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How Long To Run A Soaker Hose?
Most soaker hoses need about 30 to 60 minutes to soak garden soil 6 inches deep, 2 to 3 times a week in summer. Learn how to test your own hose and soil.
Most soaker hoses need about 30 to 60 minutes to soak garden soil 6 inches deep, though clay may need longer and sand less. In summer, run it 2 to 3 times a week for vegetables and flowers. The only sure way to know is to run it once, then dig down with a trowel to check.
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A soaker hose is one of the simplest ways to water a garden well. It weeps water slowly along its whole length, right at the roots, with almost nothing lost to wind or evaporation.
The catch is that it is slow, and you cannot see how much water it puts out. Run it too briefly and only the surface gets wet. Run it all day and the bed turns to mud. Here is how to find the right time for your garden.
Typical run times by soil type
| Soil type | Run time per session |
|---|---|
| Sandy soil | About 20 to 30 minutes, more often |
| Loam or garden soil | About 30 to 45 minutes |
| Clay soil | About 45 to 60 minutes, or two shorter runs |
| Around trees and shrubs | About 1 to 2 hours, less often |
These are starting points. Hoses differ a lot in how much water they release, and water pressure changes the flow too.
How to test your soaker hose
- Start with dry soil. Test on a day when the bed has not been watered or rained on for a few days.
- Run the hose for 30 minutes. Note the time so you can repeat it.
- Wait an hour, then dig. Use a trowel to dig a small hole 6 inches from the hose.
- Check the depth. For most vegetables and flowers, you want moist soil 6 inches down. Trees and shrubs need 12 inches.
- Adjust. If only the top 2 inches are wet, run it longer next time. If water puddles, run it shorter or split it into two sessions.
How often to run a soaker hose
Most gardens need about 1 inch of water a week, including rain. With a soaker hose, that usually means 2 to 3 sessions a week in summer and 1 to 2 in spring and fall. Raised beds and sandy soil dry faster and may need more frequent runs.
Always check the soil before you turn it on. After a good rain, skip a session.
Tips for better results
Soaker hoses work best at low pressure. Turn the tap on only partway, or fit a pressure regulator. Too much pressure can make the hose spray or burst.
Keep each run of hose to about 100 feet or less. Longer runs often deliver much more water near the tap than at the far end.
Lay the hose close to plant stems, then cover it with a few inches of mulch. Mulch keeps the hose out of the sun, which helps it last longer, and slows evaporation from the soil.
When to water with a soaker hose
Morning is best. The soil fills up before the heat, and plants have water through the day. Because soaker hoses keep leaves dry, evening watering is safer than with a sprinkler, but morning still wins.
For how much water different plants need, see how much water plants need. Soaker hoses are also the easiest way to give trees a slow, deep soak, as explained in how to water trees.
Soaker Hoses FAQ
How long does it take a soaker hose to water 1 inch?
Often 30 to 60 minutes for a typical garden bed, but it varies by hose and pressure. Test with a trowel to be sure.
Can you leave a soaker hose on all day?
No. Even slow watering for many hours can waterlog the soil. Run it for a set time, then turn it off.
Should I bury my soaker hose?
Covering it with mulch is best. Burying it in soil can clog the pores and makes leaks harder to find.
We turn horticulture research and real growing experience into plain-English watering schedules you can actually follow.