Choosing the Right Garden Hose

Your garden hose may be the last thing on your mind right now, especially if you live in one of the northern states. With gardening chores done for the year, you’ve probably tucked it away in your basement to await the start of spring in a few months. This could be the ideal time to start shopping around for the right garden hose for the next growing season, though. After all, why wait until you hook up your hose in the spring and realize that it’s sprung a leak sometime over its storage when you can start the season with a fresh, new garden hose that fits your needs perfectly.

That just leaves you with the conundrum of how to choose the right garden hose for your needs. These tips can help you figure out what you need and find the best hose to fulfill them.

Remember the Past

Start by thinking back over the summer and the times you’ve used your garden hose. How have you used it? Where did you use it? Was it sufficient for your needs or did you find yourself wishing it was just a little longer or that it didn’t tangle so much? Use your complaints and all your irritations from a season of gardening and outdoor tasks to help you figure out what you want in a replacement for your garden hose.

Check to See What’s Available Online

If you haven’t replaced your garden hose in a few years, you may be surprised at the variety of hoses and features that are available these days. Take some time to browse the stock at a garden hose store or in the gardening department of a home improvement store. You’ll find hoses made of rubber, vinyl and other materials, and in all sizes from 1/2 inch garden hose to 1 inch water hose. There are specialty hoses available for various needs, including drinking safe garden hose, heated garden hose and coil garden hose options that offer easy storage. The more you know about the types of garden hoses available, the easier it will be for you to choose the best one for your needs.

Don’t Forget Accessories

While you’re shopping for a new garden hose, take a detour through the accessories and parts available. A garden hose reel is a necessity to keep your hose stored off the ground, for example, and an extra set of garden hose fittings can help you extend the life of your new garden hose for even more years.