Drip system

Al Gladding 4/23/2018, 11:38 pm

I am building a new SFG. I am planning to lay sold socker hoses in the bottom of the garden before I fill the boxes with MM.

Question: Am I doing the correct thing? I felt that the sow watering from the bottom would wick up and promote deeper rooting.

Has anyone tried this? May I please have your thoughts.

Al E Gator

**sanderson** 4/24/2018, 3:25 am

Al, Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$ Sort of unusual for SFG beds. How would you know if the Mel's Mix was moist throughout? I've seen wicking planters, though. Only 6" of Mel's Mix is required for SFG and most either water with a hose wand or use a top dripper/soaker or even spray system.

Al Gladding 4/24/2018, 12:49 pm

Thanks for your thoughts. MM is absorbents so it should absorb water to the top of the mix. Once I am finished with my project I will let you know how successful it worked or didn't.

Al

No_Such_Reality 4/24/2018, 11:25 pm

New Mel's Mix because of the relatively high peat content is, imho, bad for this type solution. The Peat if it gets dry repels water and becomes a pain to rehydrate in the bed.

Save yourself headaches and frustration, put the soaker hose on top.

I have a post from years ago where my drip systen failed miserably and upon digging in found narrow columns of moist mix directly under the drip but powder dry everywhere else.

**sanderson** 4/25/2018, 12:35 am

NSR, good point about buried drip/soaker system.

Al Gladding 4/25/2018, 12:51 am

Thank you for your advise. I can see how the peat could be a problem. I have not used MM before. From what you are suggesting and what I am reading in the Forum, I wonder if MM should be 2 parts compost, 1 part peat and 1 part vermiculite to add a little more density.

Al

**sanderson** 4/25/2018, 1:22 am

Al, regarding peat moss, once it is fluffed, wet it thoroughly and never let the Mel's Mix dry out if at all possible. You can certainly double the amount to compost, just make sure that the compost are real composts and not "soil amendments". Ask us before buying if you want.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t21089-recommended-store-bought-compost-photos-of-composts

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