A budding container garden basks under the radiant Californian sun on my apartment balcony.
Although I do enjoy watering and caring for my botanical oasis, the occasional runoff water from the containers would make a mess on the cramped floor.
While rummaging the internet for solutions, I became enlightened reading articles on Drip Irrigation.
Drip irrigation, or micro-irrigation, is a watering system that delivers water droplets into the soil through small holes in a plastic pipe.
As a result, a wholesome portion of water gradually saturates thirsty roots.
My interests were sparked as I was visualizing this method for my garden.
Eventually, I stumbled upon and purchased a six pack of the "Auto-Water Nozzle" for $4.
99 on Amazon.
com.
The product is a simple, clear plastic nozzle that is compatible with most soft drink and wine bottles.
Instructions: 1.
Drill a center hole on a bottle cap.
-A drill is best, but if you do not have one most bottle caps can be punctured with a knife or hammer and nail.
Please, be careful! The hole must be centered on the cap.
2.
Insert the Auto-Water Nozzle through the hole from inside the cap.
-The opening must be large enough for the Auto-Water Nozzle.
3.
Fill the bottle with water and screw the cap with Auto-Water Nozzle on the bottle.
-Make certain all connections are secured and sealed.
4.
Flip the bottle and insert Auto-Water Nozzle into soil.
As soil becomes dry, it releases oxygen into the bottle, which in turn releases the exact amount of water the plant needs.
-If water does not cascade out of the bottle when flipped over, inspect the connections of the bottle, nozzle, and cap to make sure they are fully sealed.
According to the direction page that was included with the package, the benefits of the Auto-Water Nozzle are: 1.
Reuse your soft drink bottle or wine bottle and save our environment.
2.
High efficiency, low cost automatic water solution for indoor and outdoor plants.
Provide exact amount of water every time without the risk of overwatering or dehydration.
3.
Great for watering plants that are far away from a garden hose.
4.
Directly deliver water or fertilizer into root zone of plants.
5.
Much easier to fill water.
6.
No spills to clean up and no more over-watering.
Dispenses water as plants need it, every time.
7.
Fits in most soda or wine bottles with a cap.
My balcony floor has been completely dry ever since I started using the Auto-Water Nozzles.
So far, my bottle collection includes those that have housed sparkling mineral water and balsamic vinegar.
My sun-drenched plants demand a lot of water, so I have been refilling the bottles every two days.
Occasionally, the Auto-Water Nozzle gets clogged with soil and it slows or even stops the water flow.
I take notice of the obstruction if water in a bottle stays at the same level for a long period of time.
To prevent buildup from occurring, remove the nozzle from the soil and shake the bottle vigorously to clear the debris.
I hope the nozzles do not get clogged if I am on a weekend getaway! Despite the soil traffic jams of the Auto-Water Nozzles, my plants have a healthier glow.
I highly recommend this product to anyone with a container garden.
Not only do they conserve water and ease watering duty stress, Auto-Water Nozzles keep a balcony floor nice and dry.