Hose Holders and Storage

Well because it makes it easier to use when you need it. It also helps make the life of your hose last longer when stored. Everyone knows they hate Kinx when you go to use the hose and no water comes out and you have to spend that time finding the source of the stoppage.

And some Hose Storage and Holders can actually be a very nice touch to your home to add that cool unique look.

So say goodbye to tangled garden hoses and hello to great storage and the ease of using your hose.

Oh and of course it keeps the dogs for using it as a play toy.

Did your hose spring a leak? You may be able to save it:

Things You'll Need:
* Duct Tape
* Garden Hoses
* Garden Shears
* Hose Attachment
* Hose Repair Fitting
* Mild Liquid Soap
* Permanent Markers
* Duct Tape
* Permanent markers

Instructions:
Step 1
Thread a gun-type nozzle onto the end of the leaking hose.
Step 2
Turn on the hose to find the hole or leak.
Step 3
Turn off the hose, remove the nozzle and mark the leak with black tape or a marking pen.
Step 4
Purchase a hose repair kit from the hardware store. Repair kits allow you to cut damaged area out of the hose and reattach the two pieces with new connectors.
Step 5
Cut off the leaky fitting with your garden shears. If the leak is in the center of the hose, cut an inch or two on either side of the hole.
Step 6
Soak the cut end in hot, soapy water. The hot water will expand and soften the rubber, making it easy to slip the repair fitting inside the hose.
Step 7
Clamp the plastic pieces on either side of the hose and screw them in place tightly.

Tips & Warnings:

* There are brass repair fittings that press into place with a flange. There are also three part plastic fittings that are held in place with screws. Repair kits are available in both brass and plastic for male and female end fittings and also for repairing midhose leaks.
* For a pinhole leak, duct tape might work temporarily.
* If the hose still leaks after you have finished repairing the end fittings, replace the washer.
* Make sure the hose is threaded onto the faucet tightly to prevent getting wet.
* Once a hose is beyond repair, cut it into pieces and use for tree ties.

Too Complicated? Got to the store and buy a new hose.

We all need at least one Garden Hose. For watering your lawn or flowerbeds, washing your car or rinsing your trash cans, a good quality hose can last you many years.

Here are some Hose Buying Tips to help you

Tip #1
Determine the length of hose you need, consider the furthest point from your outdoor faucet where you will expect the hose to reach, then factor in a foot or two of slack. There is nothing worse than hose shortage!!!

Tip #2
A rubber hose will last longer than most PVC (polyvinyl chloride) hoses. Rubber, however, is heavier and will cost more - remember you get what you pay for. Many hoses are made from a combination of these two materials. Look for a hose with several layers - or plies - of material. The higher the number of plies, the stronger the hose will be and the longer it will last.

Tip #3
Look for a flexible hose - one that easily forms a loop or u-shape. Rubber hoses tend to be more flexible, especially when the weather gets cool. The more flexible it is the easier it will be on taking care of those watering jobs.

Tip #4
Hoses come in different diameters: the larger the diameter, the more water the hose will deliver. Sometimes bigger is better.

Tip #5
A higher quality hose will have brass fittings, not plastic. So be sure to check that.

Tip #6
Always shop around - there are always sales come Spring. So be a budget shopper and find your best deal.

Tip #7
Make sure you have a good storage place or holder for your hose to insure its life.

We all know as kids and even today we may steal a sip of water on a hot day from the garden hose and survived - but we have to ask ourselves - Is it Safe?

Here's the bad news your garden hose may be hazardous to your health. Many hoses are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which uses lead as a stabilizer.

When water sits in a PVC hose, lead can leach into the water in concentrations that, according to tests conducted by Consumer Reports, can reach 10 to 100 times the allowable lead levels.

Lead is a huge health threat that, tragically, is particularly hazardous for children under the age of six, because it can permanently damage developing brains and nervous systems.

The good news is that you can buy hoses that are lead free. They are made from FDA approved materials and the fittings are often nickel plated, because brass can also leach lead. They are labeled "drink-safe," or "safe for potable water."

With any hose, even one labeled "drink-safe," let the water run until it's cold before you drink from it, because bacteria can grow in warm standing water.

So next time you are thirsty out there in the sun with a hose in your hand - maybe you should think twice and get a drink from inside the house.

Some may think any time would do, but that is not true at all. In addition to thinking about water conservation when watering the garden, we should also consider the health of our plants.

The best time of day to water the garden is early morning, before the heat of the day has set in. This reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation, and also provides water for the plants to help them get through the heat of the day.

Do not water the garden during the heat of the day, because the water will evaporate, rather than penetrating the soil. The goal is to deeply soak the soil, encouraging the plant to put out more roots to search for water, rather than creating a shallow area of moisture and keeping it moist.

If watering in the evening, after the heat is passed, make sure to water early enough that the leaves of the plants will completely dry before night time. Fungal infections can colonize leaves which are left moist overnight, and roots will also suffer from being watered in the late evening. Being left moist and cold at night can lead to rot and fungal infections of plant roots, and not a result you want to have.

If you are trying to conserve water, water the garden with reclaimed water and rainwater - see our page on Rain Catchers
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