Self-irrigating planters and containers have definitely hit the mark in adhering to water conservation requirements. However, if the technology of the irrigation system is not fully explained to maintenance crews, saving water and even the life of a plant specimen is in vane.
I have recently discovered that changing the habits of landscape maintenance employees can be a job unto itself. After visiting a recent job site in Las Vegas, I discovered that 70% of the plant materials were dead only 4 weeks out from installation. Inconsistent and improper watering of the self-irrigating planters was the culprit.
Urban Nature specifies Jardinier’s patented “Reservoir Tank System” in every custom designed planter product. We also utilize Jardinier’s “Ecosoil™” product to maximize the capillary action of water distribution in each planter. The Reservoir Tank System employs PVC conduits that introduce water to a sub-surface fiberglass tank(s) for storage and distribution. The head of the PVC conduit sits right on or slightly above the surface of the soil inside of the pot/container. Landscape crew only need to fill the conduit and not water the soil directly. The soil can be directly watered, but this doesn’t allow for the reservoir system to effectively gauge water levels in the container.
In Las Vegas, where water conservation is paramount, installing systems like Jardinier will only use 20% of the water usually needed to maintain plantings. Getting the gardener on board with filling the reservoir and not the entire pot will prove to be your biggest challenge with using these systems. After all, the process of watering plants at the root has been around for thousands of years.
I have recently discovered that changing the habits of landscape maintenance employees can be a job unto itself. After visiting a recent job site in Las Vegas, I discovered that 70% of the plant materials were dead only 4 weeks out from installation. Inconsistent and improper watering of the self-irrigating planters was the culprit.
Urban Nature specifies Jardinier’s patented “Reservoir Tank System” in every custom designed planter product. We also utilize Jardinier’s “Ecosoil™” product to maximize the capillary action of water distribution in each planter. The Reservoir Tank System employs PVC conduits that introduce water to a sub-surface fiberglass tank(s) for storage and distribution. The head of the PVC conduit sits right on or slightly above the surface of the soil inside of the pot/container. Landscape crew only need to fill the conduit and not water the soil directly. The soil can be directly watered, but this doesn’t allow for the reservoir system to effectively gauge water levels in the container.
In Las Vegas, where water conservation is paramount, installing systems like Jardinier will only use 20% of the water usually needed to maintain plantings. Getting the gardener on board with filling the reservoir and not the entire pot will prove to be your biggest challenge with using these systems. After all, the process of watering plants at the root has been around for thousands of years.
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