I used a soaker hose last year for the first time for tomatoes, beans, cukes, and cantaloupes. I'd water about twice a week, if there was no rain. A decent rain counts a a watering, so I'd wait 3-4 days after one before soaking again. Usually I'd leave the soaker running in the evenings for at least a few hours, even 4-5 wouldn't hurt. I do have very sandy soil, so the water would never pool and my soil dries out fairly fast. You'd have to adjust your watering to match your soil.

Another good idea is to let the plants tell you when they want water. If they are starting to droop, that means they need watering. They need more water when they are setting fruit. It's also a good idea to give them a good soaking when you do water. It's better to soak them thoroughly every 3-4 days than give them a bit of water every day.

Hope this helps.

Mike

You basically want about 1" of water for your veggies each week. So get a cheap rain gauge (you only need vague accuracy). Then turn on the soaker hose to add what is needed. It isn't as hard as it may seem, but it does take some trial and error.

You can put a shallow can under the soaker hose to get an idea how much water comes out of it per hour, for example. Or you can let the soaker hose run for a couple hours and then dig between plants to see how far the water soaked in (should be about 6 inches).

I mulch heavily with grass clippings that have been aged in piles until they lose heat first. It cuts way down on water needs and weeds.

hi, i just bought a 100 foot soaker hose and i have it running through my 4x12 raised bed. (on top of the soil.) i have onl a very light mulch because i am still raising some vegetables from seeds and they are very tiny and i didn't want 2-3 inches of mulch to bury the seedlings. once they are to size, i will put down mulch and probably bury the hose under the mulch.

i am confused on how to use soaker hose... my spacing is about 2 feet apart which should be fine. i read that these hoses will soak one foot in each direction. however, when i left mine on for an hour or so, it only soaked about one inch to each side of the hose. it appears like it only soaks below the hose and not to the sides, and so there were many dry spots in my garden. any advice would be appreciated...

We have been using a soaker hose for three years , actually after my wife suggested it and it was a godsend. year before last we yielded so many tomatoes that two or three pickings were at least 12 pounds each time not including all the couple tomatoes here couple tomatoes there and I only have eight plants. Last year due to an issue with our timer it was only running once a week as some of these people are suggesting twice a week, the plants got stunted and it took me 3 to 4 weeks to get them back but by then it was too late in the season. Our tomatoe plants are within 3 feet of the siding of our house and receive some serious heat during the summer. I set my timer for 45 minutes twice a day every day I cut back the water pressure with the splitter to about a third of what it should be running and the soil has clay, compost manure and some mulch. We have the hose right against the base of the plants, from what I've seen I would suggest a chance of overwatering versus underwatering, until you find what you believe is the right amount of water doing the math I would guess we use 20 gallons a day small price to pay for your own tomatoes. Our couple of tomato plants thar are actually next to the chimney which gets even hotter have produced tomatoes when you cut a slice and it covers and extends beyond a piece of bread at least half an inch on each side they get super huge I don't know why but the soaker hose works well, don't tell my wife that I gave her credit :-)