[pyx]

In a drought, perhaps another suggestion, completely a different approach, might be in conserving water using containers. One of the approaches that might be considered are EarthTainers including the videos at the bottom of the webpage. There is a PDF describing EarthTainer construction that can be freely downloaded here.

I have no association or connection with these people in any way. I only post the information for interest.

[WestwardHo]

EarthTainers

We tried growing three tomatoe plants in Global Buckets this summer.
Our tomatoe plants never grew more than a foot tall. When we finally gave up and put the plants in the ground the grow bucket (the dirt) was packed with root. Long thick ponytails of root had grown down into the resevoir bucket.
Each tomatoe was a different variety. Each plant came with it’s own tomatoe worm investation which doesn’t have anything to do with the buckets, obviously. But, another problem we had with the G.B.’s, is I think the water in the resevoirs was over heating because of our three digit heat.
We moved them to partial shade but I think the root problem was too advanced.
These poor tomatoes have had a rough summer. Doesn’t look like they will recover before fall.
Eastern New Mexico is in the severe drought along with the rest of you.