If you are sick and tired of carting your garden hose around the yard, consider shortening the hose by installing additional hose bibs in convenient exterior locations around your home. The only requirement is that you will need to tap into a water line and you will need to be able to solder copper pipe to connect the bib.

There are many options for hose bibs. To prevent waste water from backflowing consider an anti-siphon hose bib. There are also frost-free hose bibs available that will not freeze during winter months.

To install an additional hose bib, first drill a hole into the side of your home where the water line is located. It’s best to use a hole saw that is the same diameter of the pipe. Insert the hose bib shaft through the opening. You will need to turn off the main water supply and and drain water lines. Now attach the hose bib flange to the wall.

You will need to cut the water supply line with the two cutter and then solder the copper pipe to the threaded adapter fitting. Now install a copper T and piping to the hose bib stub.

Connect the hose bib to the adapter with a union fitting. Consider installing a shutoff valve here. Now caulk around the flange to seal. Check for leaks by turning on the water at the main valve. Once a steady stream is established turn it off. Now turn on the hose them to test it.

Woodford 21CP 1/2" Hose Bib - Chrome US $31.32 Auction Ends: Thursday Sep-09-2010 13:28:38 PDT   | Watch this Item

1 1/4 inch Ball and Purge valve with hose bib & cap. US $39.75 Auction Ends: Friday Sep-10-2010 3:42:59 PDT   | Watch this Item

1 inch Ball and Purge valve with hose bib & cap. US $29.55 Auction Ends: Friday Sep-10-2010 11:36:39 PDT   | Watch this Item

Mild winters and sunny summers make it feasible for San Diego homeowners to garden year round. Organic gardening is particularly beneficial to this ocean side community that is located between the beautiful ocean and the mountain peaks. Soil condition in San Diego can be an issue. Those in the mountains may find plenty of rocks, and it will be necessary for most people to water their gardens often to keep soil from drying out.

Utilizing Rain Water to your Advantage

One of the most beneficial things gardeners can do is to accumulate rainwater in rain barrels and use it to their gain. Rainfall in San Diego is often spotty. The majority of rainfall happens in January, February and March, while summers are likely to be to be quite dry, in particular the months of June, July and August. It is beneficial to place rain containers under your gutter downspouts to collect the water to wet your garden during dry spells.

Many companies give away or sell their used plastic barrels that can be turned into exceptional rain barrels. Reusing these barrels is a good way to recycle. If you are adamantly against plastic, some garden stores sell wooden whiskey barrels that can be employed. They will be more expensive, but they function as good rain barrels. While at your neighborhood hardware store, you can buy spigots to be installed in each barrel.

Spigots are easy to install. Start by drilling a hole that is the same diameter as the spigot, unscrew the nut from the spigot and place the faucet side on the outside of the barrel. On the interior of the barrel, turn the nut back on and a washer to the spigot end and ensure it is a tight fit to stop any water from escaping. If necessary, add some waterproof sealant to create a leak-free fit. Once you have a spigot put in, you can connect a garden hose to your barrels for watering your gardens. Simply turn on the spigot and gravity pushes the water out of the hose.

Utilizing Organic Compost for Cultivating Plants

The next phase for your organic garden will be establishing productive soil for your plants. You’ll need to work the soil, either by hand or with a rototiller. Not only is the use of a shovel more “green” because there is no need to run a gas-powered machine, but you will also get exercise. Add compost to the soil as you turn it to produce rich loam for your vegetation.

Compost bins are easy to put together, or you can purchase them from neighborhood garden supply stores. Grass trimmings, raked leaves and biodegradable garbage like fruit and vegetable trimmings make terrific compost. When first beginning, you may need to buy organic compost, but as you acquire your own compost, you will conserve money by having your own compost. Regarding your compost bin, make sure you stir up composting matter every few days so that the bacteria are consistently exposed to the sun and oxygen.

Plant Crops Suitable to the Seasons

Perhaps the most essential aspect of gardening in San Diego is choosing the right crops. Plants such as broccoli, spinach, peas, onions, lettuce, garlic and other greens such as cooler weather. Save these crops for the wet, winter months. Tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini and other squashes like heat, so they make good summer crops as long as you keep them well watered.

Make sure your plants have plenty of exposure to the sun. Plants need sunlight to do well, so inspect your yard to make sure your garden area receives a good deal of sun exposure, keeping in mind the various seasons. You’ll also want to position it near enough the water barrels for hoses to be able to reach.

Begin with the basics and work your way up to a larger garden. As you become accustomed to the daily routines of watering and weed pulling, you will gain confidence to have a larger garden in the years to come.