FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I use a Hose with My DEEP DRIP® Watering Stakes?
Yes, to use a hose with the DEEP DRIP® stakes, create a flood
irrigation system with a small well or berm around your plant,
rather than directly putting the hose into the stake. Directly
inserting a hose into the stake will force water to enter too quickly;
flooding the root zone and possibly damaging your plant.
2. My tree is stressed or seems to be dying – can DEEP DRIP®
help save my tree?
Yes, this is one of the main functions of our DEEP DRIP® stakes.
Our stakes allow water-soluble fertilizer to reach deep into the root
zone for optimal absorption. The stake’s shaft is lined with grated
holes which aerates soil, allowing oxygen to flow deep to the root
zone, which is vital for the health of your tree. Of course, the stakes
also saturate water deeper into the soil, encouraging deeper and
healthier root systems. Many customers have shared stories about
how DEEP DRIP® Stakes helped bring their trees back to health.
3. What are the recommended flow rates for my DEEP DRIP®
Watering Stakes?
We suggest using an adjustable emitter head (0-15 gallons per
hour) with ¼ inch drip line to control water flow. A local nursery or
landscape professional will be able to give you the best suggestion
for exactly what flow rate will serve your plant best. For the best
possible advice, consider these variables: plant species’ specific
water/root needs, the irrigation system you are using , regional
soil density, and number of stakes – the more DEEP DRIP® Stakes
around your plant, the lower the flow needed.
4. How do I use these stakes to fertilize?
After installing your stake, remove the top cap, and pour liquid or
water soluble fertilizer/nutrients directly into the stake. Water will
pass through and slowly dissolve nutrients, feeding your plants at
the root. Evenly disperse your chosen fertilizer among all of the
plant’s installed stakes. Read the package instructions carefully
and remember not to over-fertilize or burn your plants’ roots!
5. I have very hard soil, made mostly of clay or rock, can a
DEEP DRIP® stake really go into my soil?
Tough surfaces may make you feel like you’re stuck between a
rock and a hard place, but that’s exactly why you need DEEP DRIP®
Watering Stakes. Our stakes are perfect for tough soil. Compacted
soil only allows for water to reach 3-4” into the ground, even after
surface watering for hours. Using DEEP DRIP® stakes allows you
to water from 20-50” (depending on stake size) into compacted soil
and guarantees deep root growth in even the toughest of places.
As for installation, pre-saturating the soil and/or using a soil
softener around the area is recommended. You may also find it
helpful to use a 1.25” auger bit to pre-drill a hole where you wish
to place the stake. If you hit a rock or a boulder when hammering
your stake in, it will need to be moved.
6. Will the cap crack or break if I hit it with a sledge hammer?
No, the cap for the 14”, 24”, and 36” stakes were specifically
engineered to withstand the force of repeated hits by a 3-5 lb.
sledgehammer. We’ve put this cap through serious R&D tests
including driving a car over a cap numerous times, and hitting a
cap over 1,000 times with a 5 lb. sledgehammer while installing.
The 8” cap does not need to be installed with a sledgehammer
since it does not go as far into the ground. It is meant to be used
with a rubber mallet and not a sledgehammer.
7. Will my DEEP DRIP® Watering Stakes hold up under extreme
temperatures?
Yes, DEEP DRIP® Watering Stakes are built of ABS plastic,
designed to hold up under both extreme high and low
temperatures, from 0°F to 180°F.
We recommend installing your stakes before temperatures reach
below 0°F. It is best to winterize your irrigation system with DEEP
DRIP® Watering Stakes before winter temperatures set in.
8. I live in a rainy area with plenty of water for my plants, do I still
need DEEP DRIP® Watering Stakes ?
Yes, rain is a form of surface watering which is not as effective as
deep root watering. Rain is also not a reliable, constant source of
water compared to an automatic drip system or tree/plant well.
DEEP DRIP® Watering Stakes direct plant roots to grow deep into
the soil, instead of coming up to the surface looking for a surface/
shallow water source like rainwater. Our stakes will guarantee
that water will reach deep into your plants’ roots consistently
and effectively. Our stakes don’t just water your plants, they also
deliver fertilizer and aerate roots, which rain cannot do.
9. What’s the best way to water soil with a high saline content?
In areas with a higher saline content using both an emitter head
at the surface in combination with DEEP DRIP® will help leach the
salt out of the soil.
10. Would the 8” stakes work with two liter soda bottles?
Much like directly using a hose, attaching a bottle directly to the
stake will likely flood the stake with too much water too quickly,
leading to possible root damage. Instead, either flood irrigate your
garden or use a drip line with an adjustable emitter head.
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