So, you need a garden hose, right? It's just a tube that brings water to your plants, car, or whatever else you need to wash outside. It hooks up to your outdoor water thingy.
What kind of hose should you get?
* **Rubber Hoses:** These are tough and can handle all kinds of weather and chemicals. A bit heavy, but they last a long time.
* **Vinyl Hoses:** Cheap and easy to carry, but they don't last as long and can get bent easily.
* **Hybrid Hoses:** A mix of rubber and vinyl. Not too heavy, but not too flimsy.
* **Expandable Hoses:** These are light and get bigger when the water's on, then shrink back down. Easy to put away, but they wear out faster.
* **Soaker Hoses:** These leak a little bit of water all along the hose, good for watering plants right at the ground.
* **Coiled Hoses:** They curl up like a spring, so they don't take up much space or get tangled.
Here's what to think about when buying one:
* **How Long?** They usually come in lengths from 25 to 100 feet. Get one that's long enough for your yard.
* **How Wide?** Usually about a half-inch, five-eighths of an inch, or three-quarters of an inch across. Five-eighths is normal, the balance between the amount of water that comes out and how easy it is to use. Wider ones let more water through, but they're bulkier.
* **What's it Made Of?** Rubber ones are the toughest. Vinyl ones are lighter and cheaper.
* **How Thick?** The thicker the walls of the hose, the tougher it will be when highly pressurized..
* **What are the Connectors Made Of?** Brass lasts, aluminum is light, and plastic is cheap, but breaks easily.
* **How Heavy?** Tougher hoses are heavier, so more work to move around.
* **How Bendy?** You want a hose that doesn't bend too much, or stop the water flow. Rubber is best.
* **Does it Bend Easily?** Some hoses are made so they don't bend much.
Things to Know About Water
* Most hoses can handle about 40 to 80 PSI of water pressure.
* Wider hoses give you more water.
* Make sure your hose can handle your home's water pressure.
What are they Used For?
* Watering plants and grass
* Washing your car
* Filling up pools
* Cleaning outdoor stuff
* Hooking up sprinklers
How to Keep Your Hose Working
* Don't bend it too much. Coil it up when you're done.
* Empty the water out after using it, so it doesn't freeze or get moldy.
* Keep it out of the sun in the winter, so it doesn't crack.
* If it breaks, fix it with a kit or replace the bad part.
* Don't drag it on the ground, or it will wear out faster.
Extra Stuff You Can Get
* Nozzles: Change the water spray.
* Sprinklers: Water big areas.
* Hose Reels: Keep your hose neat.
* Splitters: Hook up multiple hoses.
* Timers: Water automatically.
Fixing Problems
* Leaks: Tighten the connections or replace the washers.
* Bends: Get a better hose or use hose guides.
* Low Water: Check for problems or get a wider hose.
* Cracks: Usually from the sun or cold, replace the bad part.
Be Nice to the Planet
* Use a shut-off nozzle to save water.
* Fix leaks ASAP.
* Use soaker hoses to water plants better.
* Don't leave hoses in the sun.
What kind of hose should you get?
* **Rubber Hoses:** These are tough and can handle all kinds of weather and chemicals. A bit heavy, but they last a long time.
* **Vinyl Hoses:** Cheap and easy to carry, but they don't last as long and can get bent easily.
* **Hybrid Hoses:** A mix of rubber and vinyl. Not too heavy, but not too flimsy.
* **Expandable Hoses:** These are light and get bigger when the water's on, then shrink back down. Easy to put away, but they wear out faster.
* **Soaker Hoses:** These leak a little bit of water all along the hose, good for watering plants right at the ground.
* **Coiled Hoses:** They curl up like a spring, so they don't take up much space or get tangled.
Here's what to think about when buying one:
* **How Long?** They usually come in lengths from 25 to 100 feet. Get one that's long enough for your yard.
* **How Wide?** Usually about a half-inch, five-eighths of an inch, or three-quarters of an inch across. Five-eighths is normal, the balance between the amount of water that comes out and how easy it is to use. Wider ones let more water through, but they're bulkier.
* **What's it Made Of?** Rubber ones are the toughest. Vinyl ones are lighter and cheaper.
* **How Thick?** The thicker the walls of the hose, the tougher it will be when highly pressurized..
* **What are the Connectors Made Of?** Brass lasts, aluminum is light, and plastic is cheap, but breaks easily.
* **How Heavy?** Tougher hoses are heavier, so more work to move around.
* **How Bendy?** You want a hose that doesn't bend too much, or stop the water flow. Rubber is best.
* **Does it Bend Easily?** Some hoses are made so they don't bend much.
Things to Know About Water
* Most hoses can handle about 40 to 80 PSI of water pressure.
* Wider hoses give you more water.
* Make sure your hose can handle your home's water pressure.
What are they Used For?
* Watering plants and grass
* Washing your car
* Filling up pools
* Cleaning outdoor stuff
* Hooking up sprinklers
How to Keep Your Hose Working
* Don't bend it too much. Coil it up when you're done.
* Empty the water out after using it, so it doesn't freeze or get moldy.
* Keep it out of the sun in the winter, so it doesn't crack.
* If it breaks, fix it with a kit or replace the bad part.
* Don't drag it on the ground, or it will wear out faster.
Extra Stuff You Can Get
* Nozzles: Change the water spray.
* Sprinklers: Water big areas.
* Hose Reels: Keep your hose neat.
* Splitters: Hook up multiple hoses.
* Timers: Water automatically.
Fixing Problems
* Leaks: Tighten the connections or replace the washers.
* Bends: Get a better hose or use hose guides.
* Low Water: Check for problems or get a wider hose.
* Cracks: Usually from the sun or cold, replace the bad part.
Be Nice to the Planet
* Use a shut-off nozzle to save water.
* Fix leaks ASAP.
* Use soaker hoses to water plants better.
* Don't leave hoses in the sun.
1. Rubber Hose
* What it is: Made of, well, rubber!
* What's cool: Super tough, bendy, and can handle all kinds of weather and chemicals.
* Downside: They're kinda heavy.
* Best For: Serious work, like if you’re a pro gardener or your yard is a disaster zone.
* Good: They last forever, don't kink easily, and can take high water pressure.
* Bad: Cost more and weigh a ton.
2. Vinyl Hose
* What it is: Mostly vinyl or plastic.
* What's cool: Really cheap & light.
* Downside: Not very strong.
* Best For: Light watering, like washing your car once in a while.
* Good: Affordable and easy to move around.
* Bad: Don’t last as long, get kinks, crack in the sun.
3. Hybrid Hose
* What it is: Mix of rubber and vinyl.
* What's cool: A balance of bendiness and strength.
* Downside: Not as strong as rubber.
* Best For: Your run-of-the-mill garden stuff.
* Good: Cheaper than rubber, but sturdier than vinyl.
* Bad: Won't last as long as a full rubber hose.
4. Expandable Hose
* What it is: Stretchy tube inside a fabric cover.
* What's cool: Grows when the water's on, shrinks when it's off.
* Downside: Not very strong.
* Best For: Small-ish gardens where you want easy storage.
* Good: Don't tangle, easy to lug around, and doesn't take up much space.
* Bad: Can break or leak if you poke it, not for super strong water pressure.
5. Soaker Hose
* What it is: Leaky hose made of rubber or vinyl.
* What's cool: Slowly drips water all along its length.
* Downside: Can get blocked.
* Best For: Watering garden beds right at the roots.
* Good: Saves water, less water lost by air, amazing for drip watering.
* Bad: Can’t use a ton of water pressure.
6. Coiled Hose
* What it is: Springy hose, usually vinyl or rubber.
* What's cool: Stretches out and then coils back up.
* Downside:
* Best For: Small spaces like patios.
* Good: Doesn't take up space, puts itself away.
* Bad: Can be hard to drag around.
7. Flat Hose
* What it is: A hose that lies flat when not in use, either vinyl or rubber.
* What's cool: Lays completely flat when you're not using it.
* Downside: Not tough.
* Best For: Farms or firefighters.
* Good: Packs away easy.
* Bad: You won't see them in normal gardens, not as long-lasting.
* What it is: Made of, well, rubber!
* What's cool: Super tough, bendy, and can handle all kinds of weather and chemicals.
* Downside: They're kinda heavy.
* Best For: Serious work, like if you’re a pro gardener or your yard is a disaster zone.
* Good: They last forever, don't kink easily, and can take high water pressure.
* Bad: Cost more and weigh a ton.
2. Vinyl Hose
* What it is: Mostly vinyl or plastic.
* What's cool: Really cheap & light.
* Downside: Not very strong.
* Best For: Light watering, like washing your car once in a while.
* Good: Affordable and easy to move around.
* Bad: Don’t last as long, get kinks, crack in the sun.
3. Hybrid Hose
* What it is: Mix of rubber and vinyl.
* What's cool: A balance of bendiness and strength.
* Downside: Not as strong as rubber.
* Best For: Your run-of-the-mill garden stuff.
* Good: Cheaper than rubber, but sturdier than vinyl.
* Bad: Won't last as long as a full rubber hose.
4. Expandable Hose
* What it is: Stretchy tube inside a fabric cover.
* What's cool: Grows when the water's on, shrinks when it's off.
* Downside: Not very strong.
* Best For: Small-ish gardens where you want easy storage.
* Good: Don't tangle, easy to lug around, and doesn't take up much space.
* Bad: Can break or leak if you poke it, not for super strong water pressure.
5. Soaker Hose
* What it is: Leaky hose made of rubber or vinyl.
* What's cool: Slowly drips water all along its length.
* Downside: Can get blocked.
* Best For: Watering garden beds right at the roots.
* Good: Saves water, less water lost by air, amazing for drip watering.
* Bad: Can’t use a ton of water pressure.
6. Coiled Hose
* What it is: Springy hose, usually vinyl or rubber.
* What's cool: Stretches out and then coils back up.
* Downside:
* Best For: Small spaces like patios.
* Good: Doesn't take up space, puts itself away.
* Bad: Can be hard to drag around.
7. Flat Hose
* What it is: A hose that lies flat when not in use, either vinyl or rubber.
* What's cool: Lays completely flat when you're not using it.
* Downside: Not tough.
* Best For: Farms or firefighters.
* Good: Packs away easy.
* Bad: You won't see them in normal gardens, not as long-lasting.