Hey Caz, thanks for responding, I was getting lonely in here! I talked with someone who says that the fertilizers wont clog the soaker. Makes sense, since most of the time they will be running clear water anyway. My concern was whether or not the MG feeders would hook up to the soakers, as the dispensing end seems larger than a hose hookup;it appears that way in the photo. I still have to get to the store to purchase my feeder yet, so I cant find out for myself. We used the siphon hoses in 5 gallon buckets at the greenhouse I worked at. I always wondered if this was still the standard way of fertilizing done today. Our greenhouse was run in a rather outdated method. However, it worked!!

You could use a calcium filter. They are actually used for mist systems to stop build up in the nozzles, but can be used for the soaker hose also. Made by Arizona Mist, it attaches right to the hose.

I use soaker hoses but there is one thing I don't like about them. They tend to crack very easily. In fact, this year I told myself that I was not going to leave the soaker hoses out in the garden in the hot sun and have them split. So this year I purchased new soaker hoses and one month into the season, I turn the water on and I have water spraying 10' into the air (LOL). I've looked for better quality soaker hoses but at least locally, they appear to all be made with the same materials and of the same quality. Cathy, I like that tool for checking moisture. Where did you get yours at? Do you know where they can be purchased online? okcdan, very nice setup. I like the fact that the soaker hose distributes water all around each plant....very nice job. Jay

There are too many variables to give you a specific spread rate, time to run etc. The soil tilth and porosity, the water pressure used (pressure regulators are required in many instances) , the hose diameter, the incline if any of the beds, the degree of level throughout the bed, the quality of the hose (not all are equal) etc. So it is something you have to experiment with hands-on until you learn what works with your garden. All of that is why I much prefer using drip tape. Plus it lasts longer and is less prone to clogging - especially if you have hard water. Dave forgot to add, in the average 3' wide bed assuming level and with good soil (I'd never use sand) 2 hoses running the length of the bed should work. 4 hoses for a 4' wide bed. BUt keep in mind the delivery rate falls off the longer the hose so often several shorter lengths is better than one really long one.