How to Choose a Garden Hose

As gardening season approaches, it's a good time to think about your garden hose. In spring, hoses are sold everywhere from drug stores to department stores to home and garden centers--so if you want/need a new one--you can find one easily. While hoses are readily available, there are a lot of differences between garden hoses--and the one that works best for your neighbor--may not work as well for you. Here are some pointers on choosing the right garden hose.

Things You'll Need

• A little thought about how you will use your hose
• Understanding the features and related benefits of types of hoses
• Deciding how much you want to pay for your hose

Instructions

1. Consider how long your hose should be. Hoses are available in lengths of 25, 50, 75 and 100 feet. However, it's not always a good idea to choose the maximum length of hose you need to reach the back of your yard. This is because the longer a hose is, the lower the water pressure will be at the far end. So if you only need to get water to the back end of your yard say 75 feet away only occasionally, you could consider having two hoses: one at 50 feet for most of your watering needs and one at 25 feet to extend the hose when necessary.

2. Remember, hoses also come in different diameters. The most common is 5/8 inches, but 3/8, ½, 3/4 and 1-inch hoses are also readily available. The larger the diameter, the more water a hose delivers in the same amount of time (for example, a 3/4-inch hose will provide almost twice as much water as 1/2-inch hose in the same amount of time). So depending on how you will use your hose, you may want to choose a smaller diameter hose. For example, a smaller hose may be more suitable for smaller watering jobs like watering pots and containers.

3. Think about the materials in your hose. Most lower-priced hoses are made from plastic (PVC), mid-range hoses are generally a combination of PVC and rubber, while top-end hoses are primarily made from rubber only. PVC is light and durable; however, it tends to freeze in cold weather and it kinks easily, often making it frustrating to use. Rubber/PVC combinations are designed to provide the light weight of PVC with the durability of rubber and are a good compromise. Rubber hoses provide long life and won't kink, but they're heavier than PVC (and more expensive).

4. Consider the construction. Hoses are generally rated by how many ply they are (a ply is a layer of material). Low-end hoses are one or two ply, while high-end hoses are six ply. In addition, better quality hoses include a reinforcing layer of mesh inside the hose to help prevent bulging and bursting

5. Look at the couplings. These are the ends of the hose where it attaches to the hose spigot or sprinkler. Brass couplings are the best and most durable followed by galvanized steel couplings; then there are plastic couplings that are often used in the least expensive hoses. A coupling's shape also affects its utility, for instance, hexagonal couplings are easier to hold when tightening or loosening as opposed to the round couplings used on many hoses.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubber and multiple ply combination rubber and PVC hoses will last longest; however, they will usually cost you the most.

• Choose a hose that doesn't kink easily. You can test a hose by picking it up and bending it back on itself. A good hose will form a "U" shape and won't kink.

• Although plastic couplings generally won't last as long as metal, they can be easier on your hands. If your hands are tender, the plastic couplings may be a better choice for you.

• Treat your new hose properly. Drain and coil your hose after use and don't leave it sitting in direct sunlight. At the end of the season be sure to drain all the water out and store your hose somewhere it won't freeze.

• Garden hoses aren't made from food-grade materials, so putting a hose in your mouth or your pet's mouth to take a drink may be hazardous.