Q. I was thinking of using soaker hoses around my trees
instead of drip emitters. Any advice on that?
instead of drip emitters. Any advice on that?
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| Drip tubing has emitters embedded in the walls of the tubing. |
A. You are calling them “soaker hoses” but I prefer to
call them “drip tubing”. Drip tubing is about half inch in diameter with drip
emitters embedded in the tubing walls during its manufacture. Its best use is
in areas that need water applied evenly to the same depth, repeatedly.
call them “drip tubing”. Drip tubing is about half inch in diameter with drip
emitters embedded in the tubing walls during its manufacture. Its best use is
in areas that need water applied evenly to the same depth, repeatedly.
 |
| Drip tubing emitters release a precise amount of water at precise distances apart. |
Drip
emitters are added to “blank tubing” (no emitters in the sidewalls) after it’s
installed. It’s best for watering individual, smaller plants with spaces
between plants that should stay dry. Drip emitters are best for watering
different kinds of plants of different sizes with varying amounts of water.
emitters are added to “blank tubing” (no emitters in the sidewalls) after it’s
installed. It’s best for watering individual, smaller plants with spaces
between plants that should stay dry. Drip emitters are best for watering
different kinds of plants of different sizes with varying amounts of water.
 |
| Drip tubing must be under a precise pressure, psi, to work properly. |
Drip
tubing is ideal for watering trees over 20 feet tall. A coil of drip tubing can
be placed under the canopy of a tree and enlarged as the tree gets bigger. The
embedded emitters in drip tubing should be 12 to 18 inches apart under the
canopy of the tree. The length of tubing needed depends on how much water is
applied. When water is applied under medium trees, it should penetrate 18 – 24 inches
deep. When water is applied under large trees, it should penetrate 24 – 36
inches deep.
tubing is ideal for watering trees over 20 feet tall. A coil of drip tubing can
be placed under the canopy of a tree and enlarged as the tree gets bigger. The
embedded emitters in drip tubing should be 12 to 18 inches apart under the
canopy of the tree. The length of tubing needed depends on how much water is
applied. When water is applied under medium trees, it should penetrate 18 – 24 inches
deep. When water is applied under large trees, it should penetrate 24 – 36
inches deep.