SICK of my garden hose... Know of any good ones?

I am SICK of my garden hose. All along the length of it, it kinks and cuts off the water supply as I drag it around the yard. At the business-end, the water is cut off because of a kink right behind the wand-sprayer, so I constantly have to hold the sprayer at a horizontal angle to water (arm-tiring).

Is there a type of hose that is very flexible and will not bend and kink like the vinyl ones? Years ago, I remember seeing a black hose at K-Mart that was 'soft'-feeling -- perhaps made of rubber? Unfortunately, I didn't buy it.

Do any of you use garden hoses that are relatively problem-free? Thanks for any input.

Jean

I agree with you about vinyl and rubber hoses. So last summer I bought one of those flat fiber light weight hoses - complete with reel. It didn't last a week. Wore holes in it the very first time I used it.

Ha! I didn't try that one, but I went for the "curly" hose that looks like a big spring. Just not adequate.

My DH also bought a 100-foot black-and-yellow heavy-duty hose that looks as if it could be used by the Fire Department. He put it in one of boxes with a rewinding wheel inside. I'd get worn out just dragging the hose off the reel, and eventually, the reel broke -- so that was the end of that deal :(

I have 5/8" rubber hoses from Sears. They DO kink but not as often nor as badly as vinyl hoses.

However, the BEST thing about them (providing you buy the top grade) is that you get a Lifetime Warranty. When a hose gets damaged or just wears out, I take it back to Sears and they give me a new one. I find I do this about every 10 years, and I haven't PAID for a new hose in over 30 years except when I wanted additional hoses.

We buy FlexoGen I think it is called. Kind of a limish green. Advertised as the last hose you will ever have to buy. We get them at the ?Mart or Lowe's or Sutherlands. Not very expensive either.

I'll have to check out the Sears hoses. Thanks Darius.

Leaflady, do you like the FlexoGens?

LSP -- thanks for your comment on the coily, spring looking hose....Keep showing it to DH (the engineer) and saying, "Do you think this is a good hose?" Now I won't bother.

I'll second the comment on the collapsable hoses. Absolutely worthless. Bought because it was lighter weight to haul around, but it restricts water flow so it takes longer, and is a royal pain to rewind. I also have the heavy rubber ones, one of which is 20 years old and they are best, but sooooo heavy to pull. Bought mine one most recentlyat Sams, 100ft for $16.

heres what i did to end that problem. i buried my water hose from the spiget and had it come out right between my two garden plots. i attached the end that came out of the ground to one of those things that makes two faucets out of one. i attached my soaker hose for one garden plant and have one of those flexible hoses for the other garden. i used a tiller to bury the hose and have no problem with it for several years now. the hose was rubber and 5/8 inch.

Herbie--I've been thinking about doing that and then adding drippers throughout my bed that runs along the back edge of my property. How far under did you bury it? Do you drain it for the winter to prevent any freeze/thaw problems? Brenda

brenda- i buried it about 10 inches below ground. since the ground slopes slightly from house to garden never bothered to drain it. believe me, its the way to go. frank

Now that's a good idea. DH is going to love having to dig more holes. LOL. But it will be better than hearing me gripe about the hose!

We like the FlexoGen better than any other hose we've had. I won't say it won't kink, but it does better than most and it can take the heat and cold of our entire year. I do have one that is quite old that got left in the hot sun filled with water one day lat summer. It has a weak spot that swells now when you turn on the water but it doesn't leak.

We use the heavy ones from Sam's. Have 4 or 5 around here.
They will kink once in a while, but if you shut the wand off, the extra pressure will open the kink.
Bought onr of the coil ones,(from Sam's). We use it one of the retail greenhouses. People working there like it, but it is still pretty new.
Bernie

I've used a Swan hose (Lowes, HD) and there is one that is guarenteed not to kink (it's a darker green one). I have it and have not had a problem. Of course paid about $35 for it. I also got the Swan "Soft & Supple" and it's a PAIN! It kinks, I can't roll it up because the coils inside are going in a different direction. I like the idea of burying the hose!

Thanks for all the information. Keep it coming!

There is no substitute for hearing the experiences of those who have actually used a product, and I can't rely on statements made in advertisements.

I might get new hose(s) tomorrow. This hose is about to make me scream. LOL.

Jean

I was at Lowes and bought the worst hose in the world, but I did get this watering wand that is first-rate. It has mist, bubbler, left side, right side, up and down sprays,straight shot etc. It has an adjustable valve for flow, and the head pivots and the lengh is adjustable. The best thing is I can water 40 different plants in about 10 mins.Best 13 dollars i've spent in a while. P.S. Make sure you get a washer for the connection, or you will be mad at me.

Man, I'm all over this thread! We need a new hose, too. I just checked out Flexogen Hoses at epinions.com and they get good reviews. Evidently they have a lifetime guarantee like Sears' hoses, too. Here's a good in-depth review: http://www.epinions.com/content_116714016388

A timely article, "More than just the price" (how to buy a garden hose): http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-review-161B-19E2548C-3A3EC7B6-prod4


This message was edited May 16, 2004 1:57 AM

The name of my hose is
Colby he's a 2yo shihtzu. lol

Colby might help water, but I don't think it's quite the same! LOL! My MIL has a dachshund, probably slightly more hoselike just by virtue of his length! ;)

I purchased a 50' hose this year from Costco for around $15 and it seems like a real nice one. I don't know that brand. It has a lifetime guarantee, but I figure that it would be too much hassle to ever use it. The Sears guarantee would be nice if you don't have to keep track of your receipt. Last time I looked at hoses at Sears I seem to remember some pretty expensive ones.

- Brent

Brent... I never keep track of my receipts for Sears Craftsman hoses. They don't require it.

The coiled hoses are great for small areas but not large ones. they tend to tangle up in themselves if you have a long one. So for balcony sized yards or small patio gardens I would reccomend them but nothing larger.

jean - i just purchased two of the flexible hoses that spring back after use. i got them in sams club. they are 60 ft. and cost only 29.00. i use one which i attached to the hose i buried in the ground and the other i use on my deck. they even came with the hose caddy plus quick release fittings. was real pleased with them.

Thanks Herbie. Perhaps I'd better give my flexible coil hose another look.

Jean

Just saw these coiling hoses at Improvements Catalog and thought of this thread. They're on clearance there: http://www.improvementscatalog.com/Parent.asp?product=194413x&dept%5Fid=300&subdept%5Fid=301&macs=macs=MP4WGGL

very interesting thread, watching this one for sure.

I had a 100' rubber hose that I ended up giving away to one of my sons. It was a nice hose, but just too heavy to pull around. I want something light weight. I'd love to find something as light as the soaker hose I have.

Some news from today I thought you might like to hear: When I asked him which was better, the 50-something associate at Lowe's pointed me toward the Swan "heavy duty" hoses. There was another, newer brand, but he'd not tried it himself.

He said the Swan hoses are what he uses and says they hold up pretty well for him. The brass hardware at the end comes off before the hose has any problems; the one he has now he's used long enough the green's wearing off and the original black rubber is showing. He's never had a problem exchanging for a new one when one has given out. I figured I'd give it a try.

I saw this on television yesterday. Has anyone tried an all-rubber hose? What do you think?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=SEARS&pid=07169602000

Jean

LSP... If you look back to my post of May 11, you will see that the hose I recommend and use daily is the one from your last post.

Darius, I overlooked that. Thanks!

I thought that the all-rubber hose would be more flexible, "bendy," and "soft," so that it would not kind as badly as lesser hoses. Is that how this hose feels?

I did notice the Lifetime Warranty too, a definite plus.

Jean

Jean, ALL hoses kink. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise as it's against the Laws of Physics until such time as plastics and rubber change their molecular structures!

In my opinion, the larger diameter rubber hoses still kink some but not nearly as much as the cheaper vinyl hoses, and the Lifetime Warranty is just an extra BIG plus for me.

We've had so much rain the last couple weeks, I've hardly even had to water my potted plants, let alone the beds. So, I've not had a chance to try out the Swan hose I posted about above.

On a slightly unrelated note, check out Gilmour's water nozzles. http://www.gilmour.com/Headlines/headline.asp?articleID=13 I got a set on sale at Lowe's, and i like it. They had a pack with both nozzles and two sets of quick connectors for only $15; considering the one nozzle sells for $12.99 on the shelf by itself, this was a sweet deal It's comfortable and has a good sturdy design, is easier on the hands than the type with the spray handle in the back, and is made of metal not plastic.

This message was edited Jun 17, 2004 9:35 PM

How about this.....does anyone use or recommend a water wand? I got one last year to reach those darned hanging baskets! At just over 5' tall I still have to stand on my 2yr old's lawn chair to reach them with the water wand. The wand this year decided to create an annoying new outlet for water around the handle and now I've got a jet shooting out at about a 45° angle from the handle!

LOL, sounds like mine! Only I'm notorious for leaving my water wands out for the winter, where they develop cracks and poop out on me the next spring. Most of what I've seen made by Gilmour seems good quality. If you get a Craftsman one (providing they make them) it would be guaranteed, anyway.

I will add my 2 cents worth to this. I bought one last year at the end of the season and am wishing I could find 5 more. It was one of the flat ones but did not have the fabric type material on the outside.

It was absolutely the best hose I have ever used. You could use it even with it rolled up.

Unfortunately I ran over the one part of it that could be damaged and have not been able to figure out how to replace the end that I broke which now leaks.

I will try to find the box that it came in and see if I can find a name for you.

I paid 20.00 for 50 feet of it, but after using it for 2 weeks I was absolutely in love with it and am still kicking myself for damaging it.

I ran over the plastic connector at the end and because of the way it is made, I don't think regular hose repair connectors will work on it.

I keep thinking I need to find the box to see if I can find one on-line and haven't done, but this thread has reminded me that I need to do that, so I will go look right now!

I am so glad I saw this post and that it prompted me to dig out the box.

According to a search I did they sell them at Home Depot so that you could actually see one before you decide if you like it.

It is a Melnor Magna Hose and I have seen it advertised on TV, found lots of them by doing a search and I will probably order one online if I can find one that is not an arm and a leg for shipping.

Prices on line seem to range between 15 to 30 dollars for 50 or 75 feet hose, but the shipping varies considerably so I may end up looking at our local Home Depot to see if they have it.

I absolutely loved it for the 2 weeks that I got to use it and am really looking forward to getting another one.

Just remember to not run over the plastic connectors at the end of it!!!!!