Re: Digest for on-science-and-sustainability-working-group@googlegroups.com - 4 Messages in 2 Topics

[sparrow]

best to water late or early in the day to avoid/reduce evaporation.  all the rainbarrels i have ever seen had screens on top!  

On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 10:02 AM, <on-science-and-sustai...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

  Today's Topic Summary

Group: http://groups.google.com/group/on-science-and-sustainability-working-group/topics

• IMP - watering our vegies [2 Updates]
• Preventing mosquitoes in water barrels [2 Updates]

 IMP - watering our vegies

ellen <rashe...@yahoo.com> Jun 24 06:25AM -0700  

Hi,
Yesterday, I didn't stress enough that the first few days to one week
after planting is crucial to whether the plant will survive.
At this time sufficient water is crucial. Once established, we have a
little more leeway. But if we have sunny, hot rain-less days, our
little plants will need watering every day (best time - early morning
or early evening).
They may survive, without it, but they won't thrive.
 
Sorry I am not there to help with this, I know everyone is busy, but
want to bring it to your attention. I know Evelyn, Lilly , and perhaps
Edwin, are going to help with this, but not sure I made this clear.
 
thanks,
ellen


 

ellen <rashe...@yahoo.com> Jun 24 06:29AM -0700  

oh, duh, what I meant to add is-
we can make irrigation drip bottles which will help, altho they will
still have to be filled daily ideally.
Easy and free.
 
The materials you will need are as follows:
2 litre plastic soda bottle or water bottle that still has the lid
Drill and small drill bit
Sharp knife
Cutting surface
Drill 4-8 small holes into the cap of the plastic bottle. If you want
it to drip slower use less holes, faster use more holes. Don’t make
holes that are too small, they will become clogged up by debris.
Remove the bottom of the bottle by cutting across with a sharp knife.
I find a serrated knife works well. Removing the bottom of the bottle
creates a funnel for you to easily pour water into. The wide mouthed
opening will also catch some water when it rains.
Dig a hole next to a plant or in between a grouping of plants that is
deep enough to bury at least one third to one half of the bottle. If
you position the bottle in amongst a grouping of plants it will be
hidden from view. Place the bottle in the hole with the cap side down
and secure it into the hole by pressing dirt around it. This will
ensure that your bottle stays in place. Pour water into the bottle
until it is full. You can add fertilizer to the bottle every few weeks
so that your plants are fertilized right at the roots.
You will need to fill your bottle when it is empty, once a day or less
depending on how much direct, hot sun your plants receive. Make
several bottles to place in all your large containers or next to
plants in your garden such as tomatoes that require a lot of water.
 
 
 
 
 


 

 Preventing mosquitoes in water barrels

ellen <rashe...@yahoo.com> Jun 24 04:07AM -0700  

Here is the result of my research-
1. Mosquito Dunks seem to be the easiest and the most popular and
effective.
They float on water surface and kill larvae for 30 days. A pack of 6
costs about $10.00 at Lowes, Home Depot. They can be broken into
smaller pieces,and 1 or 2 packs of 6 would last our 4 rain barrels for
the summer.
SAFETY- Made with Bt-israelensis (Bt-i), a highly specific biological
pesticide, Will NOT harm people, pets, wildlife or fish.
 
However, as one customer points out-
"While the BT will have no negative effect whatsoever on your plants,
you might be introducing the BT-laced water into an environment where
it will harm the larvae of beneficial insects."
I don't know how serious this possibility is.
 
The dunks do float on the surface, so we would have to be careful not
to scoop them up when filling the watering can.
 
more info on dunks: http://www.planetnatural.com/site/mosquito-dunks.html
 
2. You can also install a fine-mesh screen across the top, but from
what I read this will reduce but not eliminate mosquitos. Some people
do this in conjuction with the dunks.
 
3. There are mosquitofish you can buy and keep in barrel, they are
effective - they eat the larvae, but I think the problem would be
scooping them up when we fill the watering can.
 
4. Longer-term solution - the best I think - is bat houses.
A single brown bat can consume as many as 1,000 mosquitos in one hour.
 
hope this helps.


 

ellen <rashe...@yahoo.com> Jun 24 04:17AM -0700  

PS - for standing water that is not being used for plants, a drop of
detergent is said to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs. fyi.
 


 

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