Garden Hose

Types of Garden hose

A quality hose that lasts for many years is more cost effective than buying another cheap one each season. Look for a “heavy duty” version with a warranty.

To choose the right length, consider how large your garden is and how far you’ll need to go with the hose. Common lengths are 50, 75 and 100 feet. The hose fittings, also called couplings, should be made of solid brass so they don’t rust, or get crushed. Most hoses have a diameter of 1/2, 5/8 or 3/4 inch.

Hoses vary in the amount of pressure they can withstand without bursting. This is referred to by manufactures as “burst strength” and is measured in pounds per square inch. Garden hoses are range from 100 to 600 PSI.

A garden hose is most often light or dark green, but other colors are available. Some gardeners prefer a bright color so the hose is easy to see, but most would like their hose to blend in with its surroundings. Martha Stewart’s line of home and garden products makes a light brown hose called ‘Everflow’.

Lightweight are well suited to gardeners with arthritis or limited mobility. They are available from specialty supply companies.

Coiling is useful in small gardens, patios, balconies and greenhouses. While they can be convenient, they can be less maneuverable and care must be taken around delicate plantings.

Soaker, also called weeping hose, are great for vegetable gardens and newly established plantings that need to be watered often. They can be laid along rows or looped around plants at or below the soil surface. Soaker hoses use less water than sprinklers, and help to keep your plants healthy by reducing soil borne diseases that are transmitted by splashing water drops.

Care

The most common cause of damage is rupture from kinks. Be sure your hose is laid out smoothly when in use. Lay on warm pavement or in the sun to remove kinks. Store out of bright light though, as the sun can break down the rubber.

Avoid leaving your hose out over winter in cold climates as freezing temperatures can cause any water left inside it to expand and burst the hose. Before the weather turns cold, drain the water out of the hose, coil it loosely and store it indoors. Also be sure to turn off water to out door faucets to protect them from freezing.

If you use your hose to mark new bed lines, be careful not to puncture it with a shovel or pitchfork. A damaged garden hose can be repaired with a kit from the hardware store. When they are past warranty and worn beyond, repair can come in handy when staking up young trees.

Storage

Keep hoses organized and prevent tripping hazards by storing properly. There are many attractive storage solutions for different garden styles.

• Metal or plastic racks that attach to your house or shed are a simple solution. Some have a crank to wind up. Many styles are available.
  
• Large pots made of copper, ceramic or terra cotta are fashionable containers in which to coil a hose.
  
• Sturdy wicker baskets lend a cottage garden charm. Store indoors over winter in wet climates.
  
• Reel carts let you take your hose to different locations and can be pushed into a shed for easy out-of sight storage.

Garden hose Accessories

A good old-fashioned brass nozzle is one of the best garden tools. It won’t break, and is good for almost every watering task. Just be sure to remember where you put it.

If you need to water hanging baskets or containers an extender is useful. Most have several water patterns such as mist, shower and jet. Some come with a spray rosette that mimics the natural fall of rain.

Hose guides placed strategically through your garden allow you to move among plantings without dragging the hose over your beds.