Written by Heather Blackmore and Glenda Taylor | Published at 11:33 PM, March 22, 2020

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When it comes to plants, two things are important: sunlight and water. Whether you have a tall vegetable garden or a mixed border of trees, shrubs and perennials, drinking water regularly during the hot and dry months is good for everything.

However, once the high temperatures come in July, the likelihood of weekly rains is similar to that of a snowstorm in mid-August. At this time the suction pipe comes in handy. Soaking hoses allows users to choose to water plants through a "set and forget it" watering system, thereby reducing the pressure to keep the garden alive and healthy.

Ideally, the garden needs about 1 inch of water (per week) to thrive, and soaking hoses are a good way to ensure that your plants won’t run out of water. The best suction hose may vary from gardener to gardener, depending on budget, size, and whether it is placed on top of the soil or buried in the ground.

The following list can help gardeners find the best suction hose for their yard or garden, so please read on for the best options and tips on how to keep vegetation alive and healthy.

Traditional sprinklers spray water. On particularly hot days, some water may evaporate before falling to the ground, thus wasting precious water. Using traditional garden hoses with nozzles may reduce some water waste, but not all.

With a soaking hose, the water will soak directly into the root zone (hence the name), allowing the plant to slowly absorb water. Since soaking hoses do not spray plant leaves, they significantly reduce the risk of plants developing fungal problems usually associated with saturated leaves.

Before ordering the suction hose, please consider what it is made of, and whether its size and type fit the expected space.

The soaking hose is made of recycled rubber, polyurethane and flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which allows water to penetrate directly into the soil around the plants through tiny holes.

High-end immersion hoses may also contain fiber-reinforced materials, making them durable and suitable for many years of use, and able to withstand strong water pressure.

Cheaper models may use thinner vinyl materials and are usually only used for one season - or two seasons at most - but need to be replaced when the vinyl becomes brittle or cracks.

Soaking hoses come in a variety of sizes, from as short as 15 feet for small flower beds to 100 feet or even longer, making them suitable for large perennial borders or long rows of summer vegetables.

The diameter of the hose can also vary, ranging from ⅜ inch to 1 inch. Larger diameter hoses usually have more perforations or drainage holes, so they can quickly transport large amounts of water. Larger hoses require more water pressure than narrow immersion hoses. (See the "Pressure Rating" section below.)

The larger the hose, the heavier it is. The weight of the hose depends on the material of which the hose is made. Generally speaking, heavier rubber hoses are more likely to stay in place, while lightweight vinyl hoses may bend or move under water pressure.

Buried any soaking hose under a mulch that is 1 to 2 inches thick will help hold it in place. The mulch will also help prevent moisture from the soil from evaporating.

When choosing between flat or round suction hoses, keep the following points in mind.

For many gardeners, the flat soaking hose is just the ticket to water the long, straight vegetables grown in summer. Even so, flat hoses have their disadvantages. The drain holes are not located on all sides of the hose, but usually (though not always) only on one side of the hose.

Winding a flat hose can cause kinks, which can restrict water flow. The flat suction hose is available in vinyl, rubber, PVC and polyurethane materials. They are best arranged along straight garden rows, rather than meandering around the base of plants, trees, and shrubs.

Round soaking hoses are more versatile because they can be used for straight travel and can meander around various shrubs and trees, usually without kinking. Round immersion hoses tend to be more flexible and durable, and although they may be more expensive at first, they usually last longer than flat vinyl hoses, so they may be worth the money in the long run. Both types of hose can be buried in a 1 to 2 inch thick covering.

Expect a typical suction hose to soak an average of 6 to 12 inches on both sides of the hose. However, the coverage area also depends on the duration of the watering cycle. Compared to a watering cycle of only 30 minutes, a watering cycle of 1 hour results in a wider spread of water.

Many immersion hoses do not have a pressure rating, but the water pressure (in pounds per square inch (psi)) is still worth considering. The longer and wider the immersion hose, the greater the water pressure required to evenly distribute the water to the hole at the end of the hose, so it may require the user's outdoor faucet to produce at least 60 psi of water.

On the other hand, a short and thin vinyl hose may not be able to withstand a water pressure of 60 psi; it may be more suitable for a pressure of only 10 psi. Generally speaking, suction hoses made of polyurethane, PVC and rubber can withstand higher pressures than suction hoses made of vinyl.

Instead of worrying about the water pressure at the faucet (in most cases, this is enough to run the soaking hose, unless it is abnormally low), it is a good idea for gardeners to conduct some experiments when using the hose for the first time.

After laying the immersion hose and before covering it with a covering, turn on the water-slightly-to see if it is enough to allow the water to seep out of the hole at the far end of the hose. If not, gradually increase the water pressure at the faucet until the water flows out of the hole.

Once the water comes out of the hole, note how far the faucet has been turned, using similar pressure each time. Raising the water pressure with full force may create excessive pressure in the hose, leading to premature failure due to rupture.

Although relatively rare, as long as the faucet is in the "on" position and the hose (or more likely an underground sprinkler system) is pressurized, it is possible for water to flow back into the faucet from the pressurized hose or sprinkler system. This can only happen when the faucet is turned on. When it is in the "off" position, no water flows in or out.

The water in the soaking hose is not considered "drinkable", which means that it may be contaminated by soil or fertilizer that enters the hose through the drain hole, making it unsuitable for drinking.

To prevent backflow pollution, users can install a backflow prevention device between the faucet and the hose to prevent the water in the hose from entering the domestic water supply system. The backflow preventer is a simple and inexpensive accessory, which is worthy of peace of mind for users.

Even water dispersion is the most important quality to look for, and the best soaking hose will distribute water to all plants along its entire length. Buyers should look for anti-kink technology, leak-free connections, and ensure the proper hose length to determine the most suitable suction hose for their yard or garden.

Unlike other soaking hoses that contain unsafe chemicals, Water Right Soaker Garden Hose is made of FDA-grade polyurethane. The brass fittings are lead-free, which makes the hose safe for the vegetable garden and anyone who is thirsty.

The flexible design means that gardeners can place hoses even in cold weather; stress relief at both ends prevents kinks, so water flows uninterrupted from the tap. The uniform pressure over the entire length of the hose ensures continuous watering of the plants, and the UV stability prevents the hose from degrading due to direct sunlight.

Available in lengths of 25 feet, 50 feet and 100 feet, there are sizes suitable for most garden applications.

Regardless of whether the Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose is on the ground or under a thin covering, the anti-clogging recycled vinyl material ensures the continuous flow of water and is covered with fabric to protect it from UV rays. The drip watering method limits the amount of water lost by evaporation, so that more water can be slowly and gently transported to the root system of the plant.

This 50-foot hose is lightweight due to its size and can be laid flat for easy placement around plants during the growing season and storage in the off-season. When in use, the hose will be filled with water, and the water will slowly seep into the ground.

For best results, use cheap 6-inch U-shaped landscape staples to fix the soaking hose around seedlings and other plants. If the hose moves, these plants may be damaged. Gilmour Flat Weeper is also available in 25-foot and 75-foot lengths.

This tough suction hose can withstand up to 60 psi water pressure without cracks or cracks. The H2O WORKS heavy-duty soaking hose is made of soft, high-strength PVC, and its flat design disappears once it is filled with water.

Under pressure, H2O WORKS becomes a round soaking hose with drainage holes all around. Therefore, unlike other flat hoses, it is suitable for winding around the base of bushes and trees. When the hose needs to be stored, it will flatten again to facilitate rolling and take up minimal storage space.

This flexible suction hose is 50 feet long and ½ inch in diameter. It is infused with ultraviolet protectant to resist damage caused by strong sunlight, and has durable brass end fittings that can withstand the test of time without rust or warping.

BUYOKAY soaking hose is made of flexible rubber material, designed to wrap around the bottom of bushes or trees without kinking. Alternatively, the user can straighten it to water rows of plants or perennial borders.

This 100-foot-long suction hose (other lengths are also available) is black and contains UV protectants, which keep it soft and strong even in direct sunlight. It is made of flexible recycled rubber and can be deployed relatively simply once it gets hot.

The hose has a diameter of ½ inch and is resistant to kinking, making it ideal for gardens or flower beds where the hose is twisted for watering. For ease of placement, place the suction hose in the sun for 30 minutes on warm days to soften it-this will make it easier to handle.

If you want to install a customized drip irrigation system, you can cut and connect BUYOKAY hoses with internal hose adapters and clamps (not included) to create complex watering configurations.

Many soaking hoses do not allow users to control the speed at which they drain water from the tap and distribute it to the plants, but the one-stop garden flat soaking hose is an exception. Gardeners may wish to slow down the water flow so that the plants have more time to fully absorb the last drop of water.

This 50-foot immersion hose comes with three water-limiting washers, each of a different diameter. The largest allowable maximum amount of water enters the hose when it leaves the tap.

Nylon hose is very suitable for wrapping new and built beds, and works best when fixed in place with landscape nails to avoid damaging seedlings and seedlings when the hose is moved.

Drip irrigation is the best solution for vegetables or flowering plants and shrubs, and the 50-foot Water Right Soaker Garden Hose is a durable option that consistently soaks plants along its length. For a more affordable option, we chose Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose, which also has 50 feet and other lengths.

When watering the plants in the summer, win the game slowly and steadily. The best soaking hose can transport stable water droplets along its path, minimizing water evaporation and spraying plants. We carefully analyzed the material, size and weight of the available soaking hoses to select a range of products. We also chose round and flat hoses, each of which has advantages and disadvantages for users and coverage areas. Finally, we looked at the choice of pressure level, flow consistency or flow rate to compile this list of the best soaking hoses.

Direct water to the roots of plants instead of sprinkling water on the leaves indiscriminately, thus concentrating the water where it is most needed. It also provides some other benefits.

Saving water, reducing garden and landscape maintenance time, and improving plant quality are all excellent reasons to use soaking hoses. The new gardener may have other problems.

The soaking hose has drainage holes along its entire length, while the drip hose has a solid tube with an attached drip emitter that can be custom-installed to direct water to the bottom of a single bush or plant.

The amount of water used may vary depending on the length and type of soaking hose, but generally speaking, a 50-foot hose will dispense approximately 30 gallons of water in 1 hour.

In a typical growth situation, using the soaking hose twice a week, about 30 minutes each time is sufficient. Water less during rainy or cool seasons, and water more frequently during droughts. In addition, please consider adding mulch around the base of the plant to prevent the moisture in the soil from evaporating quickly.

Twice a week, about 30 minutes each time. Watering less is usually better than watering more.

As long as the outdoor faucet has enough pressure to deliver water to the end hole on the farthest hose, two or more immersion hoses can be connected end to end at will.

Bob Vila has been an American handyman since 1979. As the host of the beloved groundbreaking TV series, including "The Old House" and "Bob Villa's House", he is popular and has become synonymous with "do it yourself" home improvement.

Throughout his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair and live better every day-a tradition that continues to this day, providing professional and easy-to-understand home advice. The Bob Vila team distilled the information they need to know into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101, etc. Then, these family and garden experts thoroughly research, review, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

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