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Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Now that I am sure that I won't see any more snow for a couple of months, I am thinking about watering.

I have a small patch. So, hose watering by hand never took very long. But, I'd like to use a more automatic an consistent method. Plus, I had big problems with mildew last year.

So, I'd like to try some sort of drip or soaker system. Does anybody use this kind of system? I am not looking for anything too fancy. But, I am weary about some of the internet irrigation stores. I want to be able to design on the fly with whatever is easily available at nearby hardware stores. If I find that I need a part, I want to be able to just run out and get it without waiting for it in the mail.

Anybody know somewhere in Ontario (hopefully near Toronto North) where I can get some t-tape or something like it? I think places like Home Depot carry stuff from Orbit. But, I am really looking for something with inline emitters so that I don't need to fool with punching holes and protruding parts which can break off.

4/8/2005 12:56:37 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Marc

I use sprinkler hoses turned upside down and bury them about 3" below the surface. I weave them throughout the growing area. I have 50 gal barrels on stands (1 1/2 ft high)with taps on the bottom. I just turn on the tap and let them flow out. It takes about 2- 2 1/2 hours to empty the barrels. Works for me.

Phil

4/8/2005 6:30:53 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I've used soaker hoses (cheap) and also just weave them in and around the patch. You can then set it up with a fertilizer injector and a auto-timer and not worry about watering if you go away for a day or tw0. Plain old soaker hoses fitted together work just fine.

Glenn

4/8/2005 11:06:56 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Ah, sprinkler hoses! I have those already. So, that's a good option. But, don't they get clogged?

Soaker hoses may be a good option. I saw some cheap ones. Although, that would rob me of the fun of putting together a drip system :-)

Wait a minute. Are we using "sprinkler hoses" and "soaker hoses" interchangably? I would call the flat hoses that spray out "sprinler" and the hoses that slowly weep water "soaker."

What do you think are the prospects of the plant surviving about five days on its own with timed watering? I will probably be out with my family the second week in June. So, there wouldn't be anybody at home to keep an eye on it.

4/8/2005 11:44:00 AM

Ontario

I've tried soaker hoses and found that they clog up in a matter of weeks. That's probably because we're on well water. I use the same system as Copper using sprinkler (you can see the jets of water come out if connected to pressurized water)hoses. They don't clog up at all. The only problem I've had using this system has been air locks. This can be fixed by bleeding the hose by taking the screw cap off the end of the hose and waiting until water starts to stream out. This system works well for me.

4/8/2005 3:47:13 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I've used the same soaker (the ones that weep) hoses for 3 years now without a problem and have hooked them up to an e-z-flow fertilizer injector. We have good water pressure and I've not had any clog yet (that I know of) and I give them a good flushing out at the end of each year before rolling them up for storage.

Glenn

4/9/2005 11:16:31 AM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

I am thinking about putting in a drip tape system this spring. I work for the Co-op and I have a Co-op buddy up at Harriston that sells this stuff. He is pricing out a sysem for me as we speak. E-mail me privetly and i will get you more info.
John

4/10/2005 8:15:05 AM

Brooklin, Ontario, Canada

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but you might want to try this site:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&cat=2,2280&p=49657

5/4/2005 8:34:05 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Yeah, I've been looking at their dripline kit for $55 which I think is made by RainDrip. But, I would probably need two or three of them. Or, I may just combine one kit with some soaker hoses. It may be worth the money for more than one because I could use the extra header hose in the rest of our yard and garden and the add-on drippers and minisprinklers are cheap. I'm just trying to avoid going to Lee Valley to buy it because I know that I'll get caught walking around the store and won't be able to keep myself from buying all of the other cool stuff that they have (like this, which might work perfectly installed in a pumpkin mound: http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&cat=2,2280,33159&p=10392)

5/4/2005 2:08:31 PM