IRRIGATION in the polytunnel

[Katog]

What do you use for irrigation in the polytunnel? I had porous hose but it didn't work well maybe it got clogged up as I used water from our stream which doesn't have a filter and the pressure is low. It doesn't work even when attached to the mains.
Can you recommend anything please.

[redser]

I use soaker hoses and they work great. I didn't water my tunnel beds all summer. It is connected to a 1000 lt IBC tank and a timer, so it is just gravity fed. Maybe it is just your hoses. Have you got a link to the one you use? Any chance you could connect some sort of filter along the line to collect any silt/dirt?

[bazzaboy]

Katog, Worth doing some searches on this as there have been previous discussions on the same topic. Gardening Guru Alison has even developed a really clever battery/timer self-watering system in her polytunnel (which I have yet to copy!), see
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_63565.html

[Katog]

thanks Bazzaboy I had a look at her guttering - looks good but don't see how the water gets from the buts to the hoses.
Redser, what is your soaker hose like? Is it a hose with holes in or porous like mine?

[redser]

It's porous and weeps water slowly. Got it in Lidl earlier in the year. Works really well. Maybe yours is getting clogged up afterall, mian should have plenty of pressure as mine works fine with gravity.

[Katog]

how long is it? Mine is lots of short lengths attached to a non porous hose with t-pieces

[roitelet]

I've used soaker pots for a long time now and they work well just need filling every 4-5 days. Nothing to get clogged so would be fine for stream water. I didn't have one split tomato!!!!

[redser]

It's 15 meters in two pieces. One piece per bed joined across the path with ordinary garden hose. I created a loop/circuit to even out the pressure all along the hose. So each end goes back to the same Y junction spilter.