Tips For Choosing A Garden Hose

July 14, 6:05 PMSeattle Garden & Kitchen ExaminerJerry & Kristy

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Seattle Garden & Kitchen Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

With gardening season going strong, it is important to be able to count on your garden hose. Not all garden hoses are alike and shopping for a new one can be a bit overwhelming when you stand there amongst all the choices. Here is a basic run down on how hoses differ so you can get in and out of the store quickly with the hose that fits your needs.

Choosing A Hose Length

The first thing to consider is where you’ll be watering. Do you need to water a large area or a small garden bed just outside your back door? The most common hose lengths are 25, 50, 75 and 100 feet. You will want to purchase the shortest length that will cover your needs.

If you have a hose that is too long, the water pressure will be less so you will end up spending more time watering. However, if you have a lot of area to water or, have gardens in both the front and back; you'll save time with a longer length.

Make sure the attachments will fit

Picking A Hose’s Diameter

Hoses normally come in ½, 5/8 or ¾ inch diameters. The 5/8 and ¾ sizes are a better choice as they have more fittings available. The thing to remember is that the wider the hose, the faster water flow: which may be important depending on how much, and how often you water.

Deciding On Your Garden Hose’s Construction

A garden hose’s construction will determining factor on whether the hose last for season or many seasons. If you need an inexpensive hose to use on a small garden bed or some container plants, a lightweight vinyl hose, which often has tire-cord reinforcement, would be a good choice. They can be picked up at all stores that carry plants and garden items such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Fred Meyers. They will easily last through the season and with little use, another season or even two. They will not do well if ran over by your car or if the dog thinks it is a toy.

.

As inexpensive vinyl hose

If you need to do more watering and/or have a larger garden: you will want a garden hose that has rubber added. A garden hose with a rubber/vinyl construction will cost a bit more than the vinyl option but they will last a lot longer as well as be more sturdy and durable. The added rubber is what helps them last season to season but they are also heavier: making them harder to move around. But, I can tell you from experience that they do survive being driven over! They can also be picked up in the stores mentioned above as well as Sears and Ace Hardware who both also reduce their prices as the season winds down.