Water Gardens With Soaker Hoses - Drip Hoses Save Time, Money, and Water -

If you want your garden to look its best, you are probably going to have to water it. Of course, the best water source is rain. But during times of dry weather, a gardener must help nature along.

Many people are looking into native plants. Plants that naturally occur in your area will be genetically programmed to live through the types of weather conditions in a particular region. Many of these native plants can be drought tolerant which means they can live through long periods without rain. But merely living is not what most gardeners want. A beautiful garden relies on optimum water so that the plants can look their best.

New plants need more water than older, established plants. In order for root growth and to help a plant set in, you need to water the soil around the roots deep enough to encourage the roots to grow deep.

Certain established plants may suffer from disease, insect infestation, or fungal outbreaks if their leaves are left wet or moist. The best solution is to use a soaker hose. Soaker hoses are perforated with tiny holes that allow the water to slowly drip into the soil. This prevents run-off and keeps foliage dry.

Soaker hoses are convenient to use - no lugging heavy hoses, dealing with kinks, or winding up a dirty hose at the end of the day. If you don't want to take the time shopping for drip hoses, if you want to avoid busy weekend shoppers, or lugging the hoses home, you can buy them online.

New soaker hoses can be stiff and difficult to place. Set the hose out in the sun for a few hours. The warmth of the sun will make it easier to manipulate.

I use soaker hoses around my azaleas as well as in the flower garden. Azaleas need moisture and can dry out during hot, dry periods of summer. But using a sprinkler can waste a lot of water. A drip hose waters slowly and thoroughly with little or no run-off.

Wind the soaker house around the garden so that each plant will get their fair share of water. Then, cover the soaker hose with mulch. this will help retain moisture and hide the hoses. You can hook the soaker hose up to your regular hose.

Below, you will find several different soaker hoses available to purchase online. I've weeded through some of the reviews to save you some time.

With the Gilmore Sprinkler and Soaker Hose, you need to turn the water on slowly to let the tubes inflate and expand. Too much water pressure can expand the holes along the length of the hose. costumers have complained that the hole enlargement reduces water pressure along the length of the hose or wastes water that erupts in a spray. However, as it is called a Sprinkler Soaker hose, I can see why there are jets of water. Reviewers complain that this product is short lived.

This more expensive hose is well worth the cost. They say that you get what you pay for. Costumer reviews recommend this double walled, heavy duty hose for its lasting power. Water drips out and down for the entire length of the hose. The holes did not enlarge or spray water.

The Earth Quencher package offers two 50 foot hoses which can be attached to create one 100 foot continuous drip hose, a great length for an average garden. The Earth Quencher has a 7 year warranty and is made in the United States. Place the hose close to plants and allow the water to run slowly for best watering.

The 25 foot length is not adequate for most gardens unless you purchase several and attach them together. but this is a quality product for a small plot.

Costumers who reviewed this hose were favorable. The Professional Soaker can be left outdoors in the garden all winter with no ill effects. It's long length is best for most gardens as the shorter ones cover very little area as you have to wind them around the plants. Reviewers claim that you can hook two of these together and still get enough water pressure to soak a larger area.

This product had mixed reviews. Some new owners loved it but seemed so new to the idea of using soaker hoses, that maybe they just liked the type of watering system and not necessarily the specific product. Several costumers complained that the holes enlarge and begin to spray water. Do not attach more than two of these or create more than 100 feet of this hose.

Mixed reviews described the Andrews Sprinkler Hose as mediocre. Some people complained of kinks while others said they had no trouble with kinks. One common complaint was that the holes extend all the way to the end so that water drips right from where it's attached to the hose connection. Personally, I don't see a problem with that. I leave my drip hoses in the garden, and attach my regular hose to the soaker hose when I want to water.

Although claims have been made that the hose in made in the United States, some sources say that this product is actually made in China and if of an inferior quality than you might expect from the price. Some reviewers claimed that this hose snapped in half.