Ryedale man invents watering device for hanging baskets (From Gazette & Herald)

Chris Ford, of Rievaulx, invents PlantWell watering device

2:32pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in News

A RYEDALE inventor is keeping his fingers crossed for a long hot summer this year.

Chris Ford, of Rievaulx, has made a device which cuts the amount of water needed to keep hanging baskets blooming by 90 per cent.

His product, PlantWell, which he has developed at his home in the village, is aimed at flower-loving gardeners planning colourful displays.

He said: “It could make all the difference to gardens and public displays in such areas as the south of England where seven water authorities are threatening fines of up to £10,000 for anyone watering their plants with a hosepipe.”

His invention is the result of many hours of trial and error looking for the perfect device to deliver directly to the plant root.

“Hanging baskets aren’t the easiest things to water,” said Chris.

“Many gardeners we spoke to said they found it difficult lifting heavy watering cans every day, leading to the use of hosepipes and the resulting waste water which runs off more established plants. So not only are they using more water than they need to, but they also get wet feet.”

PlantWell is added to the basket or pot at the building stage and feeds the plants from the inside out, eliminating a lot of moisture loss.

PlantWell is the size of a tennis ball with a spout which is put into a central position to make watering easier. Chris said: “Around half a litre of water every day poured directly into the device will be enough to make sure you have a container full of impressive blooms.”

Further information is available on the website at www.plantwell.co.uk