The above reminds me that I started looking for a simple “programmable” timed waterer (w/ std. hose connections) that will do this:
*Function indefinitely without reprogramming OR can be set for the same function for, say, up to 60 days, 90 days or even better, no “how many days” limit at all.
*Easily set “ON” time, up to 8 hours.
*Easily set “OFF” time, ends the ON time of up to 8 hours.
*So, in other words, the watering (actually light misting) will come on every day at a set time and go off 8 hours later, and that’s all the thing needs to do.
The idea is to experiment with misting cool weather veggies to keep them from bolting. I have a location where they’d get 6+ hours of morning sun, but shade after ~1 pm. Mist them from ~11 am to ~6 pm (plenty of time to dry B4 it gets dark.)
The closest I’ve seen are something like these:
That actually looks pretty good, but the time to get shipments out is kinda ridiculous (for 2023). And, there is no Q & A section, and it appears customer service is crap. AND, the watering (misting) time is only 4 hours — I’d like up to 8 in case of a heat wave. (Best I’ve seen so far is 6 hours - still looking. For examples:
I’d have to watch out for mold and such, of course...
Even better yet would be thermostat control
I use amazon.com for research, mostly looking at Q&A and reviews but also the seller’s page. In this case it’s Kazeila and here’s their sell page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kazeila/page/D41D660E-D1B2-47E3-A6D9-E6FE726D02DA
They mostly sell fake plants. Seems weird to buy a watering timer from someone who specializes in fake plants that don’t need water. Just my skeptical opinion.
Lowes.com and HomeDepot.com are a little better for finding products and then go to amazon and find it for the voluminous reviews and Q&As.
Six hours and water(mist) a little heavier and you’ll have a lot of choices.
If you’re misting to try and cool off plants that don’t like heat, look on youtube for “market gardening growing lettuce in summer”. They basically mist on and off several times a day while the sun is on them in conjunction with using shade cloth.
You don’t mention what components are putting out the water and that makes a difference.
For complete control, a garden automation system complete with moisture sensors in the soil is the ultimate.
Air temperature does have some effect on soil moisture but a lot of other things do too. I just bought $40 worth of compost to use as mulch.
I had a mulched garden last year too and when it was near 100 degrees, my neighbor with bare soil was watering every day while I was watering once or twice a week. Less moisture evaporating and the soil stays cooler.
We have heavy soil here which also makes a difference.
I try to add organic materials to feed the plants and soil and add tilth to the soil while my neighbor sprinkles white powders to fertilize. Also makes a difference as to how fast your garden will dry out.
Not much you can do about air temperature but you can decrease sun and soil temperature, plus increase soil moisture and moisture holding capability.