I've tried it, but with little success. I didn't limit my attempts to tomatoes, but I'd always find that the holes plugged up in a hurry and little water got out.

Hi Cynthia,
I have a 95 year old aunt who still grows a small garden and she grew some whopper tomatoes using a method similar to your description. But she added some composted sheep manure to the jug so when you add water you are making a form of manure tea which slowly soaks in around the roots. I am going to try the same this year.

George

I tried it last year but I poked too many holes in the jug and the water ran out too fast I think. I was going for a slow drip but the jug emptied in about an hour.

Thanks all. Great responses.

I am winter sowing using milk jugs so the cloches would be already made and ready to go. Now I have another use for them - exactly what digitS' wrote - upend them, add manure and water and voila! I think it's a good way to deep water roots in this arid climate.

I read in another post in the Winter Sowing thread that milk jugs don't leach as rapidly as other plastics so perhaps I'd be good for one season of use.

Still investigating though.....

Thanks again everyone.

My grandma used to do this with 1/2 gallon jugs and slowed the flow by putting old panty hose over the holes, she used manure in the bottom too; I don't see why you can't put pinholes in there to slow flow and maybe landscape fabric to slow flow. The idea is much like the tom stakes you can purchase these days that are affixed to the end of soda bottles.

Dan

Or if you want to get fancy, you might want to look at some of the terra cotta ollas made for this purpose. They don't have holes, the water just leaches through the porous clay of the pots. I saw them recently at High Country Gardens, and I know I've seen them other places, but I'm not sure where off hand.

Hi organicallygrown, Installing a drip irrigation system would be more reliable, longer lasting,better for the roses longterm, less maintenance for you, but more expensive. I believe it is the only way to go. In the time it takes you to collect milk jugs and dig the holes to put them in you can install a nice drip system, and it will last a while. Just something to think about. thanks
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Take PVC pipe...or CPVC what we use as home water supply if concern about PVC pipe. Drill or burn tiny holes in the sides attach elbows to form the shape of irrigation around the whole bed if need be instead of just straight line. Cap the end and add hose parts on another end CHEAP irrigation. Slow your garden faucet down to a trickle or just give it a few minutes slow flow for a deep soak.NO faucet pour water down the end and let it trickle or screw a liter bottle over the end with a male fitting. i hope you understand what I am saying. BEST WISHES HAPPY GROWING !!