Watering with a soaker hose

What is a porous hose?

A microporous hose is made from porous rubber. Finely perforated along its entire length, it allows water to seep gently through its micropores. Watering with this type of hose involves efficiently irrigating a planting area in a single operation, at very low pressure, directly at the base of the plants. This hose has the advantage of not wetting the foliage and therefore reducing the risk of cryptogamic diseases (fungal diseases), which often affect certain sensitive plants such as tomatoes, squashes and roses following overhead watering. This irrigation solution also helps to limit water wastage: water penetrates the soil slowly, giving plants time to absorb it, so there is no leaching of the soil. In addition, the soil remains loose and is not compacted thanks to the hose’s fine seepage, and no surface crust forms (a hard, impermeable crust that increases run-off). However, porous hoses do have a few minor drawbacks. Firstly, as they are thin to allow the water to seep through, they are less resistant than a conventional watering hose. In addition, water distribution is less even along the entire length: generally, more water flows out at the beginning of the hose than at the end.

Watering at the base of the plants

How to choose a soaker hose?

Soaker hoses are reasonably priced, ranging from €10 to €60 depending on the kits and whether or not accessories are included (tap connectors, various fittings). Lengths can range from 10 to 200 metres. Very long hoses should be cut into several sections. Joined together and laid alongside one another between rows of vegetables in a kitchen garden, for example, they form a circuit supplied by a single water inlet. Several plantings can then be watered simultaneously. Depending on the size of the garden, the hose can be adjusted to the desired length by cutting it or extending it. Note that manufacturers recommend maximum lengths that should not be exceeded. The most commonly available hose diameter is 12 mm internally, or 16 mm externally. Before buying, estimate approximately the distance to be watered. The hose must be longer than your measurement. In addition, the flow rate, generally stated on the packaging of each model, ranges from 1 to 10 litres of water per metre of hose per hour.

Soaker hose with fittings

Installing and using a porous soaker hose

Where and when should you install it?

This system is ideal for irrigating young hedges of shrubs, flower beds, borders, narrow plantings and rows of seedlings in the vegetable garden. It can remain in the same place from spring to summer, or be moved from one area to another over time, as you wish, to water other plantings. Install the hose after planting or sowing, before the plants become too large.

How do you connect it?

If your water supply is far from your planting area, your porous hose must be connected to a standard garden hose which, in turn, is connected to your tap. It can also be connected directly to the water supply if it is next to the area to be watered. A water butt used to collect rainwater can also supply the hose, provided that the tank is raised above the planting area to be watered.

The connectors fitted to the ends of the hose are often included in kits to make installation easier, such as the flow-control connector, which allows you to control and adjust the flow of water. Optional connectors in various shapes, such as elbow, T-shaped or Y-shaped connectors, make it possible to create an in-line watering system.

By adding a timer, you can schedule automatic watering of your garden at the most favourable times or when you are away.

How should you position it?

Thanks to its flexibility, the porous hose is easy to install. Once connected to the water supply or standard garden hose, unroll your hose and lay it in a straight line at the base of closely planted plants or along rows of seedlings. For more widely spaced plants or staggered plantings, arrange it in a zigzag between the crops. Check that the connector acting as a stopper at the end is securely attached.

Positioning hoses for in-line watering (photo NRCS Massachusetts – Flickr)

How do you water with a porous hose?

Very gently, barely turn on the water supply tap. As it operates at low pressure (0.5 to 1 bar), the tap must not be fully opened, as this could damage the porous hose. If water is expelled in the form of small jets, this means that the pressure is too high and you need to adjust the tap. Water should diffuse in the form of droplets along the entire length of the hose. Test the amount of water delivered to the plants over a set period by placing a large container between two plants and beneath the hose, then opening the valve. You can then check the flow rate and optimise the setting.

When and for how long should you water?

Morning and evening are the best times of day to switch on the watering system. As for the duration, 15 minutes is sufficient. Of course, this time should be adjusted according to the weather. In very dry or hot conditions, watering should be extended. To reduce evaporation, mulch is effective and does not interfere with the operation of the porous hose.

Can a porous hose be buried?

Depending on the brand, some hoses can be buried in a shallow trench a few centimetres deep and covered with a layer of uncompacted soil. If this information is not clearly stated on the packaging or in the instructions, we advise against burying it. Contact with the soil may clog the micro-perforations. However, it is perfectly possible to conceal it beneath mulch, such as flax mulch.

How to clean and maintain a porous hose properly?

The micro-perforations can become blocked by limescale in mains water or by small particles present in rainwater. Clean the hose twice a year: during use halfway through the season and before storing it for the winter. To do this, soak it for around ten hours in a mixture of water (5 litres) and white vinegar (1 litre). Once the limescale has dissolved, rinse the hose thoroughly, empty it completely and leave it to dry before storing it by coiling it up. Store it flat, preferably.

Tip: If your hose is connected to a rainwater tank, place a nylon stocking at the start of the circuit to act as a filter.