Can I set up a self-watering system in no-till?

Treeckle

Treeckle

Member
I have a 200x60x50cm raised bed that I am doing no-till in. I like to water my plants with compost teas and such, which means the water is usually not going to be "clean" when going into the self-watering system.
I have been looking at Blumats, and I do really like their system, but I have read that it works well only with clean water, so that would mean no teas and such, making it unusable for me.
So I am left wondering, if I can upgrade my garden with something to automate the process of watering, and keep all of my no-till soil always at the right moisture level?
 
Bignutes

Bignutes

Well-Known Member
SIPS will get you there but considering you have the bed already made you could do a different take on the raingutter grow system with pvc in the bottom of your bed and a reservoir with a float valve outside the bed.
 
Treeckle

Treeckle

Member
Bignutes said:
SIPS will get you there but considering you have the bed already made you could do a different take on the raingutter grow system with pvc in the bottom of your bed and a reservoir with a float valve outside the bed.
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Thanks for the suggestion! It does sound like a lot of work, as my bed is already full of wet soil and plants, so I'm hoping for another alternative. Though it sounds more and more that I will be stuck with the watering can on my garden :eyesmoke:
 
Bignutes

Bignutes

Well-Known Member
Treeckle said:
Thanks for the suggestion! It does sound like a lot of work, as my bed is already full of wet soil and plants, so I'm hoping for another alternative. Though it sounds more and more that I will be stuck with the watering can on my garden :eyesmoke:
Click to expand...
You could do a lined box under your bed as a reservoir use pvc as supports and wicks for one giant sip. Like the following pic but instead of fabric pots your bed, the front two plants, the rear two are a different sip setup

thumbnail_IMG_2880.jpg
 
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Treeckle

Treeckle

Member
Bignutes said:
You could do a lined box under your bed as a reservoir use pvc as supports and wicks for one giant sip. Like the following pic but instead of fabric pots your bed, the front two plants, the rear two are a different sip setup
Click to expand...
My bed is actually also made from fabric, which would work well here! However I feel like feeding teas through the top to drench the roots with microbes could be more effective than sipping it from the bottom, or am I mistaken?
 
Bignutes

Bignutes

Well-Known Member
Treeckle said:
My bed is actually also made from fabric, which would work well here! However I feel like feeding teas through the top to drench the roots with microbes could be more effective than sipping it from the bottom, or am I mistaken?
Click to expand...
I don't know if there is a best, it's what works for you.
 
$licc Ricc

$licc Ricc

Active Member
Blumat do make a screen filter with a twist off cap to remove any major buildup. I just got mine ordered for the 2nd time as I broke some carrots and whatnot moving to my new place.
 
Sade

Sade

Well-Known Member
$licc Ricc said:
Blumat do make a screen filter with a twist off cap to remove any major buildup. I just got mine ordered for the 2nd time as I broke some carrots and whatnot moving to my new place.
Click to expand...
I was just about to say this as well. I like to sog my 5x5 but watering is fucking pain in the ass.
 
$licc Ricc

$licc Ricc

Active Member
Yeah dude. A 25gal tote. I used a quick disconnect bulkhead fitting with an 8mm nipple, they sell at sustainable village. I put it up about 4.5 to 5ft over the soil surface and it runs from my wire rack in the tent via one of the air tunnels and runs down and around the bed. It's very very reliable once it's dialed in. Set it and forget it. I have another 4x4 bed and a steensland setup, running no till. I'll probably put 4 to 6 plants and let em go to town under the Geeklight Pro.
 
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