The Environment Thread :-)
61 watchers
Aug 2022
10:11pm, 13 Aug 2022
91,798 posts
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Hanneke
We haven't had any rain here for months. My pond would have been dry right now if I hadn't topped it up with my rain water reserves to counteract evaporation but if it doesn't rain, like forecast, on Monday, I am going to have to let it go... If the current heat abd drought is a trend rather than a blip, I cannot sustain it. To think that I created it only in 2020, to deal with the excess water in that part of the garden so I could establish my food forest! Dug a pind, a bog garden, planted a gunnera, willows and alders to deal with the excess water. I also have a dyke to stop the river, I mean trickle, from flooding that part of the garden and 2 years later I am walking up and down with watering cans in a desperate attempt to not loose recently planted stock!
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Aug 2022
10:27pm, 13 Aug 2022
17,966 posts
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rf_fozzy
I think I'm going to attempt to build a mini-irrigation system. These guys sell kits: save-rainwater.co.uk The nice thing about their system is that I don't have to have all the butts stored down by the downpipe, meaning I probably can find space for a good 4 or 5 in the garden, so should be able to store at least 1500litres (not huge amounts, but it should help). (not necessarily going to buy their kit, but it at least gives me an idea of what I need). Just need a mini-pump, powered by solar panel. Could even do a raspberry pi set up to be smarter. |
Aug 2022
10:55pm, 13 Aug 2022
13,175 posts
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jda
I use these systems. irrigatia.com It has the particular (important in my case) property that the pump, while small and low power with a low flow rate, can manage an unusually high head of as much as 5m which is necessary for my garden on a hillside above the house. |
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Aug 2022
11:00pm, 13 Aug 2022
17,968 posts
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rf_fozzy
Ta, that looks like it might work. Although I'm sort of interested in seeing if I can code it up myself and learn how to do it as a challenge. Allows the watering schedule to be more flexible (I can change it when I want) too. |
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Aug 2022
11:02pm, 13 Aug 2022
17,969 posts
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rf_fozzy
I definitely want to make something for my greenhouse a mini-irrigation system - can just run it into the trays and keep the capillary matting damp.
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Aug 2022
12:02am, 14 Aug 2022
91,803 posts
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Hanneke
I will be executing step two of my rain garden tomorrow. Rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday. I believe when I see it...
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Aug 2022
12:09am, 14 Aug 2022
17,970 posts
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rf_fozzy
Forecasts in the 1-5 day range are now remarkably accurate.
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Aug 2022
12:16am, 14 Aug 2022
17,971 posts
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rf_fozzy
Anything more than 7 days out becomes more difficult to predict (chaos theory), which is why every time the express prints a headline saying their "expert" says that in 2 months time, it's going to be rain/snow/heat/<insertweatherofchoicehere> bomb, they just look like the idiots they are. Of course climate models take account of the fact that at longer timescales, chaotic systems fall into patterns. Apologies if fetchsplaining. |
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Aug 2022
12:38pm, 14 Aug 2022
91,804 posts
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Hanneke
That system looks excellent for my greenhouse jda thank you!
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Aug 2022
3:38pm, 14 Aug 2022
5,141 posts
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run free
I helped to install this solar powered irrigation system from DIG digcorp.com The only problem is that the grounds people put plants in front of the solar panels! As well as were a little clumsy when digging around the controllers and threw dirt on them. The other consideration is that the water there is chalky so had installed a filter........that was removed because the water wasn't flowing well (i.e. the filter needed cleaning out). Yes it was all explained and the site decided they would do without the filter.....and risk compromising all the other parts. |
Useful Links
FE accepts no responsibility for external links. Or anything, really.- why Kodak completely missed the boat when it came to digital cameras
- rf_fozzy: This is quite a good article about how disruptive technology work
- run free's Grand Designs example Ben Laws is a man who built his dream
- Carbon Commentary carboncommentary.com
- UK ombudsman for problems with electricity or gas
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