best garden hoses avail in greater Vancouver BC?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by Georgia Strait, Jul 29, 2015.

  1. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Location:
    South Okanagan & Greater Vancouver, BC Canada
    Hello - I am sure there are many of us out there (and possibly prev posts) asking this question -

    some of my garden hoses are wonderful - bendy - not to tangled - no crimping (not sure the word)

    some are awful - constantly tangled etc.

    obviously - you get what you pay for
    and then take care of them properly

    which brand has anyone found the best for a small cottage style garden (not a farm veggie patch with straight rows)

    I have to consider being able to easily put the hose away as it crosses the main path to our cottage front door - and a driveway - and apparently some people don't know "never drive over a hose!"

    Swan, Scotts, Gilmour - these are brands I know about and have looked at recently - I for sure like the Dramm spray nozzles - the best.

    FINALLY - has anyone tried those tight curly hoses that look like X-Hose?

    thank you
     
  2. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    In answer to your last question: YES!
    I have one of the crinkly expandable hoses hooked up at the front of my house, and it is GREAT. When not in use it shrinks up to fit inside a large flowerpot---to use I lift it out, turn on the faucet, and watch it GROW! Wonderful to NOT have to deal with the previous heavy, stiff, dirty, prone-to-kink hoses of the past, the ones I had to wrassle into submission to get hung back up on the clunky hook thingey right by the front door. (See Laocoon and the serpents.) So much neater, lighter, easier! My frequent peeve with outdoor appliances is that one must be HERCULES to manipulate them: this hose is one I can use with ease. Hooray!

    Now, these caveats.
    Yes, DO spend a bit more money and get the top quality, the newer kind with metal fitments. My current hose has these and is all-around sturdier than my first one, which did OK but whose plastic parts ultimately gave out.
    If you will be dragging the hose across rough pavement, giving it really hard use etc then maybe stick with the traditional anaconda wrestling.

    BUT---from your description I think that a crinkly hose would suit you well, esp since it can be put away in an amazingly small space.
    Interesting to watch it expand---and then shrink slowly when water is turned off!
     
  3. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    thank you for your prompt response - what BRAND do you have - and did you buy it this year?

    and where did you buy it?

    what LENGTH do you have (ie does length make a diff to this type of "expandable" hose and how well it behaves)?
     
  4. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    The current one was purchased at the beginning of this season, say May or so.
    Spouse got it at Menard's, which is a local version of Lowe's/Home Depot.

    Mine is a Pocket Hose 'Dura-Rib', with 'Revolutionary DURA-RIB Inner Tube', 50 ft:
    http://www.pockethosedurarib.com/index.jsp
    (Sorry for the loud video: be braced to hit 'pause'!)

    Shows how observant I am! Mine has the 'amber tip' connectors, NOT the brass. (When you get old...)
    Later models have much improved durability of both hose and connectors.
    My other one was the same length, so I dunno about the behavior of longer ones.
    I think the main difference would be that you'd need a larger flowerpot to store it in!
    I also use the hose when I wash my car. Marvelous! So much easier.
     

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