I have a variety of experiences with different automatic watering systems but for different botanical applications. For limited cost and short absences watering spikes are fine (both the ceramic spike and plastic bottle fitted type), the main problem is knowing how much water you require vs. what this system will deliver per day (remember a plant in full veg/early bloom is thirsty). Another consideration is how many plants and how much space you are growing in for how many spikes are required. I've also used timed gravity fed reservoir system to drip emitters for small gardens and slightly longer absences to fully timed pressurized drip/sprinkler/sprayer/mister systems that can run for the whole summer with minor adjustments for rain/temps. Always a consideration is how badly can it go wrong, dry dead plants vs. indoor flood/fire/police. My worst experience was 1.5" water in an 8x8' room contained by 6 mil plastic and 2x4s, also seeping into the carpet and travelling down a hallway towards the front entrance before res finally went dry. Best experience almost 3 weeks vacation tropical greenhouse, raised beds, hanging baskets, lawns lushly overgrown during +30 C weather with a lax inexperienced housesitter. A good catalog for options in Canada is Lee Valley but shop around for best prices when you find what you want.
