Soaker Hoses Washington DC

A good soaker hose can be a gardener's friend. These hoses can act as a garden irrigation system for much less than a formal system would cost. Gather your materials and with a few minutes of your time you can make and install a soaker hose to help your garden bloom.

Materials:

• Garden hose
• Hose cap
• Drill
• Water access spigot
• Spade

1. Prepare your materials. Unroll the hose and lay it on a flat surface. Clean the hose and make certain it is in good repair.
2. Drill water holes. Use the drill to put holes in one side of the hose spaced one to two inches apart. Don't poke too many holes or the water will seep out too early and never flow to the end of the hose.
3. Cap the end. Secure a hose cap on one end of the soaker hose.
4. Place the soaker hose. Use the spade to dig a trench at the edge of your garden and down the planted rows. The trench should be no more than three inches deep for most gardens. Agricultural crops may have deeper root systems and require a deeper trench.
5. Place the hose at the base of the trench. Replace the dirt and cover the hose.
6. Attach the open end to the water spigot. You can also attach the open end to another hose if you need the additional length in order to reach a water source.
7. Turn the water on. Do not turn the water on full; just turn the knob so there is a slow to moderate flow. Leave the water running at this rate for about a half hour. Then turn off the water. The water will run through the soaker hose and water your plants. Use the soaker hose once or twice a day depending upon your plants' needs.

By following these steps you can make a soaker hose for your garden with a few minutes of effort. Enjoy the benefits of a soaker hose that gets water direct to the plant roots and reduces evaporation by keeping the water under the soil instead of on the surface. Place hoses throughout your garden for an inexpensive and useful irrigation system.

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