Garden Hoses

If you've got a garden, you need a hose.  There's more to buying one than length and color. Materials, shape, and chemical composition are all important, both for your garden and for your family. Don't forget that you'll also need a hose caddy  or other storage device to keep your hoses out of the way when you aren't using them. 

Materials

The two most frequently used materials for hoses are vinyl and rubber.

• Vinyl 
• Vinyl  is lightweight and easy to handle.
• Inexpensive.
• Not as sturdy as rubber and won't last as long.
• Rubber  and Reinforced Rubber 
• Rubber  can take a lot more use and abuse than vinyl.
• Rubber hoses are more expensive, but they're generally more durable.
• Less prone to kinking and breaking.
• Rubber reinforced with nylon  or additional layers of rubber are the strongest hoses and can withstand exposure to the elements as well as temperature variations within the hose.

Additionally, hoses are built from layers of materials. Each layer is called a ply. The more layers, the stronger your hose will be. Hoses range from one  to six ply. 

Material Safety

Before buying a hose, consider how you plan to use it. If you occasionally drink from the hose,or plan to use it for backyard water activities (like filling the kiddie pool), make sure it is safe to drink from the hose. Some hose materials contain lead, which is very dangerous even in small quantities.

Size and Length

You need a hose long enough to reach everything you want to water. Hoses generally come in increments of 25',   so the longest individual hose you can buy is usually 100' long.  However, water pressure drops through the length of the hose, so you don't want a hose that's longer than you need. If you usually need a short hose but might sometimes need a longer one, you might be best off buying two shorter hoses and only connecting them when you need a long one.

The other important dimension of a hose is its diameter. Hoses available for household use come in 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and one inch. The two most common widths are 5/8"  and 3/4".  A bigger diameter will allow you to spray more water at once, but it might come at a cost of reduced water pressure.

Fittings

The fittings,  also known as the couplings,  are the ends of the hose where it attaches to something else -- either the water tap or the nozzle.  Fittings may be metal (usually brass) or plastic. Brass is more durable, but plastic is easier to tighten. A tight fit is important for water conservation, so be sure that you can tighten the fitting adequately.

Types of Hoses

Boat /Marine / Recreation  Usually lined  with a protective material to prevent lead from leaching into the water. The only hoses from which you can drink safely.	Coiled  Coiled hoses  are easy to store; no winding, just curl them up. Less prone to kinks but may not be as strong as other hoses.	Flat  Stores flat,  which reduces stress on the hose. Store long lengths of hose in a small space.	Drip /Sprinkler /Soaker  Tiny holes drip  water down into the soil to the roots of your plants. Helps conserve water.	Commercial  Strong, reinforced hoses  can handle hot water and intense usage.

Related Products

Hose Nozzles	Hose Reels	Sprinklers	Hose Repair Kits	Hose Connectors

External Links

• Lowes.com -- How to choose a garden hose.
• Wisegeek.com -- What should I look for in a hose?