I use soaker hoses for most of my beds. The key is to give them minimum pressure to keep them from bursting. I just barely turn my faucet on. A pressure regulator can also be used. Drip tape is also an option but I've never used it. I usually get about 4 years from a soaker hose.

I use a few soaker hoses (the black rubbery type), mainly on my melons to better regulate their watering during ripening time and to keep the foliage dry. As these wear out (generally from kinks causing splits) I'll use a small section of pvc pipe to insert into the loose ends and meld them together with super glue. After reading stories of where these soaker hoses come from (usually recycled tires) I am reluctant to buy them anymore due to possible carcinogens present in the mix.

Another reason to bury them under thick mulch, or even just under an inch or two of soil, is to avoid keeping the soil surface wet. A perpetually wet soil surface is a marvelous garden for fungus and disease.

xxnon, were you in a freeze area? I used mine for a good 5 years. Had to do a little duct tape work after a really nasty freeze (we do have these in the low lands in CA). Worked great in my raised beds! I even set up a thing for watering different beds on different days (NO NOT on my cell phone! I had to go outside and turn on the faucets!)

nope not in a freeze zone. What is a good alternative? I have 3 4x12 raised beds.

I am also trying to figure out the best watering situation for my raised beds. I was leaning towards soaker hoses cut to length for each bed to avoid bends and kinks, plus mulching on top. I have less than 10 beds. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of "Water Right"" soaker hoses? Reportedly safer and longer lasting than the cheap ones at box stores. I will be storing my hoses inside during our Maine winters. Thanks

Rachel

"Reportedly safer and longer lasting than the cheap ones at box stores."

Not sure how one can make a hose "safer". As for "longer lasting", that is controlled by climate and care not the hose itself. So marketing hype only means more expensive.

Cut to length set-ups tend to be more expensive to begin with plus they are weak and leaky connections. While you can't kink the hose they bend into curved layouts with no problems. One 50 foot hose layed out in a long 3-pronged U position can easily water a 4x12' bed.

Dave

so 50' hose per each bed? what rand do you recommend.

Thank you Dave. My beds are only 3X10 so some serious bending would occur. Not sure it would work. You've given me some things to think about. May have to rethink my strategy.

Rachel