Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series, 5)
Rediscover the wisdom of low-input gardening with this guide to cultivating a productive food garden using just four basic hand tools and minimal resources. Ideal for families looking to reduce food costs and enhance self-sufficiency, this approach minimizes reliance on electricity, irrigation, and expensive inputs, relying instead on traditional methods that were widely used before the 1970s. With a small patch of land—just 3 to 5,000 square feet—and a modest investment in tools, readers can achieve impressive yields while conserving water and labour. The author’s emphasis on simple, sustainable practices makes it accessible even to beginners, offering a refreshing option to modern, high-maintenance intensive gardening.
Gardening When it Counts walks readers through the复兴 of timeless techniques that require only occasional household wastewater and around $200 worth of tools. The book’s practical, no-nonsense advice is applicable across most English-speaking regions, excluding tropical and desert climates. By adjusting planting间距 and reducing reliance on irrigation, families can significantly lower their food expenses while producing nutritious, homegrown meals. The author’s approach blends humor and actionable wisdom, making the journey to backyard food self-sufficiency both enjoyable and achievable. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, this book provides the tools and knowledge to create a thriving garden with minimal effort.
Pros
- Low-cost, minimal resource requirements
- Accessible to beginners with no prior experience
- Reduces food expenses significantly
- emphasizes sustainable, traditional methods
- Applicable in most English-speaking regions
Cons
- May not be suitable for tropical or desert climates
- Requires manual labor and effort
- Limited to non-intensive growing systems
| Publisher | New Society Publishers |
|---|---|
| Edition | 5th Edition (April 1, 2006) |
| Dimensions | 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 2.31 pounds |
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose, 2 Zone Smart Hose Timer WiFi sprinkler Controller with Antenna Gateway (Support WiFi & Ethernet Connection), automatic Watering System for Lawn and Yard
Imagine effortlessly nurturing your garden while conserving water—this smart irrigation solution makes it a reality. With built-in flow monitoring and three versatile watering modes, you can customize hydration schedules for each zone, from gentle cycles to deep soaks. The WiFi connectivity lets you manage everything remotely via the intuitive RAINPOINT HOME APP, syncing weather data to optimize plant health and water usage. Plus,real-time alerts ensure peace of mind,keeping you informed about valve performance and water consumption over the past year.
Designed for durability, this flagship timer boasts a weather-resistant IP65 structure and brass inlet with a protective rubber ring to prevent leaks. The included HWG040 gateway guarantees a stable 2.4G wifi connection, eliminating offline worries and supporting up to four timers per unit. Whether you're automating daily sprinklers or adjusting for seasonal needs, this system adapts to your landscape, making efficient watering as simple as a few taps on your phone.
Pros:
- Weather-based smart watering adjusts automatically
- Three flexible watering modes for precise control
- 24-hour flow monitoring with history tracking
- Remote management via RAINPOINT HOME APP
- Stable 2.4G WiFi connectivity with gateway support
- Heavy-duty construction with IP65 waterproofing
cons:
- Requires separate gateway for WiFi connectivity
- Only compatible with 2.4G WiFi networks
- Some users may find setup complex initially
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Watering Modes | normal, Interval, Cycle & Soak |
| Frequency Options | Daily, weekly, odd/even days, custom |
| Connection | 2.4G WiFi & ethernet (with gateway) |
| Flow Monitoring | 24-hour tracking with 12-month history |
WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose with Brass Inlet & Outlet,Smart Hose Timer with wifi Hub, APP & Voice Control,Up to 20 Watering Plans, 2-Zone Sprinkler Drip Irrigation System Controller for Watering
Take control of your garden's hydration with ease, thanks to this smart WiFi water timer. Connect it to your 2.4Ghz WiFi network via the Smart Life app, and you'll have the power to manage all your watering schedules from anywhere, at any time. The app allows you to view watering history and customize programs, ensuring your plants always get the right amount of water.With voice control compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, you can simply use your voice to turn the system on or off, making watering truly hands-free.
Designed for versatility, this device offers two autonomous watering outlets, each capable of running up to 10 separate programs. You can choose between timed or cyclical watering modes,and even pause schedules during rainy days with the built-in rain delay feature.The brass inlet and outlet ensure durability and leak-proof performance, while the ability to expand the system with up to 32 timers via a single WiFi hub lets you scale your irrigation efforts as needed.Share control with family members by adding them to the app, making garden maintenance a collaborative effort.
Pros and Cons
- Easy app control with remote access and history tracking
- Smart voice compatibility with Alexa and Google assistant
- Manual watering and rain delay functionality
- Two independant outlets with customizable watering schedules
- Extended system capability with up to 32 expandable timers
- Initial setup can be complex for beginners
- App requires a stable WiFi connection for reliable operation
- Limited to outdoor use only
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | 2.4Ghz WiFi, Smart life app |
| Control | App, voice commands (Alexa/GA) |
| Outlets | 2 independent, 20 programs total |
| Watering modes | Timed, Cyclical |
| Expansion | Up to 32 timers per hub |
4 Zone Sprinkler Timer, Smart Water Timer for Garden Hose, 4 Outlets Digital Hose Faucet Watering, Automatic Irrigation System/Rain Delay/Manual Watering for Lawn, Yard, Drip Irrigation
Keep your garden thriving effortlessly with this versatile water timer designed for garden hoses. It offers precise control over watering schedules, enabling you to set different start times, frequencies, and durations for up to four zones. Whether you're tending to a lush lawn, nurturing balcony plants, or filling a pool, this device ensures every area gets the right amount of hydration without waste. The manual mode lets you water on demand without disrupting your automated plan, while the rain delay feature pauses watering for 24, 48, or 72 hours when it’s raining, conserving water and preventing overwatering. Built to withstand the elements with an IPX54 waterproof rating, reinforced nylon valves, and a metal filter to guard against clogs, it’s a durable, low-maintenance solution for smart irrigation.
Imagine stepping outside to find your garden perfectly watered, even when you’re not around. This water timer simplifies that possibility with its intuitive digital programming and optional Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control. The ability to adjust watering schedules via a connected app means you can monitor and modify settings from anywhere, ensuring efficiency and saving time. Plus, the low power auto-off feature adds an extra layer of reliability, automatically shutting down the valve if power levels dip too low. Whether you’re managing a large estate or a small urban garden, this device adapts to your needs, providing a smarter, more considerate approach to garden care.
Pros and Cons
- 4 Independent Outlets: Customize watering for different zones.
- Manual Mode: Water on demand without interrupting schedules.
- Rain Delay: Pause watering for 24/48/72 hours on rainy days.
- Wi-Fi Capability: Control schedules remotely via app.
- Durable Construction: IPX54 waterproof rated, handles high pressure.
- Cons: Basic models lack remote control and app connectivity.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Outlets | up to 4 |
| Programming | Digital orAPP |
| Watering Duration | 1M-24H |
| Rain Delay | 24H/48H/72H |
| Weather Detection | Auto or Manual |
| Product | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
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Digital Irrigation Timer |
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Unlock Your Potential
4 Zone Sprinkler Timer, Smart Water Timer for Garden Hose, 4 Outlets Digital Hose Faucet Watering, Automatic Irrigation System/Rain Delay/Manual Watering for Lawn, Yard, Drip Irrigation
4 Independent Outlets for customized watering schedules
- Pros:
- Cons: