A Wall-O’-Water is an easy
way to extend your gardening season. The earlier you can start your tomatoes,
peppers, eggplant and other warm-weather vegetables, the sooner you can start
picking. Wall-O’-Waters act like mini-greenhouses to protect your young plants
from frosty weather. Set up your Wall-O’-Water 6 to 8 weeks before last frost
date. In Longmont the average last frost date is May 8th. Set up
your Wall-O’-Water at least one week before you actually set out your plants.
This allows the soil to warm up under the Wall-O-Water and reduces transplant
shock.
Amend the soil with some compost before you set up your Wall-O’-Water.
Dig the compost in about ten to twelve inches deep. Open the package and select one of the three Wall-O'-Waters.
You
can hold the empty Wall-O’-Water in place with stakes or an empty 5 gallon
bucket.
Fill each of the Wall-O’-Water tubes about two thirds full and allow
the tubes to fold into themselves.
This will form a teepee and help protect
your young plants.
While the soil is warming up under the Wall-O’-Water, start
setting your young plants outside for a few hours at a time. This is called “hardening
off” and it allows your starts to become accustomed to the outside temperatures and conditions. As your plants grow and temperatures warm up,
fill up each of the tubes to the top. Your Wall-O’-Water is now ready for you
to add a tomato cage. Keep your Wall-O’-Water in place at least until mid-June.
Keeping the soil warm and protecting your plants will help you pick fruit
sooner in the season. Your Wall-O’-Water is reusable so store it in a safe
place until next season.
Photo credit: wmmorris, nestbox
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