The house we just moved into has an irrigation system with about a million heads... unfortunately we were told it has a massive leak somewhere so we havent used it. I had the most excellent veggies last summer, and am starting to see why- bc it flooded about every day last year. I am doing my best to get out there and water but it is tough.

Yeah it's hot. And I can totally relate to wishing for a real watering system. I need to buy a longer hose. I've been very tempted to unhook the one from the front yard and hook it to the one in the back. Then I'd have to hand water those things in the front, but once or twice a week out there would be better than once or twice a day back and forth to the veggie garden, which of course isn't once or twice, as it's several trips each time.

My tomato plants look awful.

I plunked down some cash and had an automated irrigation system installed this spring. Well worth it, I thought to myself, as I saw the weather forecast for the next two weeks: hot and dry! I'll be out of town all next week but my water-hog of a veggie garden will survive without me.

Here is a link that might be useful: soil moisture/drought monitoring in georgia

I've been spot watering,and praying for rain. The lake is VERY LOW.

I was looking back over my records last night thinking about how dry its been. Including yesterday, I've had 2.15" of rain in the last 33 days. I've had only 0.90" in the last 22 days. We're in a summer type pattern and still 11 days from summer!

Less than a month ago I was praying that it would get hot for my daughter's swimming pool birthday party.
! In my front yard, I drag the hose from section to section and let the water drip for about an hour or more in each section. I don't get all sections, of course, since I don't do this every day. I try to focus, in order, on (1) tomatoes & squash; (2) the shrubs that were planted relatively recently and like water (clethra, anise); (3) right in front of the house which includes hydrangea, gardenia, hosta; (4) island with roses & phlox; and (5) ginger lily and elephant ears. The very front near the sidewalk (which includes sedum, lavendar, coreopsis, mutabilis rose, apothecary rose, daylilies) is on its own but coping well. North edge shrubs are on their own and not coping super but okay.

At community garden I've averaged 1.5 times per week to let the soaker hose go for about 45 minutes and since it's in a rather shady plot it seems to be doing okay.

hang in there!
rb

Ive been moving around the soaker hose and sprinker all morning. This is brutal. I picked the wrong year not to get new mulch.

I have over 1000' of hoses laid out to watering zones, but it's all manual operation. Went shopping for timers, so I could automatically water, but they are seasonal items, I'm told and will not be available until next spring? Internet is probably the last resort, maybe, as I called the manufacturer of the one's that are most highly rated and they are out of stock and production won't start again until Sept. It's a crazy world, IMHO.
Everything is holding on fairly well, except recent plantings and potted plants, that require frequent watering.
If the Army COE don't drain LL, while keeping the Hooche at full bank, we may survive until the rains return.
Rb

I am up to $80 a month for water! I water every day, ban or no ban. Come and get me water cops!

well Vroomp, I once drove in the HOV lane and guess what...I was the only one in the car...guess I'm almost as kool as you are

I have been doing mostly night time watering. Can't help but believe it won't evaporate as quickly. Still do a small bit during the day for the birds.

Gonna be doing some rain dancing today for the showers to develop this afternoon and tomorrow.

Last year where I am there was only about 3 days with temps over 90. When the spring started off brutally hot and miserable I knew we were in for a lot of hot dry weather this summer. The weather man said this summer is supposed to be normal amounts of rain but I say get those hoses and sprinklers and tree gators ready.

40% chance of rain tomorrow, keep praying.

I can highly recommend the gardena oscillating sprinker. In fact, I now have all gardena hoseheads and quick connects and I love them. They are available at pikes and on Amazon.

Yeah for tomorrow... what will probably be a nominal amount of rain then another week of no rain forcast after that.

2 1/2 years ago when we bought the house, we had such massive flooding problems. We relandscaped everything and even put in a drainage system! Sure wish we would have put in the irrigation system at the same tight. Who knew! Vroomp, I'm with you on the water cops. If it's looking thirsty, it's getting a drink...don't care what day it is. Actually, come to think of it, I don't even know what my day is to water. :-) I am very tired of dragging the hose everywhere. Gonna have to come up with a better system to survive the summer...

down to a 30% chance of rain tomorrow.....

Since I moved last fall, I am trying to establish a garden without rain! The irrigation system really doesn't keep up so I wander around with watering cans every evening. Pine straw mulch has been replaced by bark for water retention around plants. I will go all bark sometime soon. Does anyone have experience with the "Free" mulch from counties? I live in Hall.

RB did you check with any hydroponic places about timers? Look at Atlantis, here in town. They might have something in stock.

GGG

Drats. Down to 40% in my zipcode.
I just watered my lawn so it it *should* rain now. I might have to wash the car to jump start the clouds.

Looks like you are on to something, quirkyquercus. Storms are on the way...

Thanks GGG-
Found something at BJ's that is compatible with my existing system. After watering my plants this AM and washing my car, I am now getting some of that 40% chance of showers! It formed right above me and is just sitting there. Don't expect it will last long enough to do much good, as it's very light, but every drop from the clouds is appreciated!
Hope everyone that needs rain, receives some today.
Rb

Several years ago the county ran water lines thru here. Assured future customers that bill would run around $12 per month. I opted to keep on my well system. People said I was nuts;I would get all sorts of exotic diseases.
Am laughing now - some neighbours water bills are getting near $100. which is $82 more than was assured! My garden is so odd-shaped that irrigation system wouldn't work too well. So every evening I run sprinklers and driphoses and revel in my green lawn and thriving flowers. Cannot help an inward smirk when neighbours moan about wilting lawns. The only drawback is my water comes from lime rock and I have to use Miracid frequently to keep ph in check.

You know it's dry when you look forward to hurricane season!

Gail

The tropical storm in the gulf just got upgraded to a hurricane. I know it's tacky, but my first thought was whether it's headed in a direction that will bring us rain. Right now, it's headed for one of the keys. Don't remember which one.

Right now here in Augusta it's raining like crazy. What a nice sound! The temps have dropped about 15 degrees since this started.

Don't you just love falling asleep to the sound of the rain?

Gail

That 40% turned into 0% here yesterday and now it looks like Alberto isn't going to bring any rain here either.

UKGA, I did read that the wells in GA when tested had a higher level of waterborne bacteria and so when compared to wells in other places such as Florida. I'm not sure why. That doesn't mean municpal water supplies are safe. I think it was back in the early 80's that the entire town of Tate's water was contaminated and a large percentage of the population became ill. The QOW report just came in last months bill here in Gwinnett.