PlantPeople Water With Hoses!

Irrigation Systems Are Not Enough

As the sunrises over the marsh, Tom stands with a hose soaking about 8,000 tiny plants. We call them plugs; they are grasses and spring flowering perennials that will make for a meadow-like display next spring and summer.

Last night about dusk, Tom did the same thing. A day ago, before we packed the truck, we did the same thing.

This garden is private so no one makes fun of us. But in other cases, belive it or not, we get heckled for holding a hose. Of all people, landscapers sneer most frequently, saying things like “Having fun playing with the hose?” or “In the modern world, there’s a thing called an irrigation system that squirts water for you.”

My response is to ignore them, but what I think is, “Listen, knuckle-dragger; Crank up your backpack and go blow some leaves around the KFC parking lot.”

On this cool October morning, as we plant 8,000 or so tiny plugs, Tom follows behind with a hose. Then he does it again. This garden will thrive because he’s strung together 400 feet of hose pipes and aimed at each plant. Irrigation, rain nor sprinklers could do that.

Real plant lovers, horticulturists, anyone with an understanding of plant needs and soil structure, and anyone concerned about their plants use a hose.

The Hecklers and the Hose-Holders

In this private garden, no one makes fun of us. But in other cases, believe it or not, we get heckled for holding a hose. Surprisingly, landscapers are often the worst offenders:

• "Having fun playing with the hose?"

• "In the modern world, there's a thing called an irrigation system that squirts water for you."

My unspoken response? "Listen, knuckle-dragger; crank up your backpack and go blow some leaves around the KFC parking lot."

Why Real Plant Lovers Use a Hose

True horticulturists and anyone concerned about their plants use a hose. Here's why:

1. Targeted Watering

   • This garden will thrive because Tom's strung together 400 feet of hose pipes and aimed at each plant

   • Irrigation, rain, nor sprinklers could provide such precise care

2. Better Water Distribution

   • Water follows the easiest paths in pots and soil

   • Saturating with a hose helps distribute water evenly

   • Multiple passes are needed in hydrophobic soils like coastal sandy silt

3. Improved Soil Structure

   • Water flow moves soil particles to fill air pockets around roots

   • This ensures better soil-root contact, essential for successful transplanting

   • We call this process "mudding in"

The Unseen Benefits

Using a hose isn't just about watering; it's about creating the best possible soil environment for your plants:

• It helps overcome the resistance of hydrophobic soils

• It ensures even water distribution throughout the root ball

• It improves soil-root contact, crucial for newly transplanted plants

While irrigation systems and rain have their place, nothing beats the precision and care of a hand with a hose. It's not just about watering; it's about understanding the needs of each plant and the intricacies of soil structure. So the next time you see someone "playing with a hose," recognize a soul mate, a plant person who deeply cares for green lives.