The garden hose is one of the most frequently used garden tools, especially during summertime. Therefore, making the right choice is crucial. There’s nothing more frustrating than a hose that keeps kinking or one that easily gets damaged and starts leaking. Read expert tips and considerations for selecting the perfect garden hose.
Length of the hose
Consider how long the hose needs to be to effortlessly water all parts of your garden, and opt for a hose slightly longer than necessary. A short hose is a recurring source of annoyance, and a longer hose tends to be heavier, pricier, and harder to store. Common garden hose lengths range from 7.5m to 50m.
Diameter of the hose
Most garden hoses have 12mm, 15mm, or 19mm diameters. A larger diameter means more water can flow through the hose at once. For most household needs, a hose with a 15mm diameter suffices. However, if you need to move large volumes of water quickly, such as for a pond or a large lawn, a hose with a larger diameter might be more practical.
Material of the hose
Most garden hoses are made of PVC. There are also rubber hoses and textile hoses. As with any tool, the price difference often reflects the quality of the material. The cheapest hoses may quickly damage when continuously dragged through your garden. On the other hand, a professional-grade hose, like this one from Alfaflex, consists of 5 layers, features special ATH (Anti Torsion Hose) reinforcement to eliminate torsion under pressure, and has a UV-resistant PVC exterior.
Storage solutions
Merely owning a garden hose isn’t enough. Smart storage solutions make the recurring task of watering much more enjoyable and straightforward. For most gardens, a hose box is a good solution. This model by Gardena is attachable to your home’s wall. The 35-meter long hose and the 180-degree swivel hose box ensure optimal ease of use. The hose holder moves in the direction you do, preventing the hose from kinking or tangling. An integrated steel spring automatically and evenly retracts the garden hose after watering.
If you want to be extremely flexible with the hose — for example, if you need to water at a different location — the Gardena Roll Fix is ideal. This is a 15-meter-long flat hose in a cassette. Due to its flat design and lightweight, you can effortlessly take it anywhere.
Hose fittings, connectors, and sprayers
A hose fitting connects the end of the hose to a tap, spray gun, or garden sprinkler. Fittings with a water stop are handy. When you detach such a fitting from a garden sprinkler, for instance, there’s no need to turn off the tap first. Brass fittings last longer than plastic ones and provide a better connection to taps or sprayers.
With a connector, you can link multiple hoses. It’s also possible to use a three-way or Y-connector to distribute the water flow between two different hoses.
Different sprayers operate in their unique ways. A circle or sector sprayer waters a round area or a specific section of it. With an adjustable ring, you can set the size of the sector — for example, from 25° to 360°. A swivel sprayer irrigates a rectangular area. Water comes from many nozzles, swinging the water streams from left to right and back. A telescopic sprayer is handy for watering planters or flower boxes that are hard to reach. Thanks to an extendable handle, you can easily get to spots out of your reach with the spray head.
Check out our tips for watering your garden as well.
