Turner Greenhouses and PSL Greenhouses have water faucets on the east and west walls for hose connections. While the faucet handles may look different, all greenhouse rooms have in-room connections for hoses. If the faucet has a wheel handle turn it to the right to close the faucet and turn the round handle to the left to open. If the faucet has a ball valve handle, move it up or down to turn the water on and off. Be cautious when opening up the ball valve-style faucets as it can release water rapidly causing the hose to spray out water quickly when turned on all the way instead of incrementally. It is recommended to turn ball valve handles on halfway to start and adjust as needed.

WALL FAUCETS: ball-valve wall faucet on the left and two examples of wheel-type wall faucet handles are pictured below. The actual wall faucet may appear differently in greenhouse sections based on retrofit. Wall faucets are connected to the main water line in the greenhouse.

When you are done watering plants or using the hose in a greenhouse space, it is important to leave the blue on/off valve open and turn the water off at the wall faucet connection. Leaving the blue on/off valve open at the end of the hose allows water trapped in the hose to slowly drain, preventing pressure build-up, and allows you to see if the water is fully turned off at the wall faucet before exiting the greenhouse room. Failure to turn water off at the wall faucet will result in pressure build-up inside the hoses which causes increased wear and tear on the hoses, leaking, and uncontrolled flooding if the hose is compromised.

 It is important to turn the hose off at the wall faucet connection every time you are done using water in the greenhouses.

The water breaker at the end of the hose disrupts the flow of water into droplets as it passes through the hose. The extension handle gives the user extra length to reach corners, edges, and the middle of wide benches or large plantings. The blue ON/OFF valve controls the water pressure coming out of the water breaker and turns the water on and off for the user at the end of the hose. For less water pressure, turn the blue ON/OFF valve to a lower setting to gently water plants. Always turn the wall faucet off when done watering in a room.

By following these simple steps, you are helping to keep the hoses in good working condition and prevent greenhouse rooms from flooding. Greenhouse Managers will routinely replace hose parts throughout the year as needed.

If your hose, wall faucet, or parts of the hose end breaker-handle-on/off valve are leaking or broken contact your greenhouse manager. We have hose repair parts on hand and can typically work to correct any leaks or broken hoses the same day it is reported.

If you observe major flooding inside or around the facilities please notify the nearest greenhouse staff so it can be addressed quickly. Emergency contacts are posted at the main entrances of both Turner and PSL Greenhouses if you need to report flooding or other facility issues outside our normal operating hours which are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Watering Services and Connecting the Dosatron Unit for Fertilizing

PCF staff can assist with water projects in PSL and Turner Greenhouses if the lab group elects for labor service by notifying their greenhouse manager they’d like to start watering services. Current service rates can be found on our website here. We ask that research groups water their projects when watering or fertilizing will directly impact the data being collected or research goals (ex. drought study, fertilizer study, or fertilizing/watering with a specific dosage).

Greenhouse managers can train users on how to operate the Dosatron units for fertilizing plants. Below is a photo of the Dosatron fertilizer unit and quick connects. Each wall faucet has a quick connect where you can disconnect the hose from the wall by pulling up on the quick connect while pulling the hose male end down to separate the hose from the wall faucet. To connect the Dosatron or hose back to the wall faucet, pull the quick connect up, insert the male hose end, then pull the quick connect down so it snaps into place securely.

Always turn the water off at the wall facet when done fertilizing or watering in the greenhouses.