Selecting a garden hose is more complex than you may initially think. We rely on garden hoses to help us keep our lawns and gardens lush, but if we buy the wrong ones we may actually be doing more harm than good. An inadequate water hose can fail to water your lawn efficiently; you may think that you're doing everything that you should, when in fact the vegetation will begin to die off.
Furthermore, this will cause you to spend more time than you need watering your lawn. A poor quality garden hose will also need to be replaced prematurely. Ultimately, this will result in you spending more money on lawn maintenance than is strictly necessary.
But how do you select a good garden house? There are actually lots of different options for you to choose from, and it's easy to get overwhelmed by choices. That's why we're laying out a guide for those of you who can't quite decide between flexible garden hoses. With that being said, let's dive in.
What Type of Hose Do You Need?
We don't often think about the fact that there are so many different garden hoses to choose from. But the reality is that there is more than one type of garden hose on the market. Many homeowners own lightweight flexible garden hoses, which are meant to be easy to handle and ideal for small scale projects. Often made of vinyl, these garden hoses are thinner and tend to come with plastic fittings. They are prone to kinking but are usually less expensive than heavy duty water hoses.
If you're on a budget and don't plan on watering your garden very often, lightweight flexible garden hoses may be right for you. But don't expect high water pressure levels, and plan on replacing it frequently. The best materials from which garden hoses can be made is rubber. Rubber is more flexible and less prone to kinking. It will additionally last longer, as will metal fittings as opposed to plastic ones.
Those who prefer very lightweight hoses but don't like the idea of the typical vinyl hoses may want to consider expandable hoses. These are more for small scale projects and have a contractable quality similar to a slinky. Some homeowners like the fact that they can be packed away into small spaces while expanding to allow for further water pressure. They should be stored out of the sun for preservation purposes and may need to be replaced frequently.
Drinking water safe hoses are made to offer people the ability to drink out of their flexible garden hoses. These hoses are made of materials that won't pass harmful chemicals into the water and can otherwise be compared to many vinyl hoses.
Soaker hoses are meant for more heavy duty projects and irrigation. They have porous walls, and water oozes out through tiny holes in the hose. This lets water seep into the ground.
What Add-Ons Should You Buy for a Hose?
Even after you have the hose that you need, you'll likely still require certain add-ons. This can allow you to more efficiently water your lawn. One obvious option is a sprinkler. With a sprinkler, you can simply attach your hose to the sprinkler system and let it go. Usually, lawn watering with a sprinkler system will take anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes.
Other attachments you should consider include different nozzles that allow you to change the water pressure easily. Nozzles can also allow you to spray more difficult to reach parts of your garden, ensuring that all of your plants are sufficiently watered. There are also attachments that you can use to ensure that you don't waste any water unnecessarily.
While it can be difficult to justify spending a significant amount of money on a garden hose, it shouldn't be. Without a high quality hose, your lawn will be in poorer condition, and you will find yourself spending more money on replacements and more time out under the sun. Invest in a good water hose, as well as great attachments, and you'll have a garden that you can be proud of!
