I second this. If you ask someone without a garden to water your plants, they'll spend 10 seconds doing it where I would normally spend 10 minutes doing it.
I definitely recommend the timer system route. Run some soaker hose through the garden, put it on a timer that runs it for an hour a day (or whatever).
This way you can just ask the relative to make sure the soaker hose is running and that the ground is moist and not have to worry about them under-watering stuff.
At my old house I had a ton of plants in pots that really did need to be watered twice a day or they'd die in the 95F heat. I set up a timer system for them too, there are smaller gauge lines you can run and put fixtures on them to water the plants. It was something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Raindrip-R560DP-Automatic-Container-Hanging/dp/B00J2NRUBI
I am a housesitter and last year was often away from my plant for a week or two at a time. I got a timer and cheap watering system from Amazon and hooked it up so that it watered every other day for a certain amount of time (I forget exactly but I feel like it was a gallon and a half or so, watered over a few hours). Would something like that help you? This is what I got!
One that has not been mentioned- an automatic watering system for plants- I set this up and now don't really worry about my garden getting enough water. There are different ones out there, I used this one or something very similar: https://www.amazon.com/Raindrip-R560DP-Automatic-Container-Hanging/dp/B00J2NRUBI/ref=psdc_13400251_t2_B086BHHPR3
I use to have drip systems until they failed. A water pump is usually required for rain barrels / reservoirs unless you're planning to use the water outlet that is pressurized. The pump will need a source to electricity too. Some have a battery controlled timer but I've read reviews that they fail quickly.
This one has a battery powered timer:
Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit for Container and Hanging Baskets
Could also grow in pots and use those cheap watering spikes with a bottle connected to it.
Try out the different hydroponics for inside. I've got a kratky cilantro seedling going right now and it's already doing better than the other seedlings in the microgreens tray where I've sprouted them. I bought a pound bag of cilantro seeds for microgreens on amazon. The seeds arrived pre-split. Pretty good deal considering my personal experience with cilantro seems to have a lower germination rate.
Check out microgreens and sprouts too :). I use a hemp mats for sprouts and coco coir for microgreens. I'm growing a bunch of pea shoots, arugula, wheat grass, and cilantro.
I was in a similar predicament last month and after reviewing DIY options decided I couldn't do it more cost effectively (or consistently) as a kit. I found this kit below and use it to water twenty containers, mostly herbs and a few vegetables.
Raindrip R560DP Automatic Container and Hanging Baskets Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2NRUBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wLjgzbS1PD6EQ
Edit: 8A here as well!
Consider getting this and setting it up.
It should work perfectly for you. Temps where I live can get up to 120 and so what i do is I make sure my plants spend some good time in indirect light so shade cloths and whatnot. Also I water twice a day, first thing in the morning and then after sunset.
I'm installing a drip irrigation system this year, and so far the brand most recommended is Raindrip (I believe it is a similar price, but I was told it holds up better, so that is what I am planning on using. I haven't done it yet though, so I can't vouch for it.) I use large planters instead of beds, but here is the link to the amazon product for planters. I think home depot/lowes sells it as well, and there are other configurations/kits the same brand sells for beds/large areas. You do run a regular hose to the system, but I like the idea of a timer if I am out of town. And you can buy extra drips for added water or an extension hose to the same bed.
https://www.amazon.com/Raindrip-R560DP-Automatic-Container-Hanging/dp/B00J2NRUBI
For $40 you can get a drip system with timer. And they last longer than soaker hoses. And you put water where you need it with drip emitters. I have this one. Love it.
I just put in a drip system, but modified it. I avoided the drip tape and main, black 3/4" supply tubing. Instead I took an old, cheap garden hose, and slit a small hole in it, and put in 1/4" barbed drippers. The garden hose was my supply line. I also bought a kit with just 1/4" line and a variety of drippers, and connectors, and hooked that to the garden those to reach plants further from the hose.
I put it all on a timer to water once a day and, BOOM, it works great. My 1/4" drip kit included a timer, it was about $40usd I think. I also didn't use the punch tool for 1/4" holes. Because it's so dull it can cause too many accidents, I used a pocket knife and guessed on the holes size. You can use an ice pick if you want.
Ha! We suffer from the same tendencies. Plus they conserve water, and I think they do a better job deep watering than most people do (which means deeper, healthier roots and stuff. Or so I hear.)
I picked mine up on Amazon cheaper than what I could find locally, and this one for example comes with easy instructions as well as a timer for the hose already: Raindrip R560DP Automatic Container and Hanging Baskets Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2NRUBI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ivJKvb31DYZSM
Nice neighbor! I have this in my garden and it’s helping take that stress away: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2NRUBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_74TQYC46HRXDXZ0E8NCZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Does anyone have experience with this brand? Also, is the fact that I inherited a “hanging basket kit,” render this system useless for a setup like yours?
Go online and look up “(your zip code) gardening zone”. Then seek plants (or planting schedules) for your zone. For example in zone 9 (this is fully incorrect and using as an example) garlic may need to be planted in oct but in your zone it may be December or something like that.
You can get a cheap hose timer and irrigation for the raised bed. I used this kit from amazon for my raised bed.
Peppers and tomatoes are super easy and rather forgiving.
Bonus points if you get nutrients and a feeding schedule!
I started off with this kit a couple years ago but now I just use the timer from it combined with this soaker hose and it works great! The hose did get a tiny hole this year so it sprays a little whenever it's running but that's fine. (I just positioned it so it doesn't spray the plants.) Overall this has been a lifesaver for me, so I hope it works well for you next year!
would something like this work?