What to Look for in a Quality Garden Hose

Buying a new garden hose doesn’t sound terribly complicated until you get to the garden hose aisle and see the enormous selection of specialty garden hoses available for sale. Many people simply grab the cheapest garden hose that suits their needs and flee, never realizing that they could have made their lives easier – and saved themselves money in the long run – by buying a high quality garden hose in the first place. Here’s what you should look for when you’re replacing your worn-out garden hose with a new one.

Materials

Cheap vinyl garden hoses will get you exactly what you pay for – cheap materials and a garden hose that will kink up, bend and spring leaks. Garden hoses may be made from rubber, vinyl or a combination of both, and may be reinforced with other fibers. Rubber hoses are the most flexible and the least likely to kink, crack or corrode, but they can be heavy. Reinforced vinyl hoses are lighter in weight, and depending on the materials used for reinforcement, can be as sturdy and durable as a good quality rubber hose. If you’re looking for a garden hose that will deliver potable water for humans or animals – or, some say, if you’ll be watering plants that produce food – look for a drinking safe garden hose made from materials that won’t leach chemicals into the water. Vinyl or rubber reinforced with nylon or rayon provides strength and lighter weights.

Quality Fittings

Garden hose fittings – the metal or plastic ends that attach the hose to a nozzle or a faucet – are another place where quality makes a difference. Many manufacturers of cheap hoses use soft metals that bend and warp with use or abuse. The result is poor attachment and leaks at the faucet or nozzle. Look for a garden hose with solid brass garden hose fittings that won’t bend or warp out of shape.

The Right Diameter

The diameter of your garden hose determines how much water is delivered and at what pressure it arrives. Most gardeners find that a 1/2 inch garden hose or 3/4 inch garden hose are right for their uses. For higher demand applications, a 1 inch water hose will get the job done.

Easy Storage

Storing your garden hose properly is important if you want it to last and deliver high quality performance throughout its life. A coil garden hose essentially provides its own storage, but most other garden hoses will require a garden hose reel or jar to keep them neatly tucked away when they’re not in use.

Choosing the right garden hose will make your job much easier and save you lots of time and frustration over the years – and you can expect years of use when you choose a high-quality garden hose for your needs.