Steps to Choosing the Right Garden Hose

Whether you have a baronial estate or a small patio garden, your garden hose is an essential piece of outdoor equipment. In fact, even if you don’t have a garden or lawn, you’ll still want a garden hose for washing your car, hosing down your house or washing down backyard toys and equipment. Choosing the right garden hose for your needs can make your gardening and outdoor tasks easier and more efficient. Decide what you’ll use your hose for, then purchase the garden hose that best fits your needs. These tips can help you make the best choice for your watering and outdoor maintenance needs.

Decide how long you want your hose to be. You can purchase garden hoses in a wide variety of standard lengths, from 10 feet to more than 100 feet. Unless you have to routinely reach areas of your property that are more than 50 feet from the outdoor spigot, you’ll probably find that a 50-foot garden hose more than meets your needs. If your garden is right by the faucet, a 25-foot length will be more than sufficient. If you’re gardening in a small space, such as on your patio, consider a coil garden hose, which is designed to give you the length your need without taking up a lot of precious room.

Choose the right hose diameter. Just as there are standard lengths for garden hoses, there are also standard garden hose diameters. The two most commonly bought sizes are 1/2 inch garden hose, which will deliver about 9 gallons of water per minute, and 3/4 inch garden hose, which will deliver twice that amount of water. If your water pressure is low, consider choosing a higher diameter garden hose which will lose less water pressure over distance than smaller diameter hoses.

Keep in mind that water pressure will also be affected by the length of the hose you choose. The further the water has to travel between the spigot and the business end of your garden hose the lower the water pressure will be. Choose the shortest length of hose that will suit your needs to maintain the highest water pressure possible.

Pick a garden hose with the best material for your climate. Most garden hoses are made of vinyl or rubber, generally reinforced with nylon, cloth or other materials. Rubber hoses are more durable, weight more than vinyl garden hoses and are generally more expensive than vinyl hoses. Choose garden hose made of rubber if you live in an extreme climate and will be using the hose in very cold or very hot weather.

If you live in a mild climate and will not be using your garden hose for more than light watering duties, a vinyl garden hose may be sufficient for your needs. Be aware that many garden hoses are treated with chemicals or have phthalates or BPA in the vinyl with which they are made. If you will be watering edible plants, drinking water from the garden hose or using the garden hose to water livestock or other animals, choose a drinking safe garden hose to be on the safe side.

Invest in a garden hose reel to protect your hose from damage when it’s not in use.

Choosing the right garden hose can greatly increase its life and make your gardening and household maintenance chores much easier. If you’re still not sure which hose is the best one for your use, talk to the manager at your garden supply store for more advice.

How Does a Heated Garden Hose Work?

If you have regular need for a garden hose outdoors in below-freezing temperatures, you may be doing a lot more work than you have to do. Letting water freeze inside your garden hose can weaken and crack the materials, and make it impossible to use. Unless you have a heated garden hose, you have to remove the hose from the spigot, drain it completely and bring it inside to keep it warm every single time you use it. Whether you use a garden hose for getting water to animals during the winter, grooming a backyard ice rink or providing water for your hot tub, greenhouse or Jacuzzi, a heated garden hose can make your winter life much easier.

What Is a Heated Garden Hose?

A heated hose is a garden hose fitted with an electric heater to keep it warm when the temperature drops below freezing. Typically, the hose’s female connector end is fitted with an insulated cuff that plugs into a GCFI-protected outdoor extension cord. The highest-quality heated garden hoses are thermostatically controlled – that is, the heater turns on when the temperature drops below a certain temperature and turns off when the ambient air warms above that temperature.

How a Heated Garden Hose Works

The better garden hoses are heated along their full length by electrical wires that are molded into the PVC vinyl of which the hose is made. When the power is on, electrical power runs through the wires and heats the hose, keeping the water flowing inside it from freezing.

Isn’t That Dangerous?

Heated garden hoses are specially constructed to prevent the water from coming into contact with the electricity. Look for heated hoses that meet NSF-61 safety standards for electrical devices to make sure that your garden hose is as safe as possible.

How Much Power Does a Heated Garden Hose Use?

While the precise measurement varies from one manufacturer to the next, a 25-foot 1/2 inch garden hose will draw about 200 watts of power. A 50-foot hose will draw about 400 watts of power. For comparison purposes, your refrigerator draws about 1,000 watts.

Not all heated garden hoses are created equal. If you need to deliver water outdoors in freezing temperatures, shop around for a high-quality heated garden hose to handle your needs. The very best brands are manufactured in the United States and are 100 percent drinking water safe garden hoses that can be used for anything from providing water for livestock to providing water for your RV during the winter. Don’t put up with frozen hoses all winter long. Get a garden hose that keeps your water flowing when all heck has frozen over.