5 Best Garden Hoses That Will Keep Your Lawn Looking Greener Than Ever
There's nothing like driving through a neighborhood and admiring freshly manicured lawns. Unfortunately, they don't always look this way on their own and need to be properly cared for. As Lawn Love points out, grass needs to be watered every few days throughout the year — not just when it's looking brown. Typically, it should absorb about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, even in the winter. Yet, during the summer months, you may need to irrigate it more because the weather is hotter, causing further evaporation. Additionally, consider your soil type, as this will affect your sprinkler schedule.
Watering your lawn at a certain time of day is also essential to making it look pristine, according to Scotts. Depending on where you live, doing so before 10 a.m. is ideal because the weather tends to be cooler and less windy in the morning, giving the water time to soak into the soil. However, if this part of the day doesn't work, turning on the sprinklers between 4 and 6 p.m. will give your grass enough time to dry before it gets dark.
To complete this task, you'll obviously need a hose. With countless options available, here are the five best garden hoses to keep your lawn looking greener than ever.
Average garden hose
More ideal for watering plants and flowers, a standard garden hose is still highly beneficial to transport water for basic home care around your property. As Electronics Hub points out, they're made primarily of vinyl or rubber and contain multiple layers of reinforcing mesh, allowing them to bend easily. Typically, these run-of-the-mill hoses are better suited for gardens and are available in heavy-duty and light-duty models. The former is usually more expensive and can be used in larger areas, such as a backyard or field.
One of Amazon's most popular standard hoses is made by Apex. With three lengths available, including 50 feet, 75 feet, and 150 feet, this medium-duty hose also comes with crush-resistant and leakproof couplings. A soft sleeve is also attached at the end to prevent kinking at the faucet. Additionally, it weighs roughly 6 pounds and is backed by a seven-year guarantee. With more than 600 reviews, some consumers believe you get a good bang for your buck. On a 5-star scale, this hose has earned a 4.1 rating.
Coil hose
A coil-shaped hose is uniquely designed to care for your lawn. According to Irrigation Supplies Store, they're meant to curl up into a tight spiral when unfilled and stretch out when water goes through them. While there are a variety of sizes available, be mindful that the coils don't inhibit the overall reach you may be looking for.
In the market for such a style? Then take advantage of the AUTOMAN coil-shaped hose, which comes in three different colors — blue, green, and turquoise — and reaches up to either 25 or 50 feet. Lightweight, yet strong and durable, this hose is easy and convenient to store after use. It also comes with a pressure-adjustable sprayer nozzle with seven patterns to satisfy different watering needs.
With more than 2000,000 product reviews, the AUTOMAN coil-shaped hose has earned 4.3 stars on a 5-star scale. Many consumers like its compact size and easy storage capabilities. Still, others lament how it can get tangled easily and be difficult to get back to its original shape. Not happy with the product? If so, return it and receive a full refund or replacement.
Flat-shaped hose
Similar to a fireman's hose, the flat-shaped models are — you guessed it — flat when not in use, but round when filled with water, according to Irrigation Supplies. Usually, these conduits aren't overly heavy and can be easily rolled up because they have the ability to self-drain. Comprised of vinyl, puncture, and kink, flat-shaped hoses also have lower burst pressure. If you have a big yard or field, this design may be beneficial in watering your lawn more quickly.
Available from Amazon, G Green Expert produces a 25-foot garden hose — it comes in the color green — that can reach a maximum pressure of 600 pounds per square inch of space. Additionally, it uses environmentally friendly materials and is free of toxic chemicals like BPA, lead, and phthalate. Lightweight, portable, and easy to install, the G Green Expert hose comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. On a 5-star scale, the hose has earned a 4.1-star rating.
Expandable hose
Similar to a coil hose, according to Electronics Hub, these models expand when they're being used, sometimes up to three times their length. When finished watering your lawn, expandable hoses will shrivel up quickly, as there is no longer pressure built up inside. While dependable, these hoses can also unfortunately wear out over time, which then prevents them from retracting as easily as they once did.
If you're eyeing an expandable hose for your lawn, Gardgaurd produces one of Amazon's best-selling models. Available in 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, and 100 feet, when the hose is not in use, it sits at around 17 feet. Depending on size, there are a variety of colors to choose from, including blue, green, and black. A 10-function safety nozzle is also included to make watering your lawn even easier. In addition, three washers, a hanging hook, and a storage bag are added. With more than 27,000 reviews, this hose has a 4.3-star rating.
Soaking garden hose
Last but certainly not least is the soaking garden hose, which is typically manufactured from recycled materials such as plastic and rubber. While common for gardens, they work just as well on lawns. Per Irrigation Supplies Store, these hoses spray water out of their many small holes, allowing for more grass to be watered at once. Furthermore, unless you have pets, easily find an area to house the hose outside and turn it on as needed. While they can be laid directly on your lawn, there's also the option to bury them to directly soak the soil. Experts recommend using stakes to keep it in place.
Available on Amazon, GREEN MOUNT sells a soaking garden hose that's 50 feet long. Made of PVC and rubber, this model has a maximum pressure of 60 pounds per square inch and produces a gallon of water per minute. On a 5-star rating scale, this product received 4 stars based on more than 800 reviews. Most consumers said it's durable and serves a useful purpose, while others complained of constant kinks. The GREEN MOUNT soaker comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty.