Disadvantages. Since soaker hoses have no emitters or control over how much water is released, there is a higher chance of overwatering or wasting water with this method than with drip irrigation systems.
Drip emitter tubing stands out for its resistance to clogging. It's engineered to reduce the likelihood of dirt and debris build-up, unlike soaker hoses which are more prone to clogging.
A soaker hose uses less water than a sprinkler because it gets to the roots of plants and deep as well. While a sprinkler is mostly wetting the surface and foliage, and some of the water is wasted by falling on non plant surfaces like walls and patio.
Start running your soaker hose about 30 minutes twice a week. After a watering day, check your soil to see if the moisture has penetrated several inches, then adjust accordingly. When you find the magic number for your conditions, use a timer to water the same number of minutes every time.
The major problem with soaker hoses is that they're composed of reconstituted rubber and will degrade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. Expect them to fall apart in a year and a half to two years, at most. An old soaker hose will exhibit small water fountains all along its length.
While round soaker hoses are bulkier, heavier, and harder to roll up than flat hoses, they are also easier to gently curve around your landscape, and they tend to last longer than flat soaker hoses.
Similar to a soaker hose is drip tape, a more lightweight product that works for row crops and raised beds. Easy and inexpensive – Simply attach to a garden spigot. Useful for small gardens – good alternative when drip is not a possibility.
Mornings and evenings are excellent times to water gardens when using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose. Watering in the evening isn't a problem as these methods don't wet plant foliage.
Water regularly.
Consistent watering produces stronger plants and larger fruit. In the height of summer, water two to three times a week.
The soaker hose will only deliver the water that's available: It weeps at an average of 0.5 gallon–1 gallon of water per foot per hour. For homes with high-pressure, high-flow systems (as high as 125 PSI in some cases), you might need to install a pressure regulator (sold separately).
Vinyl hoses aren't as durable as rubber hoses. A rubber garden hose requires the most upfront investment. They're tougher, more flexible and heavier than vinyl hoses. Overall, rubber hoses are more durable.
Always test the soaker hose system before you finalize the yard's appearance. Don't outright bury the hose in the soil. Cover it with mulch so the water can still seep through with ease.
Secure hoses in place with garden pins to keep them from shifting.
Soaker hose and mulching
A great trick for drier periods (assuming that there's enough water to spare for the garden) is to put the hose underneath the mulch. This will help prevent the water from evaporating, all of the water goes into the soil and it helps build a really nice water reservoir for the roots.
Soaker hoses are much more effective than hand watering. Gardeners rarely have the time or inclination to stand in one spot and apply water slowly by hand over an extended period of time. You can determine how long to leave a soaker hose this way: Allow the bed to become dry enough to need irrigation.
Polyethylene. Polyethylene is the go to tubing material for professional horticultural applications. It is easy to work with, extremely cost effective, lasts for many years with proper maintenance, and you can punch holes and drip emitters directly into it.
TOMATO WATERING TIPS
Water in the morning to the keep the soil moist through the heat of the day. Always water at the base of the plant — watering from above invites disease. Check tomatoes growing in pots often since they dry out quickly. Be consistent — fluctuations in water supply lead to cracking and blossom end ...
Nitrogen, potassium and magnesium deficiencies can cause older leaves to turn yellow. In the case of nitrogen deficiency, the entire leaf will yellow. Although tomatoes (like all plants) need nitrogen to grow, it's important not to be heavy-handed with the nitrogen fertilizer.
Overwatering generally makes the plant look almost like it's rotting, as in drooping and turning soggy brown. My guess is it is having Nitrogen problems. Any type of vegetable fertilizer you buy at the store should work fine.
Because soaker hoses emit water throughout their entire length, they take longer to deeply water garden beds. This makes these systems less water efficient than drip irrigation but still more efficient than sprinklers and hand watering. Not as long-lasting.
In hot weather you need to water in the mornings when it is cooler. This will allow more water to reach the root system before it evaporates in the heat. There may be times when you cannot schedule watering in the morning. In this case, water the plants in the late evening before bed.
The Soaker Hose creates a fine mist that's released from small holes along its body, whereas the Weeper hose allows water to seep directly into soil as it drips, or weeps, directly out of its body and downwards towards the surface.