Garden hoses

What are the different types of garden hose?

There are multiple popular types of a garden hose below:

• Multi-purpose garden hose - A regular hose for watering and cleaning, which you will buy in different sizes and material versions. It can be lightweight or robust.
• Layflat garden hose - A compact and easy-to-reel hose. It expands under water pressure, but when not in use it lies flat. Because layflat hose needs to be flexible to collapse when deflated, it is usually made of lightweight material. Therefore, its strength is sometimes lower. 
• Spiral garden hose - If you have a limited amount of space in your garden or just don't want to coil the hose every time, this option is for you. The hose automatically coils into a neat spiral. In addition, it is usually shorter, so it is suitable for watering small areas.
• Stretch garden hose - Another option for small backyards or patios. Although stretch garden hoses look modest, their length doubles or triples when exposed to a stream of water. However, they are usually used for light tasks and are not very durable. 
• Coiled garden hose (automatic) - This type of hose is also referred to as a garden hose on a reel. It is usually no different from the all-purpose version, except that it is easier to uncoil and coil. Some versions even coil up automatically.

Special versions of garden hoses

In addition to the above, you also have a choice of several special purpose garden hoses. These include:

• Sprinkler hose - This type of hose is usually flat along its length and has small holes at the top. When you run the spray, water will gush out of the holes as if from a sprinkler. 
• Irrigation hose - A hose very similar to the previous one. The main difference is that it is a garden hose with holes through which water slowly drips onto the garden bed. 
• Drinking water hose - Many of us drank from a garden hose as a child, but that is not a good idea. Most hoses contain toxic plasticizers that are harmful to your health. However, you can also find drinking water-safe hoses on the market that are free of BPA, phthalates, and lead.

What should you consider when choosing a garden hose?

When you are choosing a garden hose, firstly consider the following parameters:

• Length - A garden watering hose can vary in length. Consider the size of your garden or the distance of the water source from where you want the stream to reach, and select the appropriate hose based on this. 
• Diameter - The 3/4 inch garden hose is one of the most popular, but the diameters available range from 3/8 up to 1 inch. The wider the garden hose, the more water it will transfer, but it will also be heavier. 
• Working pressure - The higher the working pressure, the stronger the water jet the hose can withstand. If you want robustness in this respect, choose a reinforced garden hose or one with more layers. 
• Flexibility - The more flexible the garden hose, the easier it is to coil and uncoil. However, too much flexibility leads to kinking, which can result in splitting and damage to the hose. 
• Material - The most popular garden hose on the market is rubber or vinyl (or a mix of these materials). Vinyl hoses are cheaper and less weight, but not as durable. Rubber hoses are heavier and more expensive, but more durable and less likely to kink. In contrast, hoses made from a combination of vinyl and rubber are an intermediate choice.

What are accessories for garden hoses?

You will find a multitude of accessories, fittings, and couplings for garden hoses. Moreover, they are all available in a wide cross-section of price, function, and quality.

We list the most important hose accessories below:

• Couplings - These are what attach the hose to the spigot/outside tap and other attachments. They are made of brass, aluminum, or plastic. Brass is the most expensive option, but the best in terms of efficiency and longevity. Plastic, on the other hand, is the cheapest and least durable choice. 
• Nozzles - The garden hose nozzle gives a gun-like stream of water for cleaning or a wide, gentle stream that is good for watering a large area of delicate plants. Like couplings, nozzles are made from plastic, metal, or a combination of both. The metal ones weigh more but are more durable and less likely to break if dropped on a hard surface. 
• Reels and containers - A garden hose reel can be attached to the wall to provide a place to reel and store the hose. However, it will also work well in a freestanding version (such as a garden hose stand). The garden hose trolley serves the same purpose, except that it is portable and equipped with a crank for easy hose reeling. 
• Sprinkler heads - Attached to the garden hose, they irrigate a large area of the garden by themselves.

Of course, that's not all the accessories you'll find on the market. You can also choose from programmers that automatically start the sprinkler or water jet for spray hoses at a specific time. In addition, on the market, you will find, for example, products such as a foaming device for the garden hose or a simple garden hose holder.