Every gardener with a vegetable garden needs a hose for watering their plants. Naturally, you want the equipment you buy to last long and function properly, and a watering hose is no exception. Therefore, gardeners often face the choice of which watering hoses are best to buy.
One of the best options is a cart-mounted watering hose. This makes gardening easier because you don't have to lug it around. Simply roll the cart, and the hose will unwind automatically. This hose also means less hassle once you're done: you can reel it in manually or use the reel's automatic rewind feature.
However, if everything were that simple, the question of which garden hoses are best simply wouldn't arise. An excellent list has already been compiled. 2016 sowing calendar for central Russia.
Characteristics of a good garden hose
To determine which watering hoses are best (photo), you should identify the main characteristics of this gardening device that make it so.
What should a watering hose be like?
- Not heavy, but durable.
- The hose must be multi-layered: the more layers the hose has, the higher its quality.
- The watering hose must also be resistant to low temperatures so that it remains just as durable and functional during frosts.
- The hose must have a nylon braid, this indicates strength and, therefore, durability.
Given these characteristics, the hose's color should also be considered. Clear hoses are not the best choice. Toxic algae can form in clear hoses, making the water used for watering plants unsuitable.
Garden hoses: which are the best? Many forum reviews suggest that even the cheapest green hoses aren't the best choice. Although, at first glance, they seem to meet all the characteristics of a good garden hose. However, these hoses have a very fine mesh weave, which leads to them tangling and pinching at every opportunity. And that's just extra hassle.
What types of hoses are there?
To understand which garden hoses are best, you also need to understand their types. There are single-layer PVC garden hoses, but these hoses often bend, thereby impeding water flow. Therefore, they often break quickly at the bends. This is not surprising, since, as mentioned earlier, a good hose should be multi-layered, which guarantees a long service life.
There are also single-layer hoses made of corrugated plastic. Although these hoses don't kink like PVC hoses, they also have a short lifespan. In both cases, the product lasts no more than two years. This option may be suitable for those who are prepared to replace their hose every two years, or for those who don't plan to continue managing their garden or city.
Three-layer reinforced PVC hoses are a higher tier. Some of these hoses can also kink, but only in special cases. Despite this, their service life is significantly longer than that of single-layer hoses. When choosing such a hose, it's important to pay attention to the manufacturer, as they often specify the service life of their product.
And finally, the most common type of hoses, which has established itself as a leader in strength – This is a reinforced rubber hose for watering. The highest quality ones are thicker (3 mm or more). It's also worth paying attention to the presence of longitudinal ribbing. These hoses are the most resistant to frost, sun exposure, and algae growth inside the hose. The warranty period is 8 years.
However, it's worth noting that PVC, plastic, and rubber aren't the only materials used to make garden hoses. The modern market for gardeners and homeowners also offers nylon garden hoses. What makes these hoses special?
They are very lightweight, flexible, and durable. They withstand repeated bending and pumping, but unfortunately, they cannot withstand temperature changes. Because of this, their service life is reduced to two years.
Based on the different types of hoses available and what they're made of, each has its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the best watering hoses, forums recommend considering the size of the garden and the region's climate. How is it done? planting cucumbers in 5-liter bottles.
Tips and tricks for choosing a garden hose
Garden hoses: which are the best? It's impossible to guarantee that any given hose will work properly, as choosing one depends on many factors. However, here are some tips on what to consider when buying a hose. These tips will help you make the right choice:
- The length of the hose should be selected based on the parameters of your summer cottage.
- The attractive appearance of the hose can also play into its hands: the ribbed and opaque nature of the hose indicate its strength and quality.
- The hose for watering plants must be able to withstand a water pressure of 5 bar.
- When purchasing a rubber hose, you should pay attention to its thickness: those with a wall thickness of 4-6 mm are the most durable.
- A spray nozzle can be made from improvised materials, so there is no need to overpay for it in stores.
- If you have a habit of leaving the hose on the site after watering, it is better to choose one that has protection from ultraviolet rays.
- Three-layer hoses are more expensive than single-layer ones, but their service life is much longer.
Choosing the right garden hose guarantees a long lifespan, proper operation, and clean, high-quality water for your plants. Anyone who loves their garden and plants will take the time to research which garden hose is best suited for their property. Even the most budget-friendly options can help you find a reliable garden hose that will last for years.

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Sofia
For me personally, the main criteria is that the hose be lightweight and kink-resistant, so I buy a double-layer reinforced one. And I'm completely satisfied with it.
Andrey
Whatever you say, the best garden hoses are rubber. Stretch hoses lose their shape after just one or two seasons, while PVC and plastic hoses stiffen when exposed to cold water.