Everyone loves a good hose – it allows you to spray your child with a garden hose without getting her wet, let alone dirty. It also serves as an excellent tool for watering plants and lawns in your landscaping or as part of your home landscape design. Having said that, not everyone loves gardening and many people would rather have an expert do the dirty work for them. That’s why so many people prefer having a garden hose instead of doing it themselves, and why so many are buying retractable garden hose at present. However, if you don’t know what you are looking for, then reading through the various types of hoses can be confusing and intimidating. Fortunately, we have some helpful tips that will make choosing the best garden hose easier than ever before.
Buy The Right Size
If you have an above-ground pool or a kiddie pool, then you know that they get a lot of use. It is important to have a high-quality garden hose that can handle the wear and tear that comes with the regular use of a hose. If you buy a hose that is too small, then you will have to replace it constantly because it will get worn down. If you buy a hose that is too large, then you will be wasting money because you will be using it for things other than watering your plants. The right size for your hose is one that is long enough to reach your desired area, but not so long that it gets tangled or gets in the way.
Avoid “Rotary” Hoses
Most rotary hoses have been around for quite some time. However, as a gardener, you should not buy one. Rotary hoses were designed for lawns and other large surfaces. In fact, most rotary hoses only have a 1/4-inch or 5/16-inch hose diameter. This means that you will not be able to use it for watering smaller areas such as flowerbeds, vegetable patches and indoor plants. Thankfully, the rotary hose has been phased out of the market because it was a terrible design that wasted a lot of water. The rotary hose has a small diameter section in the middle of it that forces water to travel in a circle around the hose. This means that the water pressure is low, while the length of the hose is longer than it needs to be.
Find A Great Warranty
If you are going to be sharing your hose with family members, then you need to make sure that they know not to damage it. You will have much better luck with this if they have insurance on the hose so that if they damage it, they have to pay to have it replaced. This is a great way to avoid arguments between family members and it is a warranty that you should look for in any hose that is being purchased by more than one person. Even if you are only using the hose for yourself, it is beneficial to have a warranty because there are times when you may bump it and damage it. When this happens, you can simply take it back to the store and have them replace it without having to pay for it out of pocket. If you damage your hose, it is important to have it replaced quickly.
Check The Pressure Rating
It is important to note that the pressure rating of a garden hose does not refer to the force with which the water comes out of the hose. Instead, it refers to the maximum water pressure that is allowed to flow through the hose. If you are only using the hose for potting plants and your home landscaping, then you do not need a high-pressure hose. On the other hand, if you have an above ground swimming pool, then you will need a high-pressure hose. If you are unsure what the pressure of the hose you have is, then you can check the pressure rating on the hose. This can be easily done by removing the hose from the spigot and looking at the label that is printed on it.
Don’t Forget To Store It Properly
If you have a hose that you use for watering your plants, then you need to make sure that you do not damage it. This can be done by storing your hose properly. Hoses should be stored outside in a bucket of water. This will ensure that they do not get rusted, which can damage them significantly. If you have a spigot outside of your hose storage area, then you can simply attach your hose to that and use it whenever you want to water your plants. Hoses should also not be stored in a garage, attic, or cellar because these are all places that are extremely hot during the summer. When storing a garden hose, make sure that you do not block the flow of water by storing it in a bucket next to a sink or by putting it under a surge protector.
Conclusion
Gardening is an enjoyable hobby that can be done by anyone with the proper tools. Choosing which tools to use and which ones to buy is important because not all tools will suit your needs. With the right tools and equipment, you will be able to do your gardening with ease. A good hose is an essential item that every gardener should have. With the help of these tips and guidelines, you will be able to choose the best garden hose for your needs.
