How to Store Garden Hoses for the Winter

The lowly garden hose deserves the very utmost respect! Nothing in your garden works harder and provides more service than this often neglected piece of equipment. Here's how to help prolong the life of this tool by storing it correctly over the winter months.

Things You'll Need

• Garden Hose Racks
• Garden Hose Reel Carts
• Garden Hose Reels
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Coffee Cans
• Common Nails
• Hammers

Instructions

1. Drain all the water out of the garden hose at the end of the season. Water left inside may freeze, causing the material to rupture as the ice expands.

2. Coil the hose. Storing the hose in a coiled position will prevent kinks from developing.

3. Connect the end fittings. Fasten the male and female ends of the hose together to prevent spiders from making a winter home inside your garden hose.

4. Store the drained and coiled hose in the garage or toolshed.

5. Store the hose up off the floor. A shelf or a dedicated hose hanger will prevent the rubber material from rotting on the ground. Air circulation is vital in preventing mildew from forming.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a hose hanger by nailing a coffee can to the wall. The nails should be driven through the bottom of the can.

• Don't hang your hose on a nail, which may cause kinks - the enemy of all garden hoses.

• Never store hoses with kinks in them! Kinks weaken the fabric and will eventually cause leaks.