Re: Irrigation by leaky pipe
- To:
- Subject: Re: Irrigation by leaky pipe
- From: h*@mindspring.com
- Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 16:52:48 -0500
Bob, I think you are referring to 'soaker' hose.
The walls are porous, and when connected to a
faucet pressure forces water slowly through the
pores as long as it is on. Because the flow is
slow, the soil can absorb the water without
running off. But you have to control it to
provide the amount of water needed. It is
inexpensive, puts the water on the ground where
its needed with minimum evaporation, and as noted,
matches the rate the soil can handle it. Two
things, though: if your water has much dissolved
minerals it will plug up eventually, and the hose
material breaks down in sunlight over a couple of
years. Mulch over the hoses takes care of the
sunlight. Drip irrigation does the same type of
watering. It costs a little more, but is more
controllable and flexible. I have used both. One
feature of drip is that you can use solid hose
through areas you do not want watered, and connect
hose with molded-in or plug-in emitters where you
do want water. And emitters come in a range of
flow rates. Use higher rates on sandy soil and
lower rates for heavy soil. Pressure compensated
emitters also are available for a little more
money. They help with extensive systems and when
there are slopes by keeping the flow rate
constant. You will find the flow rate in a soaker
hose is highest at the beginning, and drops along
its length because the pressure falls.
Hal Lanktree
Rochester, Michigan (Zone 5b)
hlanktree@mindspring.com
>
>What about so-called "leaky pipe", the
rough-surfaced hose from recycled
>tires. I have read good things about it, but not
tried it. It is said to leak
>out just as much water as the plants need, and no
more, working on the
>principle of capillary attraction. Which I
understand to mean that as the
>plants suck the water out of the ground, the then
dry ground sucks the water
>out of the leaky pipe to become wet again.
>
>Does any one know about this, and have good or
bad things to say about it?
>
>Regards,
>Bob Stelloh
>
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