Treegator Jr. Pro Slow Release Watering Bag for Trees and Shrubs

I bought this collar from Amazon because my original vendor of choice, A.M. Leonard, was sold out of them.This collar works well, applying water at a slow rate around a newly planted shrub. There are 2 nozzles at the bottom of this collar, I wish there were 4. Because there are 2 nozzles, I feel I have to move the collar around the shrub 90 degrees, before filling it with water, to make sure the planting area is kept evenly moist. Moving and positioning the collar at ground level is not easy.In the first year of its use, the first 2 weeks after planting the shrub, I filled the collar every 2 days. Afterward, I would fill it every 3 days, unless it significantly rained (1/2 inch or more). I kept this routine throughout the summer and fall, until the first freeze. I cleaned the nozzles from debris that accumulated from the mulch and stored the collar indoors for the winter. I am using it again to water the same shrub this year. The collar so far is still in its original condition -- very sturdy.Filling the collar is not hard until it is 70% full. At that point, you have to lift up the end with the filling hole in order to get in as much water as possible. When full, it looks like an overly fat doughnut. Closing the hole with the attached cover takes a bit of strength. Some water will rush out, and you will get wet.So far it's doing its job -- the shrub looks like it is growing well. I recommend this product.

For those bad reviews, I think they can be attributed to not reading the information and instructions. Many complained that it was empty after a few hours instead of days. It CLEARLY states it takes 5 to 8 hours to empty - hours, not days. Other complained of the difficulty in filling. So, here's a tip. I put the bag around the tree as directed. Next, i pushed my garden hose into the bag so that the nozzle was away from the valve opening. I turned the hose on - wide open - and waited just a few minutes (less than five - many even in two minutes) it was full. I held the tab next to the value up a couple of inches and did NOT try to force it full. So, I got maybe 14.5 gallons in it. It was then easy to remove the hose and close the tab. For those not wanting to wait, simply take a stake an attach the tab to keep the valve slightly elevated. Nothing could be easier.I had the stand up bags before, but I bought a 5 inch oak tree and I know from experience that I would have had to buy TWO of the stand up bags and zip them together to prevent the stand up bag from being too tight around the tree. Also, the Junior is so inconspicuous. I think it was made to match pine straw.I am thrilled with this and have been using for a few weeks. I will be happy to get one good season out of it, but hopefully more. I'll update you.I highly recommend it, but please carefully read the information and directions before purchasing to see if it fits your needs. You could easily get this around a 7 inch tree or greater. Just pull the opening apart a bit.Hope this helps.

We are having a terribly dry summer and I have four new trees to keep watered. I wanted a slow water system because that is most effective. Was going to get the green standup bags because I have seen them used and they were effective. I was afraid my HOA would complain about the " look" so I went with these that blend in with the mulch at the base of the tree. I remove then after watering and use them twice a week because I was afraid they would block the air and rain if we were lucky enough for rain. Here is the only " problem" . Once they arrive, the instructions clearly state what the shape of the mound of mulch around the tree should look like. The first choice is level with a "well" in the center. Second choice is completely level and not acceptable is a rounded mound. Because of the design, they do not work at all with a rounded mound, only kinda work with flat level ground and work great with level with a " well" in the middle. Had to buy more mulch and reshape around trees to get them to work but once I did that they worked great. Not difficult to put down and remove. Must be filled once in place and you have to hold up a tab while filling so the water does not run out. Still think I would have preferred the green stand up but these are pretty much invisible rather than commercial appearing.

As we're in the middle of an extreme drought, and subject to water restrictions, this has been a great find. We're in a new home and the ground under the sod layer is very hard, so the sprinkler system and hand water tends to run off toward lower areas--often to the neighbor's yard. The slow release gives the plants a chance to get their fair share. The issue of un-level ground, which we have, is not too hard to compensate for by giving thought to the location of the water exit valves--1) both on an even plane and propping up the low side of the bag, or 2) placing one valve on the lowest level so it will completely empty. For leveling purposes one can use mulch, or what has helped me out is an oversized dustpan which, when upside down, becomes a large wedge with a handle. Works great. Of course, it depends on the degree of leveling necessary. I bought one Treegator Junior Pro, which I rotate around from trees to shrubs, but have the regular Treegator on order. The Junior is nice in that it has a low profile and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in the front yard. I have placed it over some ground cover that is close to the trees and it hasn't adversely affected either the Gator or the plants, that I can tell. Once the bag is empty, it gets moved relatively soon. I guess I'll have to use a soaker hose on the mature trees--which we are being cautioned to water, as the lack of water causes them to become very brittle, and break. Can't have that. I highly recommend this product. One thing though, I called the company with a question, and my call was never returned.