You were trying to figure out how to use household items for self-watering mini polytunnel? If you’re going somewhere and you need to leave your UK gardening responsibilities behind, you should make sure that your plants well accounted for. After taking such great care of your tender plant babies, the last thing you want is for them to wither away by the time you get back from your trip.
Check out the common questions people ask about watering the plants in a mini polytunnel.
What are the Household Items that I Can Use for Self-Watering Mini Polytunnels?
The good news is, you don’t need to hire someone to babysit your plants while you’re away because you can use everyday household items to implement self-watering methods for your plants.
Glass Bottle Setup
Instead of throwing your wine bottles once they’re empty, use them to water your plants every day while you’re out of the house. If you want to take your decorating skills to the next level, you can even turn the wine bottle into a creative décor that can visually enhance your pot or planter. Just make sure that your bottle comes with a cap instead of a cork.
This self-watering solution is straightforward to set up, and they work best for plants that require plenty of attention. This method will serve its purpose for about five days. To get started, you need an aluminium-capped bottle, some nails, a hammer, and pliers.
The first step is to use the pliers to get rid of the plastic film located inside the bottle cap before you drive the nail through the lid with the use of the hammer. Carefully create five mini holes from the inside of the cap while making sure that you don’t warp the cap. Next, you need to fill the bottle with water, put the lid back on, dig a hole in the plant’s soil that you want to water, and put the bottle into that hole with the cap side first.
Houseplant Bath Solution
Don’t be surprised to find out that you could bathe your plant babies like you would your pets. If you’re planning to go on a week-long vacation, the long-lasting houseplant bath solution should keep your plants in tiptop shape while you’re gone. Keep in mind that this only works for tropical plants and those that don’t need to get much sun.
To get started, you’ll need a towel, a sink or a bathtub, and some well-draining potted plants. Fill up the sink or bathtub with a few inches of water before you lay out your towel over the water to prevent the pots or your plants from scraping up the surface of your sink or bathtub. Next, you can place your plants in the sink or the tub while checking to see if the pots have good drainage.
Plant Saucer Method
Although this method is simple, this isn’t the ideal solution for plants that require special attention. However, this is works excellent for succulents and other types of cacti that don’t need a lot of water. Your plants should be fine if you use this method for three days.
The tools that you need include a saucer and a drainage pot. Ensure that the saucer you choose is close to the same size as your pot or a little bit larger. The whole point of using a saucer is to provide enough room to hold water while it still touches the pot’s entire bottom.
Next, you need to place your plant in the pot and place water in the saucer. Check to see if the plant reaches the water that’s in the saucer.
What is the Best Time to Water a Polytunnel?
The best time to water the plants in a mini polytunnel is during the early hours of the day, as soon as your growing medium dries out. A dried medium will give the leaves enough time to dry out before the day ends. Should you notice early signs of wilting by 4 p.m., resist the urge to water the plants.
Does Spraying Water on Plant Leaves Help?
Yes, it does. When you spray the foliage down with water, you can effectively rinse away dust, dirt, pests, as well as fungal spores. However, it’s important to note that when the spraying of water is overdone, and the leaves remain wet for more extended periods, the plant becomes vulnerable to disease-causing organisms that thrive in a moist environment.
Is Mini Polytunnel Gardening a Great Idea?
Yes! Mini polytunnel gardening is an excellent idea for UK gardeners who don’t have enough space in their backyard for a large British garden or those in the UK with limited living spaces. Since a mini polytunnel is mobile, you can quickly move it around when you need to. For example, if you want your plants to get more shade or sunlight, you won’t have trouble moving the small enclosure around.
Another awesome thing about mini polytunnel gardening is that you’ll be able to control your plants’ growing environment. For instance, a mini-polytunnel allows you to control the temperature and humidity levels inside it to maximise your plants’ growth potential. Plus, the mini polytunnel protects your plants from harsh weather conditions, pests, and destructive animals.
Knowing How to Use Household Items for Self-Watering Mini Polytunnels
Now that you know how to use household items for the self-watering mini polytunnel, you can finally take that much-needed vacation that you’ve always wanted. If you’re still on the fence about mini polytunnel gardening, know that it’s definitely worth the investment. Set up your mini polytunnel today!