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The plants are really suffering and with alot of the commercial contracts we do being new builds and show homes they have no outside taps. We add in our contract that we cannot be held responsible for the watering of them, Which is a huge relief!!
On the fylde coast where we are from the soil is very sandy and all the lawns are pure brown with no green at all, I think with the hozepipe ban and no rain for 9 weeks there is not alot we can do, even after 19 yrs gardening you still feel responsible and it gets you down.
I know what you mean Martin.
Coming out of winter into spring is such an exciting time. Plants and lawns are full of life and we feel as though all the wrongs have been put right...and then the summer and the ravages of drought that seem to undo all of the good work.
We have been using this product for 4 years now, its very effective where our clients notably forget to water or can't water baskets & pots daily. But we have also used it directly in the garden soil.
See this website for an explanation, http://www.plant-watering.com/prod-detail.asp?pid=1&producttype..., we got ours from LBS, and 1kg goes a long way.
I did some contract work for Blackmoor Golf Club many years ago.
Grass wouldn't grow on the bumps and mounds on the apron around the sixth green so we hollow tined and top dressed with water retaining crystals mixed into 70/30 fine washed sand and sphagnum moss peat mixture.
The theory was sound but after a few days of irrigation the tine holes started to ooze the swollen jelly:-))
It took weeks for this to settle down and in the meantime, the ground staff had to go and sweep the mess up.
Philip Voice said:
Green-tech's Mona Irrigation System sits at the roots of your plants and trees and irrigates from the roots upwards. Generally plants get their water from the ground. Water moves through the soil to the plant by means of capillary action. By installing the Mona Irrigation system prior to planting aids this capillary action, water is stored in the subterranean Mona reservoirs and the roots absorb the water as required.
This system prevents over and under watering, reduces watering frequency and improves root development.
Take a look at the diagram attached to see how the system works.
Green-tech
I always take into account the soil. - most in our area is very free draining and chalky, so no use adding in Lobelia Cardinalis, or Hydrangeas or Actea. The plants I use will be fine in all but the driest conditions when they have established
I Always manage customers expectations, and let them know that they will have to water in the first season.
I always buy quality plants, - why would you not buy the best if you aren't paying for it?
Soil and border preparation -
week 1 - Prepare planting beds, by taking out weeds, unwanted plants and all root. Dig in well rotted organic matter. Then when you have an almost empty bed, - leave it for a week and ask the client to put a sprinkler on it for at least and hour, 3-4 times in the week
week 2 - come back to wonderfully prepared damp soil, that has already been turned over, that has worms starting to come back into it, and is wonderfully quick to plant in. - When planted, I water in everything with a hose lance before I leave, giving everything a good soaking, but without washing away the soil from the rootballs, - then ask the client to repeat with the sprinkler 2ce a week for the next 2 months.
When sending the invoice, I send written instructions on watering, as I have instructed them.
I've been doing planting projects for 6 years, - I guarantee all my plants for 2 years, and have had to replace about 15-20 plants from the 96 projects (total number of plants in 1000'2) that i've done in total over the years, with this planting method.
Why do they do it? I guess these people also go to tyre franchises for their tyres and pay well over the odds for shoddy service.
I have planted a number of plants lately, often in clay soil, and everything has taken very well so I'm pleased. I do water a lot, advise watering and always use a bit of feed and try to dig in manure where possible.