Self watering containers are fine for several days in a row, even in summer, especially if they aren't out in the sun all day.

Sounds like the location will be pretty shady... you can probably get away with lettuce and other leafy greens in that location. Any fruiting veggies like tomatoes, peppers, etc. will want more sun.

When you say that container gardening is not allowed by the HOA, does that mean that if you have a hose bibb on that patio you cannot hook a small drip irrigation system to it? No one would see it...
That's the way that I water my containers.
Sara

The HOA have rather strict guideline and stiff fines. Apparently, plants can be more than 12 feet tall. The container must be less than 24 inch in diameter. No hanging plants, no plants on railing, no irrigation, all plants just have a water catch dish (the deck is wood), and climbing vines cannot touch the wall or railing. They do maintenance so it may be spotted.

It could be worse. My sister's HOA is really mental. A contractor hired by the HOA cracked her flower pot and my sister received a violation the very next day warning her to replace the pot or else.

My mom is retired, so it's probably not too much of an issue, but in case she needs to travel somewhere on vacation.

Paul

Wow...and I thought that these things just prohibited hanging out your washing and the like.
I think that you just need to line up someone to water while she's gone!
Sara

One cheap & easy version of a self-watering container is to bury a plastic bottle in the container with a bunch of tiny holes poked in it. Leave the bottle opening above the soil line so you can fill the bottle. It will take a few days to empty into the soil.

HOA's are frightening.