From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Europe , slovenia

Garden pump 3/4 hose and a watering gun or sprinkler dont overthink for your first year with a working setup

2/16/2026 2:51:52 AM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Thanks. when I said « my first year with a functional setup » I meant my first year with irrigation before I was using soaker hoses.

2/17/2026 6:34:52 PM

Europe , slovenia

Well soaker hoses plus adaptors plus a (pump if you have no hill) money can add up quick

2/18/2026 2:09:27 AM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

The soaker hoses won't work so well for me this year as I needed a lot of hose to cover my patch witch costs $$$

2/18/2026 9:42:05 PM

Europe , slovenia

yes, thats why i reccomend you buy a garden pump and a sprinkler or just use a hose to water on the leafs

2/19/2026 9:26:48 AM

Portland, CT

Since you're young and I'm assuming you get a summer break, I would recommend you just hand water with a hose and a nice watering wand.

2/19/2026 3:54:10 PM

I fear that you will water as needed but without any added fertilizer along with it, unless the soil itself is packed to the brim before planting with timed-release ferts that are made for that. However, a hose-end fertilizer sprayer that can have added to it any water-soluble ferts is advisable (been there, done that) and even as I have looked into this, I've found numerous sprinkler pumps that are of interest, even though I already have one for my 5 patches AND one in the basement for extra, house water pressure. I'm not suggesting that, for the COST of it, but it's always more fun with power involved, lol. My idea per this post is to have a 55-gallon barrel up on a pedestal of about 10-15 feet above the patch (Gravity Feed) or on a land-based surface that is simply that much higher; Bottom of barrel cut out, turned upside-down and using the threaded holes in what was the top of the barrel, now the bottom, as at least ONE output to a large garden hose with a (normal) spray nozzle on the end of it.
Cont'd:

[Last edit: 02/19/26 5:05:41 PM]

2/19/2026 5:00:49 PM

This way, you could add anything you want to the water that would come from the house pressure into the barrel, mix it up and then use the sprayer to spray just the leaves and the soil subsequently, with the gravity-fed pressure. This barrel would have a bypass valve at the bottom---routing the house pressure directly to the hose so that at LEAST a day later, you could drench-water the plants all you wanted. Unless there is the capability, cash and grower expertise to fully-utilize overhead, drenching, soaker hoses and greenhouses/all-out efforts, there is no need to get 'too crazy' with it, just yet, but I think this idea would cost less than $100 USD to incorporate, including every piece I mentioned. Then, next year, I'd be suggesting a 1-HP sprinkler pump that is about $150 USD butt I have seen ones today with 'your name all over 'em', lol. All just for you to think about. eric g
PS---See the below, articulate rant I typed out before about this, but not the barrel-above idea (Thanks to Joe Pukos - I should look at his Diaries now) and be sure to see the links I provided to give you a visual. Take Care---eric g
https://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=50&p=750104

[Last edit: 02/19/26 8:55:33 PM]

2/19/2026 5:00:59 PM

https://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=901&gid=17
That's what I'm talkin' about; I don't think he ever kept a diary as we do, or I only looked from like 2K through like 2012. What worked for HIM, though...good to go! eric g

2/19/2026 10:05:25 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Thanks the barrel idea looks good. I also plan to make a « roof » out of greenhouse fabric over th3 plants the water gies down the « roof » and into the barrel then only needs to go through a hose into the patch.
That should make my pumpkins REALLY grow though I have seen pumpkins pushed to 2,000 pounds with no water (but probably lots of rain).

2/20/2026 4:19:14 PM