Comments on: Backyard experimentation

By: David Parkinson

David Parkinson — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:47:16 +0000

Hi Heidi,

Nice to hear from you. Of course I found the idea at your website initially. Works really well so we’re doing it again this year. Luckily we don’t get so hot that we really really need larger reservoirs, but I can see the attraction anyway. Cool stuff you guys are up to!

By: H2

H2 — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:43:53 +0000

Hi David:
We so enjoy your posts and have a fragile dream of moving from Chicago to your neck of the woods.

A note on SIP reservoirs: if you can get your hands on larger buckets you can create larger reservoirs, requiring less frequent watering. In a hot summer on our roof, temps can zoom to 100+ degrees (especially in these climate-change years).

My partner purchased 6 and 7-gal buckets to create a larger SIP set, with more room for potting mix as well as the larger reservoir.

Here’s a quick view:
http://greenroofgrowers.blogspot.com/2009/02/2009-roof-farm-seed-selection.html

We’ll be eager to hear how your tomatoes grow…

By: David Parkinson

David Parkinson — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:42:33 +0000

So far this is working really well. The tomatoes look pretty healthy and happy. If anything they threaten to overflow the buckets they’re in!

By: Margy

Margy — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:23:51 +0000

The self-irrigation planter is a great idea. I grow my tomatoes in small barrels but do have trouble with consistent watering. It’s either too much or not enough. I might give it a try next year if I can find some buckets. – Margy