How did they water gardens way back when?

[pmmg]

While i do appreciate the expanded perspective i am still wrestling with a culture who has not gotten to digging a trench from the water to the garden having much else than a watering can to water with. I think the Chinese example of two pots with holes in them and walking between rows seems a tech period solution to this.

 

[Rosemary Tea]

While i do appreciate the expanded perspective i am still wrestling with a culture who has not gotten to digging a trench from the water to the garden having much else than a watering can to water with. I think the Chinese example of two pots with holes in them and walking between rows seems a tech period solution to this.

No one ever said they hadn't gotten to digging a trench from the water to the garden. In fact, someone suggested up thread that they could have, and I accepted that possibility. I think they would have, unless the garden has enough groundwater for it not to be a concern.

 

[Puck]

Irrigation trenches for agriculture was certainly a thing. It is also quite possible it would have been worthwhile using irrigation for a large garden attached to a monastery or a noble household. For a smaller garden it may have been a bit ott (but that would of course depend on where the garden was located relative to surrounding water sources and agriculture.

 

[pmmg]

Every garden I've ever watered had irrigation lines in the beds, or, at the very least, a hose and spigot. These characters wouldn't have any of that.

you had said that in your opening post. They have no irrigation lines. If they have irrigation, then they have a lot more options. Why not use that.

 

[Rosemary Tea]

you had said that in your opening post. They have no irrigation lines. If they have irrigation, then they have a lot more options. Why not use that.

Irrigation lines in the beds means something like this: Soaker Hose Irrigation System for Garden Rows | Gardeners.com

I said my characters wouldn't have that. They wouldn't, in the absence of modern irrigation materials. I did not say they wouldn't have any irrigation system at all.

 

[pmmg]

So....are you still wanting something different than a watering can, and irrigation trenches?

 

[Rosemary Tea]

So....are you still wanting something different than a watering can, and irrigation trenches?

No. All I really wanted to know was how they might irrigate a home garden without the convenience of hoses and spigots. I've gotten plenty of usable answers.