Let's Talk about Gardens

@funcountess The thing about soaker hoses is that you have to run the water at a very low pressure. When I turn mine on, I look to see if there are any holes spraying out. If there are, I keep lowering the pressure until there are no fountains. I try to adjust the pressure so the hose only soaks and doesn't sprinkle.

I'm not buying soakers from stores anymore. I look online for higher quality ones. I can't pull up in my mental computer where I've found them, but I'll Google it and get back to you.

Jim

Hi Jim, thanks for the soaker hose information. My hoses are regular garden hoses, somehow they get bridle, and they open up at the seams. They are used for washing down driveway, patios,wash the car,etc.
I bought them at Lowe’s, spent over $65.00 for each one, and after just 2 years they are shot.
The 3 rd one is o.k. Just tried it out,but I cannot keep dragging the one good one around the property.
Since I was hit with the Wolsey Canyon Fire in November 2018, the work to my home is going to resume in 10 days, and I know I will need a working hose for the construction
People.
Getting a good 3rd one would be o.k. Going on line to order one, so when you have time I would appreciate it if you could remember the place you got yours.
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
I think you are a master Gardner/landscaper. You could teach my Gardner’s a thing or two.
I have a feeling your property is picture perfect.
Take care,
Funcountess

@funcountess Big property, big cost.

I find 4 possibilities, listed in order of quality (in my opinion):

Water Right
Osmile
Teknor Apex
Flexon at Lowe's - light duty, cheaper

If you pay more, the hose will last much, much longer. I see that you can get most of them on Amazon, some on eBay and some from garden stores.

If I have a hose that has just one leak, I keep couplers to mend it.

Good luck.

Jim

@funcountess Hoses (not soakers) are available at any home improvement store. Remember, you get what you pay for. I also have repaired hoses, and I only use brass couplers. Most of my hoses I've bought at Costco, and you can probably order them online if there isn't a store available. I haven't counted how many hoses I have, but lots.

Jim

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the info. The one hose that has at least 20 leaks is a teknor apex, and the one I tossed last week was also a teknor apex. I thought paying $65.00 for each hose 2 years ago was expensive. I guess not?
Tomorrow I’ll go to Lowe’s and see what they have with at least a 5 year warranty.
I hate to think I will need to pay over $75.00 for a single garden hose.
I’ll also try amazon for the other hose I’ll.need. Yes,couplers work for one leak.
Take care,
Funcountess

@funcountess I have issues with leaking hoses as well. It has gotten better since I buy the 5-yr warranty ones and keep them rolled up out of the light (mine are on huge reels) when not in use. I learned to keep the package and receipt for each hose and soaker hose (I have a hook in my shed where each pkg with receipt stapled to it are hung.) I use hose timers for watering, timers and pumps in my pond, and landscape lights & do the same - buy best quality & save receipts. Every year I have to return/replace some of the items that are still under warranty. It's a bother, but a lot cheaper than constant replacement. Just noticed last night that some of the lights, bought last July & only used until October before storing, are not working...boo!
On a happy note, my diggers came and took almost a third of the plants that needed to be taken out. Probably would have taken more, but after 1/2 hour it was pouring - guess I'll repost on another site for later next week. Easiest way EVER to control the gardens.
Unfortunately the much needed rain also put an end to planting in my patio pots - probably until Monday if the weather guesser is right.
Happy gardening
Sue

@funcountess I would say that $65 for a hose is excessive, unless, as @sueinmn said, keep the receipt. I've never paid that much for a hose. Could you look at Ace Hardware online?

Jim

Does anyone know if a Japanese maple will come back after being stressed and pretty much dying? The one that came with the house is in a big pot, and now has a couple of small shoots down towards the bottom. If it can't be saved I see no reason to keep this on the back patio, make room for other things! Thanks in advance.
Ginger

@gingerw I used to have a Japanese maple. I love it because it changes color in the fall and really pretty. Don't know what you mean by stressed. I'm not a gardener like alot of you are, but if there are green shoots coming out, it probably is not dead. Can you put it in the ground?

Hi Sue,
Thanks for the excellent advice. I did have the hoses outer wrapper that is how I knew they were teknor apex brand, what I did not have is the receipts from Lowe’s.
The hose I tossed last week had a big leak, and the one I wanted to use today had about20 leaking spots. It looked like ol faithful. I saw the hose seam opened up.
The 3 rd hose is o.k.,but too heavy to move around.
I keep the hoses in the garage on the reels also.
They may of gone bad since they were in the Wolsey Canyon Fire. It’s something I do not know.
My water feature in the backyard is new. The last one was ruined in the fire. Pump was ruined, and feature burned. I have large tarps for this new one, and keep everything covered all winter. Yes, the insurance company paid for all new in backyard.
Furniture, umbrellas,etc.
Since I have a steep hill in back, it’s all planted, and there are high power rain birds that shoot the water up hill.the rest of the landscape has in ground sprinklers.
My home is still being rebuilt. The cov19 put a hold on construction. Nothing going on since February.
I’m curious, do you have help with all your landscaping?
Is your property big?
I have 3 landscapers/Gardner’s come once a week. Most neighbors have their Gardner’s at least 2times a week.
Do you know how I can keep the squirrels off the fig and avocado trees?
So many of the Mayo posters have lovely gardens. Wish everyone lived closer so we could see each other’s work. What are you going to plant in your pots? I have a large ceramic pot, that is ready to plant. The other pots have small trees in them.
One last thing, I told my neighbor about a hose timer. She runs her hose and forgets about it many hours later.
Did you get it at Lowe’s, Home Depot?
Take care,
Funcountess