The Perfect Garden Hose – Love at First Sight?

Finding the perfect garden hose is seldom as simple as walking into a hardware store and grabbing the first hose you spot on the shelf. Many people don’t put much thought into buying a garden hose at all, which costs them in the long run. They may end up with a garden hose that kinks and twists and makes watering the garden far more difficult than it needs to be. They may end up with a hose that splits or breaks, or a cheap garden hose that breaks off from the garden hose fittings. That cheap garden hose they thought was such a bargain can end up costing them a lot more than they planned.

Even a cheap garden hose will cost you $12 to $15. A high-quality garden hose will cost you anywhere from $20 to $50, depending on the size and type of hose you choose. The cheap hose may get you through one summer season – if you’re lucky. A good ½ inch garden hose or ¾ inch garden hose, on the other hand, can easily last you five to ten years. Do the math and it’s easy to see why it makes more sense to buy a high-quality garden hose instead of dishing out $15 every summer for a hose that won’t last.

Beyond quality, though, there are a number of things to consider when you’re picking up a new hose for your garden. Here are the most important considerations to help you choose the perfect garden hose, even if it’s not one you fall in love with at first sight.

Use

How are you planning to use your garden hose? If you’re like most people, you want a basic hose that you can use to water the garden one day and wash your car the next. A standard water hose will suit your needs just fine. Will you leave it outside or store it inside? If you need a hose throughout the year in an area that dips into the freezing temperatures, you’ll want to buy a heated garden hose to make your life easier and prolong its life. If your hose won’t go much further than your patio, your best option may be a coil garden hose, which takes up little space and looks good on your patio. Finally, consider a drinking safe garden hose, especially if you’ll be using it around small children or plan to water vegetables with it. These hoses are made of materials that won’t leach into the water, making them safer and healthier to use.

Reach

Consider how far you want to be able to reach with your garden hose and choose a length that will just get there. The further the water has to travel through the hose, the lower your water pressure will be when it gets there. If you do most of your gardening within 25 feet of the water faucet but occasionally want to drag it out to the driveway, you’re better off getting two 25-foot hoses and coupling them when you need more reach.

Choosing the right garden hose for your needs can save you money and make your life easier. Before you head out to the hardware store, figure out how you’ll use the hose and how far you want it to reach and you’ll find your choice is much easier to make.