Watering - Soaker Hose or Sprinkler?

[OldGuy43]

Seems like I read somewhere that using a lawn sprinkler on your garden wasn't a good idea.

Comments?

 

[cityfarmer]

Our garden gets watered by both the sprinkler system and by hand. Primarily by hand. We have had good luck.

 

[Sprinkler Buddy]

A drip system is by far more efficient. With the extreme drought conditions in Texas, that would certainly be the way to go.

 

[Southern Gardener]

I used to use an overhead sprinkler, but I'd have to water for hours it seemed to get a good soaking. Now I use saoker hoses throughout the garden - they work much better - I don't waste water and the plants are not weighted down and sagging from overhead watering.

 

[Ridgerunner]

One potential problem is that some diseases live in the ground. Rain or a sprinkler might splash soil on your plants and infect them. Soakers hoses can avoid that, at least from watering. Mulch can protect against sprinklers and rain. If there is no disease in your soil, it does not matter.

Getting the foilage wet can lead to molds or mildew if it does not dry out. In theory, soaker hoses can help against that, but my soaker hoses have pinpoint leaks which actually cause them to spray and soak the foilage. Mulch won't affect that. Maybe I need better quality soaker hoses?

 

[gardentoad]

I think a drip system is the way for me with my containers, I'm sure it will save me time and money..plus my isles will not be soggy


Don. (thinking spring can't get here soon enough)

 

[Carol Dee]

I prefer the soaker hose, too. Ridgerunner is right bout wet folaige. Been there, done that

 

[RidgebackRanch]

One potential problem is that some diseases live in the ground. Rain or a sprinkler might splash soil on your plants and infect them. Soakers hoses can avoid that, at least from watering. Mulch can protect against sprinklers and rain. If there is no disease in your soil, it does not matter.

Getting the foilage wet can lead to molds or mildew if it does not dry out. In theory, soaker hoses can help against that, but my soaker hoses have pinpoint leaks which actually cause them to spray and soak the foilage. Mulch won't affect that. Maybe I need better quality soaker hoses?

Soaker hoses work best if they can be burried several inches. It will maximize the amount of water coming out and keeping out of the sun and elements will prevent the rubber from breaking down and causing leaks. Hope this helps.

 

[margali]

I think a drip system is the way for me with my containers, I'm sure it will save me time and money..plus my isles will not be soggy


Don. (thinking spring can't get here soon enough)

I made a cheap way to water both of my 4' x 5'. I got a 25 ft soaker hose, 2 barb x barb connectors, 2 pipe clamps, section of dead hose. Cut the soaker hose in half, wedged ends over barb connection to scrap solid hose and tightened down with pipe clamps. Minor drip at the junction which I put next to the first plant in the bed but it worked great for half of the cost of two 10' soakers.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I learned about the sun damage on my soaker hoses the hard way last summer - i never bury them because i move stuff around all the time, and sure enough, sun damage and BLOWOUT that washed a bunch of soil out of my beds :/ i went with some overhead drip and misters to replace it.