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Post by lilolpeapicker on Mar 8, 2023 21:15:18 GMT -5
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Post by desertwoman on Mar 8, 2023 23:07:28 GMT -5
I love it! So simple. I'm already thinking of how I could implement this with what I have! Only would be too much water if you left it running too long. Maybe phone alarm clock, oven timer, kitchen timer, etc to remind you?
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Post by claude on Mar 15, 2023 13:16:32 GMT -5
I would use soaker hoses under the mulch to keep evaporation down. I have a hose up at the house that goes down to the garden and I use the microwave timer for a reminder. I have the big wheeled garbage can to collect water from the downspout but that’s not attached yet…soon soon.
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Post by claude on Mar 15, 2023 16:01:28 GMT -5
My daughter shared the same video w me.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 25, 2023 7:07:20 GMT -5
That's a very cool and ingenious system. I have been hand watering the last few years but think I will invest in some soaker hoses this year. Are Flexon the way to go?
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Post by gianna on Apr 25, 2023 8:19:12 GMT -5
Are Flexon the way to go? Just quickly looking at Amazon, Flexon is a brand name with many products (some with lower ratings). Soaker hoses being only one segment of their line. Did you have a particular product in mind? I've used soaker hoses for years and love them. I used to get generic ones from Home Depot and Costco, and sometimes online. My favorites were ones from yard sales however because the price was right. Right now I'm in the process of testing my systems of soaker hoses to see what needs repair. We've had no rain for weeks now, and probably won't have more till perhaps next November. Much of the fallow ground is almost bone dry now. I let this task go too long.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 25, 2023 8:27:25 GMT -5
My favorites were ones from yard sales however because the price was right. The best things are always from yard sales. I only did a few minutes of research but was looking at this: www.amazon.com/Flexon-WS100KITCN-20-Piece-Soaker-Black/dp/B07CXZSMM1and this: www.gardeners.com/buy/garden-row-snip-n-drip-soaker-system/8587042.htmlDo you use yours with raised beds as well? I don't need a very elaborate system, just two main hoses that split and go to either side of a narrow-ish yard with 2 raised beds on one side. I am trying to spend as little as possible this year but some sort of simple irrigation system would really help me as I am only able to visit my garden about once a week and it would make it easier for my Mom (and well me) to water as she has some health issues, etc. and to be honest she gets a bit lazy about it more than anything.
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Post by gianna on Apr 25, 2023 8:55:24 GMT -5
Do you use yours with raised beds as well? Sorry, neither of your links work for me. If I'm buying a hose, I read the reviews, and generally only buy a product that has lots of reviews. Not always, but I want lots of opinions. I also read the questions/answers. I have beds, but most are not intentionally raised (but that does happen over time), and don't generally have solid sides of any sort. If your system is not too elaborate, running soaker hoses on a slope even works. Using soaker hoses takes time to get used to. Set up what you think is best, then adjust as you need to make adjustments. It's not one particular method and will vary for every environment. It's the experience of years, and you won't know what works till you just do it. That's why so many used to turn up at yard sales because folks expected great results immediately. Oh, and put mulch over them. The joy is in the journey, not the destination.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 25, 2023 9:00:45 GMT -5
That's why so many used to turn up at yard sales because folks expected great results immediately. That's the beauty of yard sales- taking advantage of other's impatience! I found some nice new old school hoses on someone's stoop last year. For some reason Home Depot etc., only seems to stock really long cumbersome hoses these days...
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Post by pepperhead212 on Apr 26, 2023 16:34:46 GMT -5
Many years ago I used "soaker hoses" on my garden rows, but after about 3 years, they would start getting holes in them. I figured out a way of sealing the holes up - make a note where the stream of water starts squirting out (I just stick a marker in the ground next to it), and turn the water off. Then I'd go get my container of Gorilla Glue, and some vinyl or nitrile gloves, then smear a small amount of the glue in the hole. Since it cures with moisture, it swells up in the mesh of the hose, and is hardened in an hour! Still, eventually I stopped using it, as I had to buy new hoses more than I wanted to, and the drip irrigation systems were becoming more available. And I found that, surprisingly, the drip tape was incredibly durable, so I started using that in close rows, like garlic, and since it is slower (no big deal - I just set the timer for longer), there is no runoff, like I would get with soaker hoses - it just soaks out slowly. As for the drip emitters, they are much better for widely spaced things, as well as containers. Here's a container I keep a lot of my irrigation parts in, to have them on hand in the shed - makes it quick and easy to fix things. My irrigation pieces, out in my shed. by pepperhead212, on Flickr
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Post by gb98 on May 29, 2023 7:19:22 GMT -5
I use the drip irrigation hoses for my raspberries and they work pretty well.
I have a rain barrel that collects water from the roof. The problem I had with it is the organic matter that runs in soon turns the water anaerobic and unusable. I gave up on it.
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Post by gardendmpls on May 29, 2023 19:08:46 GMT -5
organic matter that runs in soon turns the water anaerobic and unusable Although I don't have experience with collecting water, I have seen pictures of set-ups with screens to keep most debris out. Of course it wouldn't help much if you had a flock of seagulls or pigeons on your roof.
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Post by pepperhead212 on May 29, 2023 22:02:34 GMT -5
I use the screen to block the debris out of mine, and never have an anaerobic condition develop. And I drain it frequently, to water my herb bed.
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Post by desertwoman on May 29, 2023 22:27:29 GMT -5
I have been collecting rain/roof run off for over 20 years in galvanized stock tanks, with screens over the tops. I collect about 800 gallons between them all and have never had an anaerobic problem.
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Post by gb98 on May 30, 2023 6:21:00 GMT -5
I did have a screen on mine. Problem was trees that leave debris on roof and rainwater dumps organic matter alomg with water. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong.
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