soaker hoses or drip irrigation system for new pollinator bed
Hello,
We have just installed a 500 square foot pollinator garden in Baltimore MD. All plants are native and were planted as plugs on May 5. We are somewhat new to establishing a native plant pollinator garden but are all experienced gardeners.
After the first two weeks of daily hand watering (to get the plugs established) we would like to shift to either soaker hoses or drip irrigation. We would prefer to not use a sprinkler as these would waste water, and in the hot Baltimore summer could cause fungus or cause burns if watered in the sun.
Our need is to gradually water more intermittently (every 2-4 days) starting in June (and as needed based on rain) based on direct measurement of soil moisture. We will want to water the bed deeper and less frequently to help the deep roots get established.
Year 2 and Year 3 we would be watering less and less and we hope that starting in year 4 we could remove what ever watering system we use and only return to water during extended drought.
So…the question is…should we go with the less precise and less expensive soaker hoses or the more precise and more expensive drip irrigation system.
The bed is slightly sloped and will have some areas in more sun. See photo.
Thanks. Peter
