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Sprinkler for the veg patch.

CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455
in Tools and techniques
Having dug up some quite warty potatoes, I'm blaming lack of water.  I would like to drip feed but it's not practical so I'm looking for a sprinkler that could sit in the middle of the bed and get hooked up to the hose as needed.  Anyone got one they think is great? 
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,852
    Go for a seep hose instead.   All the water will go to the roots and less be lost to evaporation or falling where it's not needed.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 696
    Spraying potatoes with a sprinkler might leave them more open to getting blight damage as well so feeding the roots with water directly is a much better approach in my opinion.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,942
    Soaker hose is the best way to go, as mentioned.  Easy to set up before or after planting seasonally, can be hooked up to the hose or set on a timer - my personal choice.  I just wander by occasionally to weed or harvest.
    Utah, USA.
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455
    Do you keep it on all the time?  My problem is the veg is a long way from the tap.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,942
    It's turned on at the tap, but only comes on at the times/days I've set.  I have a normal hose connecting the soaker hose to the tap, so water isn't wasted.  I've taken it around the edge next to the fence in the grass so it's not across the lawn or in the way.  Get a green or black hose and soon it will be unnoticeable.  I'm just careful when I strim there, but it's well below the level of my mower so I can go right over the top.  
    Utah, USA.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,852
    My veg plot is 60 metres from the house and the beds with soaker hoses further still within.  I have hose pipes linked up down the garden to get there and then switch between the soaker hoses in a rota.   One day I'll get a water pipe buried between the house and the potager and things will be easier but it works and the water goes exactly where I want it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455
    Im glad I asked about this because I'm now cutting scorched leaves off my cucumbers so I am having a school day!! 😁

    I already have a seep hose that I wrote off as rubbish at my last house but I'll dig it out and apply with renewed enthusiasm.  I have already set up a relay of hoses and we chop and change between watering (tap) and pond filling (butt) so I think a dedicated design that doesn't have to be packed away when I mow is needed.  Thanks for your input and encouragement team, off to do some measuring! 😁
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,455
    I've done the measuring @Obelixx and to trail a dedicated hose for choice of hookup at the source, then round the conservatory, over a patio (maybe I can go under or bury at the edge of the flags), then down the fencing/hedge and terminate at the pond is 40 metres.  I then need an additional hookup down to the veg/compost area of 20 - 30 metres. 

    Did you buy large lengths of hose to fit?
    Does it need to be specially insulated or spadeproof?
    Is your pressure still good after such lengths of pipe?
    Am I overthinking this? 

    Ha ha, no really I'm interested to hear from someone who's done it before I invest.  Thanks in advance for any insight or brands etc.


  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,942
    edited August 2020
    Those little Y hose attachments are your friend.  I have one on my tap and have a normal hose attached to one side and my timer switch with three hoses to the other.  I would put one at your pond spot and another at your veg compost area.  You can leave a short length of hose leading to the pond.. and another short bit to your compost.  That way you don't have to attach/unattach things constantly.
    Utah, USA.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,852
    @Cloggie At the mo I have 3 hose pipes trailing down the garden and attached with connectors.  I connect and disconnect as needed because, on the way down the garden I have a nursery of pots, potting shed, a newly planted bed and then the potager.

    I have a female "stop" connector on the end of each hose pipe so I can connect and disconnect as I need without spraying water everywhere.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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