Why irrigate underground?
Those who water superficially lose a significant portion of the water to evaporation – on hot summer days, even before it reaches the roots. The result is a second, often overlooked problem: If moisture remains in the top few centimeters of the soil, the roots stay there too. Grasses and woody plants develop shallow root systems, making them more susceptible to drought stress.
Underground irrigation reverses this principle. Water reaches the root zone directly at a depth of 30 to 80 cm. The plant follows the water downwards, develops a deep, stable root system – and thus better withstands the next heatwave on its own. At the same time, water consumption noticeably decreases, as only plants are irrigated where they stand. A pleasant side effect: surface weeds get nothing.
The soil lance has proven particularly effective for irrigating trees and shrubs during dry periods, as well as for local dry spots and hydrophobic areas in the lawn where water beads up on the surface instead of seeping in.
How irrigation with the soil lance works
The lance is pushed into the ground to the desired depth – the slender stainless steel tip penetrates even denser soils cleanly. You can precisely regulate the water volume using the ball valve with a wing handle. We recommend slow, rather dripping irrigation: This way, the water distributes evenly in the soil without causing leaching in deeper layers. The replaceable sieve tip with 24 circumferential holes dispenses the water finely distributed.
Aerating compacted soil
The soil lance can do more than just irrigate. With a compressor, air can be introduced into deeper soil layers – compaction is broken up, and the soil can breathe again. This is valuable wherever waterlogging damages roots or gas exchange in the soil has come to a standstill. While ouraeratoraerates the top few centimeters of the turf, the soil lance reaches layers that no other hand tool can.
Proven in viticulture and municipal tree care
What works in home gardens has long been proven in professional use. In viticulture, winemakers use the soil lance for targeted individual vine irrigation – especially for young vines in their first years of growth, which is crucial for determining whether the vine develops a deep root system. Especially on slopes, where irrigation water runs off the surface before it can seep in, the lance reliably delivers water to the root zone. And because vines that root deeply early on better withstand later dry years, deep irrigation here is not an emergency measure, but quality work on the vine.
Cities and municipal companies use the soil lance for irrigating urban trees. Urban trees stand in compacted, often partially sealed soil – water applied to the surface evaporates on the tree disk or runs off the sealing, without reaching the roots. The soil lance penetrates the compacted layer and delivers the water directly to where the tree can absorb it. For young trees, this ensures establishment care in the first few years; for old trees, the lance helps during heatwaves and can additionally aerate the root area with a compressor.
Made for a lifetime of gardening
Like all Rasenspecht tools, the soil lance is manufactured at our production facility in Bramsche. The body is made of stainless steel – corrosion-resistant and designed for permanent use in soil and with water. The lower part is screwed on and can be removed for cleaning; thesieve tipis available separately as a spare part. The soil lance is connected via a ½-inch external thread – the standard in garden irrigation. Any commercially available ½-inch coupling plug, whether from Gardena or another system, fits onto it. So you don't need any new accessories, but simply connect the lance to what is already available on your hose.
