some ideas as I am in the same boat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzGsOuvaDUg&list=FLdbPakk0ZMT8ME9i-dsgL-g&index=6
ReplyDeleteNice to know we're not alone, right? Ha. That's a great video link, thank you!!
DeleteAlthough at first it might be laborious and costly........have you considered an irrigation system? You can rent the ditch digger and dig a trench for your line ....and the black hose, I think you can purchase by a large roll. Planned correctly, you can have a feeder to go to each tree , insuring that all trees get water and saving you a lot of time and work from hauling. If you have a well, you can tie this in and have all of the operational functions in the well house. Having someone else do this for you is what costs more. It is really a good investment and helps to keep your trees healthy and growing during the hot seasons. If all of your trees are within good distance of your faucet.........you could get soaker hoses joined together to the length and circumference of your trees and be able to water them all at the same time. Hope this might help.........good luck!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking along these lines - you might be best off with chained garden hoses for now. this solution will take you the least amount of time to set up if the trees are close enough.
Deletecheers!
I thought about that but the trees are planting pretty far from the house and the faucet. And they are in various directions. Two trees behind the house...two more over by the mower shed, then two more way over by the future barn site in front of the house, then two more behind the garden. And a few more scattered around. It's the way the house is situated on the property, there are certain areas we couldn't put trees. Can't plant near the septic leach field, can't plant near the overhead electrical lines , can't plant near the pipe that comes in form the well house, can't plant too near the driveway and only parking area, etc etc.
DeleteBut we'll see what happens, I did dig and plant a long hose all the way to the garden so I have done it, and you're right a lot of work.
I also think PVC pipe is used and is easier to T off in different directions.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I wish I had used PVC when I went to the garden, but at least the trench is there, maybe I'll upgrade someday, ha. Thank you!!
DeleteWhy not do a drip system from the hose you are referring to or is it too far away? You could put it on a timer or a float system. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately too far away, in practically every direction away from the house, ha.
Delete1st Man,
ReplyDeleteHow about several rain barrels around the garden or property with a drip hose connected and directed toward the tree's and plants? You can get rain barrels off of Craigslist, or at a farm store and they're not to expensive. We placed timers on ours this way the barrel waters the plants at specific times. Just make sure your rain barrels sit higher than the items being watered.
You know, that NEVER even crossed my mind. Thank you! I don't know why I didn't think about that. That would work great for the fruit trees and so some combination of that and a trailer thing would work great. Thanks!!
DeleteI agree with Sandy, you could put some rain barrels around the property as water access points. It sounds like you get quite a bit of rain. Failing that, what about a large water bladder to fit in the trailer. It still might cost you a bit but I wouldn't think as expensive as the tank sprayer device. There are plenty of places that sell them, even ebay. Here is just one site -
ReplyDeleteThe site didn't print so here it is again http://www.erosionpollution.com/flexibletanks.html.
DeleteWell, who knew?? I've never seen that before, a bladder. And yes, isn't that rain barrel scattered around idea great? I think of them as being next to the house and a gutter but they could be anywhere and do the same thing. Thank you for this link, This might work in conjunction with something else. Thank you!!!!!
DeleteWe have a 55 gallon barrel laying on it's side. Hubby hooked a 3/4 inch pipe and t valve with shutoff and we fill that and drive it around to water trees, etc. It's in the back of our mini pickup. He also drilled a hole in the side (which is then the TOP ) large enough to use to fill it with a hose.
ReplyDeleteWorks fantastic!
Sounds like you have the same issue. I think I could do that in the back of this cart, or at least something similar. That's what I was needing just some ideas I hadn't thought of. Not sure why I didn't think of that but thanks!!
DeleteWe have done all of what you just posted. carried water in buckets by little trailer using the four wheeler. That is slow and half the water sloshes out LOL. We have a tank that has its own little pump I forget how many gallons it holds now but quite few. its in a cart as well that we pull with the four wheeler, a water hose attaches to it and its own little pump/motor pumps out the water. You can get one at Tractor Supply for way less than 4-5 hundred. But now will it be as large as the John Deer one I don't know. We also have a big square plastic tank that holds 325 gallons of water we have used as well but filling it at a location and then using it till its empty. The best thing we have figured out is soaker hoses and lots of 100 foot water hoses... We when plant a bed we also put in a soaker hose. Leaving the end out so I can hook up a water hose. Sometimes it takes 2-3 100 foot hoses to reach. I would love to plant allllllllll the way up our driveway as well but for the same reason I have not. So for now as long as I can reach it with no more than 3 100 foot water hoses end to end I consider it a plantable area. Anything past that I have steered clear of for now. The soaker hoses are nice because you turn down the water pressure so they slow soak, you can use a faucet adapter that will let you hook up to four hoses to one faucet. OH but beware a lot of faucet adapters so I found out have lead in them! Can you believe that! Says right on the package and a warning to wash your hands after handling them. I actually just found this out and I was not a happy camper. But there are zinc metal ones available that do not have lead in them. So read alllll the fine print if you buy one o those multi hose adapter things for your faucet! The bad part about using all these hoses is everytime you mow.. yep got to roll up all those hoses so you dont run over them. This is all we have come up with so far. Short of a under ground irrigation system LOL. That isn't happening here anytime soon I know :O)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the details reply, wow, thanks! Sounds like we have similar wants for our properties. The end where out house is is about the 2 acres around it, then it goes toward the road and widens to get to the other 8 or 9 acres. We'd like flowers and bushes and trees all over, but watering them is difficult.
DeleteI wondered out many hoses could be connected in a series and not lose pressure. Hmm, 300 feet huh? I might need to measure and see where I can go with 300 feet. That might be an option too. Keep most of the plantings near that diameter circle. I have read about the lead and was shocked. I got one of those 4 head ones for inside the garden. I think ended up with either brass or zinc, can't remember but I do remember the label said 'lead free'.
And ditto here, no underground system coming anytime soon, ha.
Future plans include a pond/mini lake at the other 'wide end' of the property. I figure that will give us a source of water at that end of the property so maybe cool trees and landscaping can come to that end later. Focus on around the house first...thanks again, much appreciated!
What about Tree Watering Bags? (Check at Home Depot) You'd still have to haul water but you could fill the bag and go, letting the bag slowly water the tree.
ReplyDeleteWell, another thing I had to google and yes, that's a really good idea. I like the way they slow water. I'm thinking some combination of rain barrels, hoses and this might be the best idea. Maybe these for the trees along the driveway (trying to add color) and then stand along rain barrels for the fruit trees and then hoses for the flower beds around the house and front and back yard. Thanks!!!!
Deletewhat about collecting up some large plastic containers that have contained 'safe' ingredients, ensure they have lids. make a small hole each side of the top.Fill em up, put on your cart and then place on their side next to the trees and shrubs you need to water,one hole down the other up. the idea of having two holes is to allow water to drip out-which it won't unless the air can get in. This way you can just leave the containers to drip irrigate and allow you to get on with something else.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a pretty ingenious thought as well. Thank you for that. I'll have to look into that. I love having all these ideas. Thanks!!!
DeleteMy husband and I had the same problem. He bought a portable facet ( the one that you stake in the ground and add a hose to.) Then he ran pbc pipe from our out side facet along our fence line to it. Then connected it to the the back of the faucet. Then added a sprayer hose to the front. Now all we have to do is walk out there and turn the facet on and water our plants. Saves a lot of time and energy.
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's a pretty cool way of doing it too. It is hard to figure out how to make all this work, I'm glad we're not alone, ha. Thank you!!!
DeleteThose heavyduty huge plastic trash bags would work to hold water in the wagon.
ReplyDeleteWell now that's a simple quick solution. Like those contractor bags huh? They are definitely puncture proof and could work in a pinch. Thanks!
Delete