Agro Commodities & Agricultural Produts

5 Responses

1. AZ Roger Said,

   We have used soaker hoses for years for a long hedge area. Local suppliers no longer make a 5/8 inch and now only provide 1/2 inch, and either side wear out in a few years. In addition, when new, they spray a little up as well as drip down.

   This Dramm Premium hose is about twice the prices – but it has a lifetime guarantee, it is 5/8 inch, it is double walled, it does not spray up, and it waters straight down as soaking. It is greatl I expect it to last a log time so the extra price will pay for itself over time. Even if a shorter life, the product works as it should and not the current cheap and poor quality competetive products on the market.
   Rating: 5 / 5

   Posted on August 28th, 2010 at 9:22 am

2. P. Lee Said,

   I have used a number of lighter duty soaker hoses that were adequate, but not great meaning that they would spray thin streams if the water pressure was too high and put out more water volume at one end or the other. This Dramm 50-foot and the 25-foot version which I have also tried and am currently using performs as described. They both soak and do not spray and put out water uniformly along their entire lengths. Highly Recommended.
   Rating: 5 / 5

   Posted on August 28th, 2010 at 10:58 am

3. green Husker Said,

   Using this hose (many, actually) to irrigate the numerous shrub and perimeter beds on around our home. (about 1/3-acre, not an expansive property.) I love Dramm, finding their products superior to others I’ve tried over the years. (soaker hoses, as well as Dramm’s other irrigation tools.)

   Have permanently installed these, laid atop the soil over the root zones of azaleas, acubas, cleyeras, etc., pinned down with steel L-shaped stakes, then covered with mulch and compost. Covering the hoses not only makes the beds more attractive and hides the hoses, but also retains the water used, for further conservation.

   Our landscape has an in-ground sprinkler system, but my goal is to use that for watering only the turf areas, utilizing these soaker hoses to maintain the non-turf areas, about half of the total area. Sod requires too much water in our area, (north central Texas,) and I know much of the water used to maintain the more moisture-sensitive shrubs, such as azaleas, is wasted when running the sprinklers. Multiple soaker hoses can be connected to each other for longer runs, and sometimes using multiple shorter hoses instead of one very loooong one can be beneficial in the event the hose(s) must be moved for some reason. Simply disconect one or two 50-footers, instead of one 100-footer.

   I have different beds connected together with sections of regular garden hose, and have either buried the regular hose just beneath the sod across the lawn area, or covered with mulch in a non-sodded area. This allows me to water one entire side of the yard at once, instead of having to connect/disconnect various hoses from the spigot(s). A ‘Y’ connector here and there allows the branching of a couple of soaker hoses to different areas for greater coverage.

   Two more suggestions for anyone contemplating a project such as this: replace the black pvc cap(s) on these hoses with brass caps, usually available at your local hardware store. If you live in a climate where the hoses will be left outside in the winter, eventually the plastic caps will crack and degrade, resulting in leaks. Plastic caps will also break if stepped on, or run over with the mower or other lawn equipment. Brass quick-disconnects are also invaluable for any gardener who uses hoses and various watering devices. Don’t bother with the cheapo plastic versions…. they don’t last long and can’t be left outside in freezing weather. Except for occasionally replacing the rubber washers, brass connectors last indefinitely, and are well worth the higher initial cost. Just make sure the male and female components are made by the same manufacturer; one brand may not crossover (fit) another brand, so buy a female coupler for each spigot or hose end, and one male end for each watering tool or hose-end device. And get a couple extra male ends in case you buy more watering tools, but don’t forget to remove these brass pieces in the even you have to replace a worn-out hose or tool.

   And finally, if your municipality uses the Water Department as a profit center like ours does, water conservation is not only beneficial to the planet, but beneficial to your pocketbook as well.
   Rating: 5 / 5

   Posted on August 28th, 2010 at 1:26 pm

4. R. Goudreau Said,

   Very good soaker hose, though stiffer than I expected. That is probably due to its greater wall thickness, which is a big plus, and why I bought it. I wish it was available in a 75 foot length to better fit my garden, but no other soaker hoses are, either.
   Rating: 4 / 5

   Posted on August 28th, 2010 at 2:29 pm

5. Esther Hollyweather Said,

   Due to the rainfall in my area, I have only had to use this a few times this summer. But it performs exactly as advertised. The drip is even and the hose seems sturdy.
   Rating: 5 / 5

   Posted on August 28th, 2010 at 3:16 pm