You wrote: “This year will it be drip irrigation, a water level gauge…” I tried drip irrigation on my raised veggie beds last year and it didn’t work once the water level had dropped about a foot or so. Since i’m in earthquake country, i don’t want to raise the barrels more than 18″ or so off the ground. Ergo, i must use a pump. Now i’m trying to work up a solar design for a couple of pumps to the two raised beds, and another one to the tomatoes in TopsyTurvys. (My first year trying those.) I’ll be interested to see what you work up for a water level gauge. That would be very useful! Love your site.