The 10 Best Soaker Hoses for Your Garden
If you love to garden as much as I do, you know how important it is to keep your garden sufficiently watered.
Many gardeners strive for the best produce, and spend a lot of time managing and tending to their gardens. As any gardener will tell you, you’ll have to put a lot of time and energy into your crops to get the best outcome.
With so many different chores associated with a good garden, who wouldn’t want to simplify the process? A garden soaker hose will not only help to cut down on your daily chores, but will provide a beneficial service to your garden.
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Why You Need Soaker Hoses For Your Garden
If you’ve ever tended to a garden, you know how much work they require to stay healthy and grow fresh produce. With such a long list of chores, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to eliminate some of them?
Particularly the more tedious tasks. Watering a garden can be a daily chore for some, and the use of a properly installed soaker hose can reduce that need to a minimum.
Soaker hoses slowly distribute water to each of your plants, ensuring that they are evenly watered, but not over watered. Some soaker hoses distribute the water directly to the roots of the plants, which is not only efficient for the plants, but helps to reduce water waste in your garden.
Once you’ve properly installed a soaker hose system in your garden, watering becomes a hands-off task with the use of a timer. Or if you don’t want to use a timer, a simple turn of your water faucet will ensure that your plants are taken care of, just don’t forget to turn it back off later.
This is a good system for the gardener who wants to be a part of the garden’s everyday activities, but doesn’t want to spend time standing and spraying each and every plant.
The use of a garden soaker hose will not only save you time and energy, but will save you money by nearly eliminating water waste in your garden.
What Soaker Hose is Best?
Here are a few of the best soaker hoses to consider:
Rain Bird T22-250S Drip Irrigation 1/4" Blank Distribution Tubing
Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
Dramm 17010 ColorStorm Premium 50 Foot Soaker Garden Hose
Flexon 50-Foot Three Tube Sprinkler Hose FS50
Teknor Apex Apex, 1030-100, Soil Soaker Hose
…keep reading to find out the rest! And while you’re at it, check out this video with some helpful tips on how to install a soaker hose:
10 Best Soaker Hoses For Your Garden
This soaker hose is a good option for many different situations. It can be used above-ground, below-ground, as a main irrigation line, or as a branch-off of a larger system, making it a versatile option. It features a rugged yet flexible tubing that makes it easy to handle and unroll. The flexibility also makes it kink-free for a seamless installation process.
It also has a lot of value for the price when compared with other, similar options. Even with 250 feet of hose, this is one of the cheaper options while not falling short on capabilities.
Pros:
Versatile in functionality
Extra flexibility
Compatible with most adapters
Cons:
Must be heated to add connectors
If you want to bury your soaker hose in your garden, this is a great option. The Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose can be buried under a thin layer of soil, under manure, or under a mulch spread.
The flat design helps to keep the hose kink-free and in place during use, and is less likely to be affected by wind or animals. The design also makes this soaker hose unnoticeable while you garden, so you won’t be tripping over it while you pull weeds or harvest.
Pros:
Easily buried
Clog-resistant fabric cover
Provides a deep watering
Cons:
Not resistant to certain chemicals
3. Dramm 17010 ColorStorm Premium 50 Foot Soaker Garden Hose
Those who are worried about water waste when watering your garden should be impressed by this option. This soaker hose waters your plants thoroughly while using 90% less water than conventional watering. Its walls are 50% thicker than most other garden hoses on the market, which reduces the chance of water spraying out unnecessarily, causing waste.
Not only will this option save you from water waste, but it is made from recycled materials, making it one of the most eco-friendly options. If you’re still unsure, it comes with a lifetime guarantee to put your mind at ease.
Pros:
Uses less water, reducing waste
Made with high-grade rubber
Eco-friendly
Cons:
Thick tubing may need to be staked down
4. Flexon 50-Foot Three Tube Sprinkler Hose FS50
If you want a soaker hose that has more of a wide spray pattern, this may be a good option for you. This hose has a three-tube configuration that provides more holes and angles for watering. The hose also features the ability to sprinkle the plants with water or to aim the water directly at the plant base for a soaking experience.
It also has a removable cap which can be taken off to add additional hose for longer lengths, and for flushing mineral particles out of the line.
Pros:
Wide spray pattern
Ability to spray water up or down
Removable cap
Cons:
Not adaptable with other hose types
5. Teknor Apex Apex, 1030-100, Soil Soaker Hose
The Teknor Apex Apex Soil Soaker Hose directs water right to the roots, to ensure sufficient watering. It features weeping pores which provides an even watering, ensuring no weak spots or areas that are overwatered. The hose is a flexible material making it easier to handle and install. Once placed, the hose lays flat and does not bunch up, making placement a quick and easy process.
On top of that, this hose uses 30% less water by aiming water directly at the root and eliminating waste. It also comes with a 7 year guarantee to ensure you remain happy with the product.
Pros:
Waters directly at the root
Weeping pores for even watering
Lays flat
Cons:
Not chemical resistant
6. One Stop Gardens FBA_97193 ¾ in x 50ft. Flat Seeper Soaker Hose
Here’s another good option if you want your soaker hose to “weep” water as opposed to spraying or trickling. Since this hose waters the roots directly, it eliminates any possibility of plant damage due to a direct spray of water.
With this hose, you can use miser discs to restrict water flow up to 75%, allowing for adjustability when needed for certain plants.
The material is a heavy-duty woven nylon hose, making it extra durable.
Pros:
Extra durable
Lies flat on the ground
Can be used with mister discs
Cons:
Heavy to move around the garden
7. Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose
This is another great option if you are looking for a soaker hose that saves water and is not wasteful. The Rocky Mountain Good Soaker Hose can save up to 70% more water than a traditional watering system, and waters at the source, making it ideal for gardening.
This hose features quick-attach fittings for easy connections onto additional soaker hoses for added length, and these reinforced fittings are included. The fittings make lengthening your soaker hose quick and easy.
Pros:
Quick connect fittings
Saves water
Easy to lengthen
Cons:
Does not have flow regulator option
8. Swan Products MGSPA38050CC Miracle-GRO Soaker System Customizable Hose
This soaker hose releases water with a range of .5 to 1 gallon of water per foot, straight to the roots, to ensure sufficient watering without damaging the plants. This is a system that is meant to be buried either right under the soil or mulch, and may not be ideal for surface use.
This hose is 3/8” in diameter and includes connectors, making it easy to add length if needed.
Pros:
Uses 70% less water than traditional watering
Includes connectors for adding length
Meets lead-free standards
Cons:
May not be ideal for surface use
9. Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
Here’s another option for a flat soaker garden hose that can be buried under a thin layer or soil or mulch or can be placed above the ground, the flat shape reduces the possibility of tripping over it while gardening.
This hose lays flat and is easy to lay without bunching or kinking. It is also easy to store since it flattens completely.
It also includes a rust-resistant cap that allows for easy connecting, making it quick and simple to add length to your soaker hose.
Pros:
Extremely flexible and versatile
Waters gently with little waste
Includes extra washers for leak-free seal
Cons:
Not freeze-resistant
10. Water Right Polyurethane Lead Safe Soaker Hose
If you want a more heavy-duty soaker hose that’s durable in all weather conditions, this is a good option for you. The hose is made from a polyurethane material, making it flexible and durable. It has lead-free brass fittings that will not tarnish and will last longer than a traditional fitting.
One of the features that this hose provides is staying flexible in all weather conditions, even in freezing temperatures, making it ideal for climates that may reach freezing temperatures occasionally in the spring.
Pros:
Lightweight but durable
Drinking water safe product
Freeze resistant
Cons:
Seeps heavy amounts of water
Buying Guide: What to Look For in Soaker Hoses
When deciding which soaker hose is the best option for your garden, there are a few key points to consider.
Hose Shape: Flat vs. Round
One of the first things to consider when choosing a soaker hose is what hose shape will work best for your garden. There are advantages and disadvantages to having a flat, or round hose for your garden.
If you want to bury your soaker hose, the flat hoses are easiest to bury, you can simply bury them under a thin layer or dirt, or under a layer of mulch. Although some round soaker hoses are able to be buried, they are generally better if you want to leave your soaker hose on the surface.
Round hoses are generally heavier, and can stay in-place if left on the surface. One more thing to consider with hose shape is storage. If you are picking-up and storing your hose after each season, the flat hoses are easiest to store, as they fold-up and take up minimal space. A round hose would need to be rolled onto a reel to be properly stored.
Water Delivery Method
Although all soaker hoses are made for watering your plants, there are two main delivery methods.
Most soaker hoses mention“weeping” water directly to the roots of the plant, ensuring all water coming from the hose is delivered directly to the source. One benefit of weeping water is that this will not damage your plants.
For some plants, a direct watering may cause harm to delicate leaves or stems. The other method is spraying the water from small holes throughout the hose to give the plants a more traditional watering. This method is slightly less efficient in delivering water to your plants, but if you want to ensure that your soaker hose is doing its job, this may be the route you want to go.
Diameter
Another factor that you may want to consider is the diameter of your hose. Depending on how much water you need to move and how quickly you want the water delivered, there are different diameters that work best.
If you have a small, simple garden, you may opt for a ¼” diameter that will be less noticeable in your garden, but will not be able to move as much water to your plants.
If you have a large garden plot where you will have branches off of your main line, you may want to consider a ½” diameter hose, which will work well with ¾” branch-off hoses.
Region
Although you will most likely only be using your soaker hose in the warmer months, there are some climates that are unpredictable. There are circumstances where spring will start, and you have some nice warm days, then suddenly, another freeze comes in.
If you live in one of the regions where this happens often, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you suspect this is a possibility where you live, you may want to consider a soaker hose that is freeze resistant, so that you won’t have to purchase another one when it warms back up.
Once you’ve evaluated your garden needs and region, you’ll start to pin down which garden soaker hoses are best for your situation. Then you can start to consider aspects such as price and durability to make your final decision.
Having a garden soaker hose will make your gardening life so much easier, and removes one of your daily chores from the seemingly endless list. With one less chore to worry about, you can spend more time on the gardening tasks that you most enjoy.
There you have it! Everything you need to know about soaker hoses. Have you used them before? Let me know how it went for you by chiming in below!
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