One of the nice
things about the .580 fittings, is the fact that
you can use them as a compression fitting, and
they have male hose threads on the outside. So
if you want to be able to easily take your
system apart, you can use the female hose end
#109 to thread on to a tee, coupling, elbow or
valve and be able to easily take it apart by
unscrewing it, instead of trying to pull the
tubing out of the fitting. This also allows you
to put a flow disc in each row.
Picture is a thumbnail.
Here are some samples
of different ways to layout your system.
Diagram A
Diagram B
Diagram C
Diagram D
Diagram E
Diagram F
click
photos to enlarge
Diagram G
Shown with .580 fittings. How to do a system around
trees or bushes. Below diagram is another way of doing
it. Set up will work with any size hose, just get the
proper parts
Diagram GG
Another way to go around trees & shrubs.
click
photos to enlarge
Diagram H
Shown with .580 fittings. For other size fittings, use
Male End Caps on the ends instead of coupling and a cap.
Diagram I
Shown with 1/4" tubing & soaker. May use the same layout
with larger soakerhose.
Diagram J
click
photo to enlarge
Diagram K
Diagram L - Great layout for raised
beds.
click
photo to enlarge
Lay your soaker hose across the
hill. Not up and down the hill.
click photo to enlarge
This creates a constant flow of water,
helping to provide a more even distribution of water.
Use Tees on the corners, in place of the
elbows, and put a cap on one end of the Tee, so you can remove the cap
to blow your system out.
Diagram
M - Installing on a hill.
Diagram N -A closed
system.
click
photo to enlarge
Bringing the water in to the center will help with a
more even water distribution. This design works well if
your rows are rather long.
click
photo to enlarge
This system uses Female ends on both ends, screwed onto
the tees for easy removal of the soaker hose, for
tilling and winter storage. It is also a closed system.
Diagram O - Closed system,
feeding from the center.
Diagram P - Take
apart/closed system.
click
photo to enlarge
Coming into the center of your design
will help achieve a more even distribution of water.
You can use the female fittings or install the
soakerhose directly into the tees.
Install an in-line
valve to each section, turning one on at a time.
Diagram Q
Diagram R
- For a larger scale set up. This could be a
2400' design. Provided you have enough water supply.
Diagram S - A closed loop set up.
Steps to installing a soaker hose system
Tools & Materials
Plastic or metal stakes
MrSoakerhose (pre-measure the path of the
hose where you are going to lay it) soaker hose is sold
only in bulk, no fittings are
attached/included.
Polytubing
Pressure Regulator is a MUST since soaker hose is
designed to work at low pressure.
Filter to keep particles from clogging
your soaker hose (minimum of 150 mesh).
Water timer (can be installed later)
Y connector with shutoff, splitters,
fittings.
Lay
Out the Hose in Your Garden Beds
Position soaker hoses throughout the garden near each
plant within 6 to 12 inches of the base. On slopes, run
across the slope, not up and down. In perennial beds,
keep hoses about 18 inches (sandy soils) to 24 inches
(clay soil) apart. For annual plants space the runs
closer, 12-18 inches apart, to make sure water reaches
their shallow roots. Stake the hose into place with
stakes wherever it needs it to secure the hose's
position.
Hide
the Hose
After testing the soaker hose to see that it waters the
area well, you can cover it with 2 inches (or more) of
mulch, such as wood chips, bark, leaves, or compost, or
even decorative rocks. The mulch keeps water from
evaporating and helps spread the water flow. It also
helps protect the hose from the sun. Have you ever felt
the temperature of water that was just sitting in a hose
out in the sun? It's hot! Can be used above or below
ground. Soaker hoseIS NOT for
lawn areas.
Stakes
Use to secure soaker hose
Watering times
Start out by running your soaker hose for about 40
minutes once a week, or 20 minutes twice a week for
sandy soils and annual plants and gardens that have
shallower roots. The goal is to wet the soil in the
plant�s root zone. You can tell if the plant is getting
enough water by digging a hole with a trowel to see if
the root zone is wet (wait a while after watering before
you check, so the water has time to soak in). Leaves may
droop a little on hot days but if they stay droopy after
the hottest part of the day, they�re probably too dry.
Drooping can also be a sign of over watering but again,
check the soil first! Once you�ve got the timing figured
out, attach and set a timer to the system. This will
make it possible for the watering system to work even
when you are on vacation.
Trees:
Using a soaker hose encircle the tree with the hose
beginning at the drip line. Add a circle of soaker hose
every 2' inward from the drip line throughout the root
zone. Try to water the soil areas directly beneath the
foliage and shaded by the tree. Do not water beyond the
drip-line and do not water closer than 3 feet to the
trunk base on established trees.
Hanging planters, pots and window boxes:
Large, hard to move barrels, pots and window boxes will
do better with a slow running soaker hose. Water
regularly as the dry season goes on. Hanging plants may
require watering more frequently as the wind and sun dry
them out. During exceptionally hot weather (80's or
90's) hanging baskets may need watering daily, or even
twice daily if the basket has limited soil area. Small
1/4" soaker hose in a loop works great for these small
areas. By using a 1/4" in-line valve you can regulate
the flow to your planter for maximum effectiveness. Like
the 1/2" soaker, ALWAYS use a regulator.
Maintaining Your Soaker Hose System
Once or twice a year, unscrew the end caps and flush out
any accumulated sediment. Flushing it at the start of
the year will help you check for leaks, and ensure that
it�s not plugged. Make sure everyone working in the
garden knows the soaker is there under the mulch, so
they don�t accidentally damage it. Most cuts or nicks
can be repaired with couplings. Soaker Hose is UV
stabilized - won't freeze in the cold or crack in the
sun.
