Do It Yourself - Water Hose Blog

Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels trying to figure out how to take care of your garden? From the correct soil to ensuring the proper amount of sunlight, it can be frustrating when you do not see results. As a gardener, you may have overlooked an important aspect of the vitality of your plants, the garden hose flow rate.

The flow rate is the amount of water that passes through the water hose per minute, and it is typically measured in gallons per minute or GPM. Read below to find out some more information about garden hose flow rate.

Diameter and Flow Rate

The diameter of your water hose affects the amount of water that flows through it. Smaller diameter hoses will limit the amount of water coming out of the hose and onto your plants. It may seem like a lot of water is getting to your plants, but in reality, it could be compromised because of the diameter of your hose.

Water Pressure

You may not have noticed, but hoses come with a pound per square inch, or PSI, rating. The average pressure for home faucets falls in the range of about 50 PSI, but it can be as high as 80. In some cases, regulators need to be installed to limit the PSI, and they will help prevent damage to your plants. If you are using a hose nozzle or a sprinkler, look for a hose with a burst pressure above 350 psi.

Hose Length

You can water your garden more efficiently with a shorter water hose. Since the water does not have to travel as far, you can increase your GPM and cover more area in less time.

Determining Flow Rate and Efficiency

You can use a flow rate calculator or a bucket and a stopwatch to figure out the GPM for your water hose. A lower flow rate is ideal if your garden floods or if you live in an area that is more susceptible to rain. A higher flow rate is a good option for soils that absorb water quickly.

The correct flow rate will allow you to water your garden with less stress and time. Understanding the proper flow rate will put you on the path to becoming a master gardener!