Holiday and soaker hose....

[lmayhow]

Me again sorry

We are off on our holidays (2 weeks) and I have brought what I hope to be irrigation option for watering. Its a soaker hose that can run the length of the patch I have peg hook things to hold it in place and a tap timer that doesn't have to run daily you can set up how many times per week...

Has anyone had experiance with these type of systems? I was thinking of setting the watering to a good soak every 48 hours? Do you place the hose next to each row, slightly away or practically onto of plant? I realise not all plants need the same water but we are new to the area and I didn't feel comfortable asking the neighbour to water so much as the both work full time....

Was thinking placing the tomarto plants within the patch just drapping the hose over the pots? We have those drip feeder things you attach water bottles too but I find it hit and miss how much water is released... I must admit we have no more funds to buy anymore watering item just hoping to find someone who has used something similar....

Thank you

[Alison]

Are you talking outside or undercover? Am assuming you're talking in the ground not pots? Either way it's very difficult to answer as it depends on the weather so much. Ideally you need to trial before you go away so you can see how well watered things get in, say, an hour of watering. Personally I don't water things outdoors in the ground after I've planted so they're fine while I'm away. If you water all the time the plants don't tend to develop deep roots (which search down for water) so are more susceptible to dry spells.

[Penellype]

I have a timer on a small water butt in my friend's greenhouse, with a soaker pipe in the gro-beds for the tomatoes. I've laid the pipe so that the drip holes are a couple of inches away from the stems as you don't want the stems to get too wet and rot. The particular timer I have runs on rechargeable batteries so the little solar panel needs to get some sun. I find the thing devilishly difficult to operate, partly because in order for me to be able to lift a watering can high enough to fill the tank the timer has to be awkwardly low down. In fact have given up for the moment as it does not seem to come on when programmed, although it will come on manually (possible user error).

Things to note (others may have additional suggestions as I have only used mine in the greenhouse):
Check that the timer program is working - don't rely on manual testing.
Some plants really don't like being too wet - move the hose further away or avoid those if you can.
Most plants don't like growing in a bog. Check the forecast as the next week or so may be really very wet.

What you do depends a bit on your soil type (clay holds more water than sand) whether or not it is mulched (keeps water in) and on whether or not you have raised beds (less likely to flood, more likely to dry out) so it is hard to give specific advice. This sort of problem is one of the reasons why I never go away for more than a day or 2, as most of my plants are in pots and would simply not survive.

[lmayhow]

Yes its the outside ground I am going to need watering... I did try to not water ground but being clay type too many dry days in a row and it starts to crack and veggi plants look unhappy with me, maybe I should hold my nerve more with dry spell... the weather report has a mix of dry and light showers.

That you for advice on placement ie not right next to stem, further away from plants that dont need so much water we are going trial this weekend....

Even on dry day I would normal wait twi to three days before soaking ground...

[teakdesk]

If it's the soaker hose that is like a black foam and leaks water all down its length then I've a couple of tips.

Don't make any sharp bends as the hose will split easily and then just act like a normal hose pipe at that point and flood that area.

Try to keep the hose clean (perhaps lay on top of bark chippings or weed fabric) as dust and dirt can block the hose after a while.

Try to keep the hose flat. Any kinks can lead to more water at that point and local puddles in the veg bed.

When testing, try and test at the same time of day that you will use when you are away. Water pressure can vary during the day and this affects the amount of water the hose releases.

[MarkPelican]

I bought a timer system from hozelock (a dripper system, not a soaker hose). I've spent ages fiddling with the tap to reduce the pressure because, despite having a pressure reducer, it keeps blowing the 13mm hose off the connector.

All I would say is check that it works over a few days before you leave it because mine seems to work loose.

[teakdesk]

I bought a timer system from hozelock (a dripper system, not a soaker hose). I've spent ages fiddling with the tap to reduce the pressure because, despite having a pressure reducer, it keeps blowing the 13mm hose off the connector.

All I would say is check that it works over a few days before you leave it because mine seems to work loose.

Hoselock connectors are, IMO, the best but do wear out after a few seasons and start to fall off.

If yours is new and won't stay on then it sounds to be faulty and I'd take it back. If it's old I'd buy a new one anyway.

[MarkPelican]

Its not a standard Hozelock fitting. Here's the description Pressure Reducer - 2760 - Hozelock. Its a simple push fit and the 13mm pipe provided by hozelock isn't anything special. IMO this kit don't match up to Hozelock's normal quality.

[lmayhow]

Thank you for all your replys, couple of breaks in the hose and a few bored children later it is at least laid.... husband setting up our hozelock tap timer now...

Thank you for the tip of pressure fluctuating through the day we have 3days to test now before we leave, we dont have anything to place underneath this year but will definitely buy for next!!! Fingers crossed me manage this year!!!

Ps excuse the children they were looking for the frog that may jump out the end tee hee anything to keep them entertained

[vixylix]

It looks fab! fingers crossed it does the job for you