How to Figure Out Which Garden Hose You Need

Who knew that garden hoses were so popular? If you watch television at all, you can’t help but notice the number of new garden hose advances that have been advertised over the past year or two. There are constant commercials for a coil garden hose – perfect for gardening on patios and in small yards – and expandable hoses, as well as for heated garden hose and soaker hoses that irrigate your lawn without wasting water in the air. That’s a lot of choices – and it’s not even taking into account the many different lengths and diameters and materials you can choose from when you’re picking out a new garden hose. If you’re buying a garden hose for the first time or replacing one that’s worn past being useful, these tips can help you choose the right kind of hose for your needs.

How Long Should Your Garden Hose Be?

It’s tempting to buy the longest garden hose you can afford, but that’s not the best idea. In general, you should buy a garden hose that’s long enough to reach the places where you use it most often and no longer. Extra length can get tangled and reduce the water pressure at the business end of the hose. What if you usually only need a 25-foot hose to reach the garden, but once in a while you need to reach the driveway that’s 50 feet away? Buy two 25-foot hoses, suggest experts. You can hook them together when you need the extra length and you won’t be tripping over it when you don’t need the longer garden hose.

What Diameter Garden Hose Should You Choose?

Most homeowners choose a 1/2 inch garden hose or 3/4 inch garden hose for common household maintenance and gardening tasks. If you need a longer hose to reach your garden or higher water pressure, opt for the wider diameter – the higher the diameter, the more water can be delivered at once. If you intend to use your garden hose for pressure washing or to water livestock, you might opt for a one inch water hose, which will make the tasks move more quickly.

Are There Special Features to Consider?

Will you be watering a vegetable garden with your garden hose or providing drinking water from it? Choose a drinking safe garden hose to avoid leaching lead and other hazardous chemicals into your water. Do you need to use the garden hose throughout the colder seasons of the year? Consider a heated garden hose, which will keep the water flowing even when the temperature drops below freezing.

Choosing the right garden hose can make your maintenance and gardening tasks considerably easier. Before you head off to the nearest home improvement store, take stock of your needs so that you buy the right hose for your needs.