Ross 1200C Heavy Duty Tree & Shrub Root Feeder 12044

Most helpful customer reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Root Feeder
By Robert M. Coleman
I live at the edge of the Mojave dessert in California. The soil is very poor. There is topsoil down to about 6 inches, then a 12 inch layer of "Calichi" (hardpan), then silty soil below that. Water does not penetrate the calichi layer.I have grass planted with a sprinkler system. When the sprinklers go on, the soil becomes saturated quickly because surface water does not penetrate the calichi layer. Trees planted in the lawn do not get enough water. The root feeder is the perfect tool to water trees by getting water below the calichi layer. The root feeder will not by itself penetrate the calichi layer so I first have to prepare a hole by driving a 3/8 reinforcing bar into the ground to get past the calichi layer. I then withdraw the re-bar and insert the root feeder. My one complaint is that the threads conecting the plastic handle to the metal rod are too fine, and as a result, after much use the rod separates from the plastic handle. I solve this problem by wrapping the rod threads with Teflon tape.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Repeat buy for me
By Tad A.
I first ran into the Ross Root feeder around 2000 when I built a new home and was looking at how to get my young trees established. Since then I have given several root feeders as gifts and it seems that no one has ever heard of such a tool until I give them one! I also buy the shrub and tree food refills that go in the top of the root feeder to add supplements to the root system. These have made a noticeable difference in the health of my trees and shrubs. It also helps you use far less water by putting the water in the ground instead of ON the ground and relying on absorption to get the job done. The plants are much more responsive. I only buy the heavy duty version now (this is the HD version) b/c I like the vastly improved handle over the original design. A+

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Be careful with the hose connection
By thundercloud
I actually like this product and would have given it five stars but mine has broken after only a few times of use. It's also out of warranty as I bought it early last year. I have a possible solution that might prevent his from happening to others.

When this product worked for me it worked VERY well. It put fertilizer right where I needed it and this year my wife's roses look great.

The weakest part of this unit is where the garden hose connects. I am a stickler for making sure the connections are not cross threaded and I had this one on tight when all at once the hose just popped out of the connector. I put it back on making sure that it was tight but not overtightened. Again the hose popped out. When I attempted to reattach the hose the third time the connector would not accept the hose fittings. It cannot be used at all now.

I think part of what caused my problem was me carrying the unit around with the garden hose attached. Be sure and disconnect the hose after use.

If I were to purchase another I will attach a garden hose shut-off valve on it. That way I will not ruin the threads on the unit by constantly attaching and removing a garden hose from the unit itself I would be attaching it to the shut off valve instead.

If you are tempted to carry the unit around anyway with a garden hose attached I might have a solution for that too. I'd attach shut-off valve to the unit and reinforce it with duct tape. Maybe even wrap the tape around a couple of wooden dowels. It certainly will not look pretty but if it saves the unit from breaking it might be worth trying.