Growing in pots out the front.

earthbound · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:46 pm

Along the front of my house I have a wide section of concrete that is a bit of a waste and a suntrap that heats the house up in summer. In the past I have grown plants in pots, but I hadn't replanted them in a while, time to remove them, empty the pots and replant.

You can see the marks from where the old pots used to be.

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Pots set up, organic potting mix used to fill pots and a selection of vegetables and herbs laid out ready to plant. 4 varieties of eggplant, a couple of chilli, a couple of capsicum varieties, and as many different herbs as I could find.

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chillidude · **Posted:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:23 am

What's your plan for watering them ? Definitely going to need a good supply as I can imagine it gets pretty damn hot there.

earthbound · **Posted:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:46 pm

Theres a tap just around the corner at the far end of the pots. I have an electronic tap timer and some 13mm trickle pipe and assorted drippers and micro sprayers. Lay the 13mm pipe against the wall behind the pots out of the way, then riser tubes up to each pot.

I'll be doing it over the next few days as I'm getting sick of hand watering them every day.

earthbound · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:22 pm

Things are looking ok out the front after a week or so, plants are putting on some good growth already. Still haven't sorted out the automated trickle for them yet, and watering them everyday is starting to wear thin...

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earthbound · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:02 pm

Eggplant out the front in pots are really starting to get going. I'm looking forward to seeing how well they fruit, there's 4 or five different varities and I think they are loving the hot position next to the wall.

Microsprayers I set up are pretty useless, I'll replace them with a simple dripper in each pot .

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dufflight · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:30 pm

My pool ground is perfect for pot plants but the watering is a real problem. Might have to hook up a watering system. Otherwise I walk right past them and not notice them wilting. Mulch is another good thing to add to the top of pot plants.

Tristrin · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:35 pm

EB, something i have found to be fantastic for watering pots are called "360 Deg. Spectrum Jets on Spike" . Put one in each pot and they can be adjusted from just a drip to a soft 360 Deg fan spray. They are connected using 4mm dripper tube into 13mm or 19mm poly. They also come without the spike, but much better on the spike for in pots. We can buy them here in Vic so hopefully you can get them in WA

pistolknight · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:25 am

earthbound wrote:

Microsprayers I set up are pretty useless, I'll replace them with a simple dripper in each pot .

They were invented to get your stress levels up :mrgreen:

biggest waste of time ever

Tristrin wrote:

"360 Deg. Spectrum Jets on Spike

Tristan do you have a pic of an example

drewb · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:54 pm **Posts:** 6

I have to agree with you about the spayers when I work in landscaping customer always wanted spayer so they could see it working then a week later ring you up as it now didnt work properly or the dog had chewed the spray off.... grr
drippers always worked better

Drew

Tristrin · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:22 pm

OK, some photos

This is what it looks like when purchased. The 4mm barb breaks off to connect into poly. Matchbox for size comparison.

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for this photo i have removed this spectrum jet from its usual pot & placed in this pot. The top can be adjusted so you just get the right amount of water falling into the pot.

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Another mini sprinkler very similar is called a 'shrubbler on spike' they have 8 holes so water squirts from them or it can be turned back to just drip. I much prefer the spectrum jets for their soft spray.

Hope that has been some help.

earthbound · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:29 pm

ah ha......

Thanks Tristrin... There are advantages to shearing premises with a reticulation shop, he has those exact sprinklers on the shelf, I'll give them a go..

earthbound · **Posted:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:29 pm

Bloody brilliant little sprinklers Tristrin..

It's a bit hard to see it in this picture, but the spray is easily adjustable by the water flow, or by screwing the top up or down.. Perfect for the job.. Now I have all the original crap little sprayers left over, but at least it's all set up now so I hardly have to think about the pots.

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Tristrin · **Posted:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:31 pm

Glad i was able to help :rock:

chillidude · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:49 am

Chillies EB :thumb:

always good to see.

dufflight · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:05 am

I'd add a little mulch. I've got the same pots on concrete and was planting some more seedlings and man the soil was hot.

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