Modifying soaker hoses can help reduce the cost of water, says K-State horticulture expert

At a glance: As the temperatures climb into the 90s and above, most trees require more water, but more water means more costs, says Kansas State horticulture expert Matt McKernan.

More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu

Related: Horticulture Resource Center

July 14, 2026

K-State Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. – As the temperatures climb into the 90s and above, most trees require more water, but more water means more costs. Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan says modifying soaker hoses can help homeowners save a few dollars.

“Soaker hoses are notorious for non-uniform watering,” McKernan said. “In other words, you often receive too much water from one part of the hose and not enough from the other part. This likely overwaters some trees, while leaving other trees needing more.”

Patchy water application may not affect smaller trees, as the soaker hose will circle the tree several times, but can affect larger trees. For more uniform watering, McKernan suggests hooking the beginning and end of the soaker hose to a y-adapter to equalize pressure and provide more uniform watering. The parts needed include only a y-adapter and a female-to-female connector.

“It is also helpful if the y-adapter has shut-off valves so the volume of flow can be controlled,” McKernan said. “Too high a flow rate can allow water to run off rather than soak.”

The position of the hose can also make a difference. On smaller trees, McKernan recommends the hose should be placed near the trunk and root ball of the tree. Ideally the hose can circle the tree several times, but will only water the soil that contains tree roots.

On larger trees, he said the soaker hose should be placed further away from the trunk and should circle the trunk at least half the distance to the drip line.

Water should be applied with a slow, low flow, McKernan said, allowing water plenty of time to absorb deeply without running off. Young trees planted within the last three to five years should be watered once a week during the summer whenever rainfall is lacking. Larger, more established trees will benefit from a deep watering every three to four weeks during periods of drought.

To check if the watering is effective, McKernan said the soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep. A metal rod or something similar can be used to check.

“Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your probe will stop when it hits dry soil,” he said. “How long it takes water to reach a 12 inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil type.”

As a test when first watering the tree, record the amount of time it takes to reach a 12-inch depth of dampness. The tree can then be watered for that amount of time in subsequent watering.

To provide even greater irrigation efficiency, consider replacing soaker hoses with drip irrigation,” McKernan said. “Look for drip tubing with pressure-regulated or pressure-compensating drip emitters. This style of drip tubing will deliver a fixed amount of water per emitter, regardless of the length of the tubing, the water pressure available, or the slope of the ground.”

He adds: “Although these products have an initial investment cost, they will improve irrigation efficiency and may help save water and money in the long run.”

McKernan and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.

Interested persons can subscribe to the weekly newsletter, or submit their garden and yard-related questions, by sending email to hortsupport@ksu.edu. More information also is available at your local K-State Extension office.

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K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit https://extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.