For what it's worth, I have hundreds of feet of this type of hose that's been in place for the last 25 years and it's still working well. I try to keep it under the mulch to prevent UV exposure but I am not always on top of it. Temperatures range from -30 C in winter to above 30 C in summer. Accidental cuts are easily patched but cutting the hose where damaged and reconnecting with a straight line connector (less than a minute!).
I did this in my standard garden and found that those rubber hoses have about a two year life span, even covered with mulch, so I replaced them with Gilmour fabric soaker hoses in 25' lengths and used Leader hose to connect each row at the top of the incline so that the slope of the land will also aid in even water distribution. Cut a 10' leader hose in half and connect the two halves with a t-connection. Each connection has a shutoff so I can water some rows more than others depending on the plant's needs. Looking to build a raised bed that I can use these in as they're still going strong after 7 years.
Soaker hose is OK for a short term solution or your irrigation water contains very low solids. Hard water will eventually clog the pores in this type of tubing. The harder the water, the faster it clogs.
Soaker hose is a great investment. It is freeze resistant. Unlike standard garden hose, which may explode after a heavy freeze, the soaker hose will force the water out during the freezing process. I've used it in Southern California to irrigate the garden when under drought conditions and it held up beautifully. Now, in Georgia, I've used it and even after 4 winters, the hose is still good. And that is after we had 6 degree weather this year. Enjoy your video. Keep sharing.
I use fishing line/reel spray to keep the rubber flexible at the end of the year,just a light mist when it’s all rolled up and before the next season I ofc run water through it before I use it in my garden then.
I agree it’d be great to be able to have non-drip hose to make some connections in places you don’t want to water. Like across (under) walkways between beds. Did you find any non-drip connections?
I am looking for a solution for my apartment back deck and cant run a hose from any water source. Would this work for setting up a gravity water bucket to it or does it need more pressure?
I believe this method needs pressure to let moisture out but you may be able to just poke a few holes in the hose with a toothpick to let out water where your plants are located. Thanks!
Still good after two years of use but I may try out a new system next year. But I berried the line just below the soil and that helps it not dry out and crack nearly as fast.
I haven’t removed it. It’s worked now for several years. If you place it under the soil it will last longer as the sun will dry it out and brake down the material.
do u run this off your main hose line tap and thus have access of your hose for other purposes? in effect eliminating all yiur convenience for hose hosing needs?
Ugh... soaker hose is the worst. Ask me how I know. The soak rate is inconsistent over the length of hose. Some areas get a lot, others only a little. Don't waste your $$.
You think it is perfect But wait a year or so and you will find your hose will no longer provide equally spaced water distribution, The water carrying will have small particles imbedded in it, and they will find a hole and plug it That was my find, and i stay far away from that product. But put a small particle filter inline and you may not have that problem
