The value of watering depends on the ability of your soil to soak up water and for small plants it is best to have the hose at a slow trickle and allow the water to run for 1-2 minutes and 5-10 minutes for larger plants and trees. This makes sure that the water soaks at least 6” down into the soil and that the roots get enough moisture.
In order to ensure that plants are constantly given the amount of water they require it is a good idea to use a
Soaker Hose. This type of hose comes in a kit form and is often termed a
Weeping Watering System. The value of the soaker hose is that it is easy to install and simple to use, it can be installed on a temporary or permanent basis, can be used in the greenhouse or the garden or from a water butt and is also able to be used during hosepipe bans. It can simply be woven through the flowers or garden area requiring water and the entire area can be watered by simply turning on the tap. The Soaker Hose is a controlled method of watering that uses up to 70% less water than conventional methods as well as reducing evaporation and run-off. As the water fills the hose, pressure builds up and expands the hose wall opening the tiny holes that weep water slowly to saturate the ground at the plants’ roots. If you want to sophisticate the system a timer could be introduced which would allow watering to take place regularly even when on holiday