You’ve got my vote @MadScientist
An update, I received and installed the new blumat blusoak sub-irrigation system today.
Burying the 2nd blusoak and storing the 3rd soaker tube because it wasn’t needed.
The worms came out to say hello! Dozens, of all sizes, came to the surface when I started digging in the soil
The completed system!
A 15 gallon reservoir, the carrot & soaker hoses, and a purge shutoff valve. The soakers cover the whole planter with each hose section placed at 8" on center. I still need to dial it in, because I forgot to presoak the blumat carrots. Once they soak for a few hours I’ll open the valves and won’t have to worry about watering again, just refilling the reservoir.
It looks like the seedlings are going to be big enough to take cotyledon samples at least a month before I’d be able to do a clone sex test, so I’m going to order the test from Phylos and hope for a quick turnaround on them.
(If anyone know of a working “referral code” or “discount code” for Phylos I’d love to be able to use one.)
Best practices for blumat soaker hose: make sure your soil depth is at least 2 foot, because the top 4-6 inches will remain dry; open up the flow control carrot way farther than you do using just a carrot dripper.