I also use them to fill a bird bath that is 200" from my hose.

Do y'all leave the water jugs out (capped with water) the whole time?

This is a great idea!

Me, too, but with laundry-detergent bottles, not milk jugs.

And of course, any time a hose and a watering can are near each other, I leave the watering can full.

I also leave a jug or two at the far end of the hose's reach, and any time I drag the hose that far to water, I also refill those jugs. In-between hose-dragging sessions, I have a few gallons handy for the dryest spots.

I started that habit when I tried to grow some semi-aquatic "Water Spinach"
/ Ipomoea aquatica. I tried to water it at least once per day, or twice. Even so: "forget about it!". I think it was both too dry and too cool (semi-tropical).


I also keep both a jet-or-mist nozzle and a Y-fitting with valves on the end of the hose. After dragging the hose as far as it goes, I can use the jet setting to give a little water to more remote spots, but that trades off distance for a lesser volume (rate) of water.

But the spare valve on the Y-fixture will shoot a vast amount of water rapidly, a lesser distance. I can make that a heavy stream or a broken-up heavy spray by closing the valve just a little bit. That way I can very quickly give bushes or a wide area a little water during the driest spells.

I usually re-fill the jugs when I empty them. I always have at least 12 in the GH over winter. Also the jugs work great for birdseed...very easy to haul to feeders and fill.

Thanks Ginger!

A good use of my wagon to haul the jugs whereever needed.

I use jugs to water and feed plants.I have spots in my gardens that are dry and just don't get rain.So I put a hole in the bottom and set the jug next to the plant and fill.Water drains out slowly and there's not much run off so the plant get nice and watered.Works well with feeding too.
Love my jugs

no comment from me on that last comment

Jugs are great!!

Sometimes I used carry an empty pot with many SMALL holes in the bottom. Then I could water directly from a gallon jug or hose-end by holding the pot low to the ground, and pouring water into the pot.

The pots broke the force of the water, and the holes in the pot acted like a very fast, coarse watering rose. It reduced the splashing and soil disturbance.

Then I realized that what I really wanted was a spigot next to each bed. It turned out to be inexpensive.

I bought some lengths of 1/2" and 3/4" irrigation tubing ("mainline"). I ran them from my spigot all around my yard, then installed male-hose-thread end fittings and Tees.

You can find 1/2" mainline for $14 per 100 feet, and 1/2" tubing will give you up to 240 GPH (4 gallons per minute). I got 1/2" end fittings and Tees from Dripworks for around $1 to $1.50 each.

Then I screwed "Y" hose fittings with two valves onto some of the male-hose-thread ends and Tees. (It's nice to have shut-off valves right next to the zone you're watering!) Plastic ones cost $2 but metal Ys with valves are nicer.

Then I cut up my old, long hoses into 2-4 short lengths. I added "hose repair" fittings onto the cut ends. That turned two long, dragging, kinking nuisances into 6 short, handy hoses each with a watering wand or hand sprayer. I splurged on brass hose repair fittings, but plastic or nylon ones can be found for $1.50.

Then I screwed those SHORT lengths of garden hose onto each of the hose thread ends of the irrigation "mainline network". Now I have a spigot and a hose right next to almost every bed!

And when I want to add a dripline or a sprayer or sprinkler, I have irrigation mainline somewhere nearby.

It was overkill, but I like gadgets.


http://garden.org/ideas/manage...

>>>It was overkill, but I like gadgets.

Sounds like it!!. You are also a great writer, I can actually feel your excitement when you talk about your gadgets.

Thanks you for the compliment!

You are so right, I do love my gadgets! (I just added that to my Profile.)

Your ~ ~