Using Soaker Hoses from Gilmour

August 15, 2025

Will you be out in the yard watering plants this weekend? On my big farm, it takes a lot of close monitoring to stay on top of the watering tasks. I use many hoses, a variety of sprinklers, and now soakers that can also help irrigate at night, making the entire process more efficient and eco-friendly.

One of my favorite sources is Gilmour, a company that’s been manufacturing hoses and other watering solutions for more than 70-years. I've been using Gilmour products for a long time and have always been pleased with the durability and performance of their supplies. This week, Pete Sherpa and Fernando Ferrari from my outdoor grounds crew, carefully positioned soaker hoses under trees and various plants in the allées, in my pergola, and in the border beds around my pastures - any areas where this type of watering is most needed. It's quite an undertaking, but I know these Gilmour soaker hoses will help keep my valuable specimens well-irrigated through the season.

Here are some photos and tips, enjoy.

: My latest shipment from Gilmour includes 50-foot soaker hoses. These hoses will be put to great use all around my farm.

: I also use Gilmour garden hoses. All of Gilmour’s hoses curve without kinking, connect without leaking, and are so easy to store.

: Fernando removes all the packaging and prepares the hoses to be distributed and placed. A map of their locations is also made so they can be turned on and off quickly and easily.

: Each of these hoses is 50-feet long, but they also come in a 25-foot length. They are made from 100-percent recycled vinyl, which is environmentally friendly and clog-resistant.

: Both ends have industrial strength brass fittings. This is the hose connector at one end.

: Inside is a special washer that controls the water flow.

: The other end is fitted with a cap. These hoses are also designed with special coverings to protect them from UV rays and extend the lifespan.

: Pete uncoils the hose first to determine how many he will need for a certain area. This is my long clematis pergola. Soaker hoses are placed behind the boxwood borders on both sides.

: Fernando holds one end in place as Pete positions the hose under and around the plants.

: Here, Pete lays the soaker hose behind the boxwood across the carriage road in my Stewartia Garden. I instructed Pete to put any hose where it is least visible.

: These soakers are also designed to be buried under compost material for year-round irrigation without wasting water. Any hose that is seen will be lightly buried later.

: The hoses are connected as they are put down. For the best water use, Pete and Fernando limited the total section lengths to three 50-foot hoses, or 150-feet. These hoses also connect to garden hoses if needed.

: Here is Pete uncoiling a hose at my Linden Allée. Notice the slight incline of the garden bed. Pete places the soakers at the highest point so any water can drip downward to irrigate.

: And here he is underneath my long Boxwood Allée. Be sure any water also travels down hill from the source wherever possible. If it is not possible, the pressure will still carry the water where needed, but may take a bit longer.

: Here is Pete by the hydrangeas surrounding my horse paddock.

: If there is extra hose at one end, just circle it around the last tree or shrub. The hose is designed to be flexible enough to snake around garden beds next to plants to target irrigation straight to the roots.

: Use garden hoses splitters, available at garden centers, to connect multiple hoses to a single water source.

: A splitter can also be used right at the hose bib.

: Here is the amount of water that flows through the hose once it is turned on.

: The water is released via tiny pores along the hose length, allowing for even distribution.

: It is easy to see the water droplets coming through the hose. These hoses will irrigate the beds through the night and then be turned off come morning.

: The hoses water down to the roots with steady streams that can be efficiently absorbed through the soil. In addition, Gilmour hoses are all made in the USA and backed by lifetime warranties. Thanks Gilmour. The following clips show how it’s done.