Rick Eggleston writes
I have grown tomatoes, cucumbers and melons for the first time in pots with
Bowers peat-free compost. As the Bowers dries out quickly, I have installed
timed irrigation from rainwater butts. This has had limited success as the
water seems to take the path of least resistance straight down through the
Bowers. Even using a ring of micro-soaker hose in the pot, water is running
out the bottom before the compost is full soaked.

I think you need to ensure the compost is moist all through before
relying on your timed irrigation, and don't let it dry out between
irrigations. I have no problem in water absorption in moist Bowers -
assuming you are talking about 'New Horizon'.


--
Kay