Gardening can be a favorite hobby, or it can be a laborious task that reaps little rewards. The determining factors in whether you enjoy it or not is usually based on what kind of gardening tools you have access too. One of the often-overlooked "tools" is the garden hose. Most people decide on the kind of garden hose they want as soon as they get to the hardware store, but really in order to make a good choice there are a few things you will want to know before you go.

The most important question to ask yourself is how long of a hose will you need? Most people guess and always end frustrated that they have to make a second trip. For example, lets say that your yard is 100 feet from front to back and that your spigot is pretty much in the middle. Most people would feel comfortable settling on 50 feet thinking this will give them enough hose. But there are other factors you have to consider. Are there any obstacles that you have to go around? Most likely there will be. Do you plan on watering anything on the other side of your house?

Obviously the answer to that is yes. For this example then it would be safe to purchase around 100 feet of hose. This should give you plenty of hose to work with, and you wont have to worry about running out, or stretching the hose which can lead to wear and tear.

Once you have figured out what length of hose you will need, you should also give consideration to how much you plan on spending. The lower end hoses are usually very stiff and don't stand up to punishment very well. If they are left outside during the winter and you live in a freezing climate, chances are the following spring that hose is going to have cracks in it. The best hoses are hoses that are a soft synthetic rubber or plastic. These can stretch and be stepped on without having to worry about a rupture. Also make sure that the hose has a reinforced webbing to add extra strength.

To extend the life of your hose, it is best to always recoil it when not in use. And make sure to store it either in a garage or tool shed during the winter. Before putting it up for the winter it is also recommended that you make sure there is no water anywhere in the hose that can damage it.

By following these simple steps you will be able to always have the right tools on hand for any garden job, and that includes a good garden hose.