Is there any tool in your backyard that gets less attention and regard than your garden hose?
Even the most avid gardener and householder is prone to take the lowly
hose for granted. The recent spate of television ads for expanding
garden hoses and the coil garden hose notwithstanding, most people
simply expect that their garden hose will be there when they need it,
and will perform as expected. They accept the kinks and leaks as
inevitable and gamely soldier on, irrigating and sprinkling their
gardens with hoses that don’t quite live up to the job they should be
doing. The truth is that you have a right to expect good service from
your garden hose – that it will not break, kink or leak, and that it
will be light enough for you to move it from one place to the other
without breaking tender seedlings when you drag it over them. Whether
you’re keeping your current garden hose or looking for a replacement,
these facts will help you have a more enjoyable, easier gardening
season.
Length is Important.
It’s a commonly held assumption that longer is better because it gives you more reach. In
fact, a garden hose that’s too long is nearly as awkward and
ineffective as one that doesn’t reach where you want it to go. A longer
hose can be heavy and difficult to maneuver, and can reduce water
pressure at the business end. Choose a garden hose that’s just long
enough to reach the areas where you’ll use it most. If you occasionally
need more reach – say, to get to the driveway once a week to wash your
car – buy a second short hose that you can use to extend its length. It
won’t cost much more and your daily gardening chores will be much more
comfortable.
Diameter Makes a Difference.
The
difference between a 1/2 inch garden hose and a 3/4 inch garden hose is
twice as much water delivered to your target in the same amount of
time. If you have low water pressure, opt for a wider diameter hose to
increase water flow.
Proper Storage Increases Garden Hose Life
It
practically goes without saying that if you treat your garden hose
right, it will treat you right. There are many different types of garden
hose reels on the market that make it easy to drain your hose after
use, and store it out of contact with the ground, both of which will
decrease wear and tear on the material of which your hose is made.
It’s Worth It to Pay for Quality
The
aisles of your local home improvement store are chock full of cheap
garden hoses in many different lengths – but indulging your budget can
seriously cramp your style. A cheap hose may make it through one or two
seasons before springing a leak or worse. Invest in a high quality garden hose that will last you for years – and be much easier and more comfortable to use.
There’s a Garden Hose for Everything
If
you have a special watering or irrigation need, do a little research to
find the right garden hose to meet it. There are specialty garden hoses
for nearly any use you can imagine. If your hose will be transporting
potable water, choose a drinking safe garden hose. If you’re working in a
small space, choose a coil garden hose
that stays out of the way. You can find a heated garden hose for use in
cold climates and weather, and flat soaker hoses for irrigating
vegetable beds.
The
right garden hose can make a surprising difference in your daily
gardening chores. Shop around and find the best hose for your needs and
see how much more fun your gardening is this summer.
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