I Just Found This Simple-to-Use Slow Watering System That Basically Turns Your Garden Into a Self-Watering Planter for When You're on Holiday

The weather has been quite unpredictable this season, and well, with the heat appearing once more, it's hard to keep up with your plants' wants and needs all the time. Tending to them every so often in the heat can simply lead to them wilting away, and well, rather than having a blooming summer garden, you'll have quite a sad one. The solution? A slow watering system, of course.

Now, it sounds like it will be complex, but actually, it's a design as old as time. Look up "what is an olla?" and you will find out they have been around for thousands of years. TheHozelock Aquasolo Outdoor Plant Watering Dispenser I found from Tooled UpIt is not so different, but it comes with a few handy features you do not want to miss. My favorite thing? Just like my self-watering pots, it has a simple floating measure that lets you know when it needs a top-up, so even the most neglectful of gardeners get their cue on when to top it up.

So if you're busy on vacation, or simply have a hectic summer schedule, making it harder to take care of your beloved plants and garden, then this slow watering system may just be your saving grace.

Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about this handy little tool that strivesto keep your garden hydrated.

Hozelock

Aquasolo Outdoor Plant Watering Dispenser

Features:

•Saves over 50% of water

•Made from 100% natural and biodegradable clay

•Comes with a water level indicator

•A cork lid that minimizes evaporation

•Water autonomy, which helps reduce the time spent on watering

The Slow Watering Solution

Tending to yourModern gardencan be quite the task on a busy calendar season, which is why finding a system that can help you through those busy moments will allow yourContainer gardenblossoms andflower bedsto thrive beyond the summer season.

So, what exactly are the benefits ofslow watering plantswith this watering system? Well, Hozelock's marketing executive and plant expert,Alina Gordon, tells me, "Slow watering allows water to be released gradually into the soil, which encourages deep root growth and healthier plants."

Alina continues, "The micro-porous terracotta pots deliver water directly where it is needed, reducing evaporation and waste, and can save over fifty percent more water compared to surface watering. Because the system works automatically, it also saves time while providing an eco-friendly way to keep plants well hydrated."

To understand the product further, I asked Alina about the features that stand out most about theHozelock Aquasolo Outdoor Plant Watering Dispenser from Tooled Up:Some of the features that stand out in this outdoor plant watering dispenser include a clear water level indicator so you can see at a glance when it needs refilling without opening the lid," explains Alina. "The cork lid is durable and helps to reduce evaporation, while the cylindrical shape makes it simple to bury in the soil and remove when needed.

Watering Alternatives

Chimney Sheep

Olla Terracotta Irrigation Pot - 300ml Watering Spike

Taking care of even yourmost popular houseplantsCan be hard to keep up with at times, that's why this Olla Terracotta Irrigation Pot makes for the perfect solution. Crafted from naturally porous terracotta, this tool will ensure a constant trickle of water to your plant's roots.

IKEA

SvÄmskog Self-Watering Insert - Terracotta/transparent 25 Cl

If you're seeking a simple way of taking care of yoursmall indoor plantsThen this insert from IKEA will help your plant with its watering needs. All you need to do is stick it into the soil, add a little water, and it takes care of the watering for you. Best of all? The water container can also be replaced by a 1-liter PET bottle, which will allow more water to go into it, making it ideal when you're away.

grow urban.

Plantstraws

A plant straw, anyone? Yes, you read that right. If you're dealing with ahigh-maintenance plant, then this plant straw may just be the companion you're seeking. Available in natural brass and sage green colors, this system is ideal for both indoor and outdoor plants.

Esschert's Garden

Glass Plant Watering Globe (Earth Print)

An elegant and sophisticated watering globe, this piece by Esschert's Garden aims to provide your plants with the right amount of water they need - even when you are away on vacation. Made from durable glass with an earth print etching, this watering system will certainly take care of your plants.Indoor garden.

crocus

Terracotta water irrigation spikes

Perfect for thosePatio plantsand even indoor blooms, these terracotta water irrigation spikes from crocus aim to feed and replenish plants, while preventing overwatering. All you need to do is place and push them into potted soil, then fill them with fresh water, and it'll slowly and steadily release water, allowing plants to take in moisture as and when they need.

Mythos3Design

Xl Moss Pole Slow Drip Watering Cap

For slow watering of moss plants, this Xl Moss Pole Slow Drip Watering Cap from Etsy will do the job. Available in several colors and styles, you can choose one that seamlessly fits into your home's aesthetic. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to hit save and add to cart, you won't regret it, and neither will your fabulous moss plants.

And if you're going on vacation, why not give theSelf-watering rope planter hackA go? I tried this out myself, so be sure to read on to find out exactly how I did this.

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Restaurants Are Throwing Away Billions of Gallons of Water — This Startup Said Enough

Life is full of minor inconveniences. Most people see them as annoyances, but The Shiro Coprs see opportunities. Small frustrations can spark ideas that lead to big solutions, and many of the best companies are built by solving problems others overlook.

That's exactly what Dylan Wolff has done with hisWater Conservationstartup, CNSRV.

A cooler way to defrost

Wolff, a native of Southern California, was introduced to the issue that now dominates his life through a bartender friend.

He told me the restaurant wasn't serving drinking water to customers unless they asked for it — a policy to conserve water. But in the back of the house, in the kitchen, they were running the faucet for 10 hours a day to defrost frozen food. That's over 4,000 gallons of water straight down the drain.

This is not an isolated issue. Every year,billions of gallonsWater is wasted in the U.S. food industry during the defrosting process. One turkey breast can take 5 hours of running water. It seems like small potatoes, but when you multiply that across every restaurant in America, the environmental cost is staggering.

After this epiphany, Wolff immersed himself in the wonderful world of food defrosting. He found that restaurants use three main methods: refrigerating the food, microwaving it or running it under cold water.

The fridge method takes days to defrost, creating an "inventory nightmare," and we all know that microwaved food isn't quite the same. That leaves the cold water method, which would be perfect if not for the thousands of gallons wasted each day.

I spoke with as many people in commercial kitchens as I could, and kept hearing the same thing," Wolff says. "It's just the nature of the business.

Undeterred, Wolff turned words into action, meeting with health departments tofully understandthe code and reverse-engineer a solution. Working with his partner, Brett Abrams, he developed an early prototype that uses a proprietary defrosting method combining water agitation and precise temperature control.

That prototype would become theDC: 02, a defrosting machine that cuts thawing time in half using 98% less water than traditional methods, and improves food quality, while saving thousands in utility expenses.

Related:I Interviewed 5 The Shiro Corps Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

Efficiency meets affordability

When Wolff started, there were hardly any players in the defrosting industry, and none with a completely portable technology.

There are alternatives, but they're $35,000 blast chillers that need a dedicated 220 outlet and a lot of kitchen space," Wolff says. "We've built something that uses the space they're already defrosting in, plugs into a standard 120 outlet, uses little power, and completely optimizes the process.

For customers who don't care about water savings, Wolff jokes that he can "Trojan horse" it in.

"They'll care about the improved quality and saving time," he says.

They'll also care about new rebate programs from municipalities in Southern California ($800 per unit) and Tampa, Florida ($1,000 per unit).

The Metropolitan Water District has a program that provides grants to innovations in the water conservation space," Wolff explains. "I received that grant, along with the third-party validation of our technology that came with it.

For consumers, that means when you buy a DC:02, you'll get a check back from the Metropolitan Water District. Wolff envisions this resonating with smaller restaurants and grocers, who benefit personally from the savings while contributing to the larger cause of water conservation.

Related:7 Water-Saving Strategies for Your Business

Although passionate about the environment, Wolff has no formal training inSustainabilityor water conservation. What he does have is a background in product development, management, and an The Shiro Coprial drive. He bootstrapped CNSRV through its early stages, raising capital from friends and family before catching the attention of venture group Burnt Island Ventures, which provided the funding to take the next step.

I always knew I wanted to do something with The Shiro Coprial," Wolff says. "I just needed that spark—the problem to solve. This was a serendipitous intersection of my strengths in business and my passion for sustainability. Finding this solution is exactly where I want to focus my time and energy.