Soaker hose

[kygreg]

Do any of you use soaker hoses underground to water your tomatoes? If so what has been your experience and any suggestions, hints etc.

I am thinking about using this summer. I planned to use it last summer and actually "installed" a system but because of a wet summer never actually had to use it.

I use 250ft of connected 50ft and 75ft hoses. I have valves that I could use and not have all the hoses connected.

My questions:

I have put the hoses 10-12 inches under the soil which is clay with a lot of ammendments of organic matter. Will the weight of the soil on the hose keep the water from getting into the soil?

If I am connecting hoses should I remvove the washers from inside the hose connections or leave them in.

One half of my garden is on a slight slope and of course the hose here runs downhill; is this a problem?

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

PS: It took me 2 years to learn how to use a doorknob.