Did you know that there are about 30 million garden hoses sold every year?
Does that mean garden hoses are an essential garden equipment with unique guide system if you are a homeowner?
What do you use a garden hose for?
A garden hose is used for your day-to-day activities like:
- Watering plants
- Washing cars
- Putting off fires
- Giving your dog a bath
You use it for a lot of your day to day chores, but when you buy one, you get distracted by the freebies and buy something that costs you your time and efforts.
So, what are the qualities that you should look for when going out to buy a garden hose?
It should help to focus on the qualities and benefits it can provide you over cost and the free promotional items that come with it. Lookout for these qualities instead of focusing on buying the cheapest option available:
- Durability
A garden hose needs to be durable to withstand the changing weather conditions, whether it is used on rainy days or dry, sunny days.
It should not kink, crush or puncture while being handled. It would be best if you chose a hose made of Virgin plastic because it is more durable.
If you are a newbie at gardening, it might be difficult for you to differentiate between recycled and virgin plastic, so a quick tip for you, make sure the plastic does not have a grainy texture and is smooth.
- Flexibility
If a garden hose is made of a material that is too hard, it can cause breakage during winters.
A garden hose needs to be flexible and soft so that it is easy for you to use.
If you buy a garden hose that is too soft, it will not withstand the dry summers.
- Dimension
One important factor you should keep in mind before buying a hose is the dimension or diameter of the hose.
If the hole is too small, it will reduce the amount of water coming out of it. On the other hand, if the diameter is too big, it will lead to excess release of the water, which can, in turn, be damaging for the plants.
- Transparency
The biggest problem that users face when using a garden hose is Algae growing inside their houses. Algae growth results in reduced water flow over time. It is better to invest in an opaque garden hose as a transparent hose has a higher tendency for the growth of these organisms.
- Toxicity
Did you know your regular garden hose is made of chemicals that have a detrimental effect on your health and the environment?
It is better to use a hose that is phthalate-free as phthalates can potentially have a negative impact on our health.
- Weight
Have you ever bought a garden hose that was great in quality and durability, but it was too heavy for you to take it from one place to another?
When buying a garden hose, you have to make sure that the weight is optimum, meaning it’s neither too light nor too heavy.
Many manufacturers try to con their buyers by making hoses that are light in weight to decrease the price per roll.
Is there a Garden hose buying criteria that we have missed out on? Let us know in the comments below.
