Types of Garden Hose Accessories

In many ways, your garden hose is the lifeline for your plants. You need to be able to efficiently get water from the spigot to your plants. Garden hose storage options like hose reels and carts also help you water your garden.

If you have a small space garden, you'll likely need one or more wall mount hose reels or hose hangers. For a larger space, a hose cart will come in handy.

Types of Hose Storage:

• Wall mount reels can be crank or looping style.
• Garden hose stands can be placed in your lawn for handy storage
• Hose hangers or hose butlers let you easily hang up hoses by a spigot.
• Hideaway hose storage for shorter hose lengths. Look for the battery-operated hands-free rewind option.
• Hose pots are multipurpose, decorative pots that can be used for plants when they're not used to store hoses. Make sure there's a drainage hole in the basin.
• Garden hose carts are a heavy-duty option. Look for features like airless tires, heavy duty leader hoses, metal construction and kink-free alignment.

Upgrade your watering essentials with garden hose connectors like splitters, quick connectors and more handy devices. Brass is the most durable material, but many come in plastic as well.

• Y connectors (sometimes called garden splitters) connect two separate hoses to one faucet. You direct the flow of water with a shutoff valve.
• Quick connectors are made for easily connecting and disconnecting standard garden hose accessories and attachments. Ideal for gardeners with limited hand mobility.
• Shut off couplings control the flow of water for hose sprinklers.
• Elbow connectors eliminate hose strain while providing full water flow.
• Threaded hose caps let you seal off the garden hose and prevent dirt and insects from entering.
• Hose fittings like O-rings and washers provide a secure seal with hose connections.
• Male and female hose menders replace hose ends, letting you use your garden hose longer.

Control water flow with spray nozzles and watering wands. Hose nozzles come in a variety of patterns to direct the flow and intensity of the spray. They can be trigger or twist style. Look for durable spray nozzles made of brass. Fewer working parts usually means that the nozzle will last longer.

Look for adjustable spray patterns to fit your watering needs. A high pressure stream is nice for knocking dirt off your driveway, while a gentle spray helps you direct water to plants without damaging flowers and foliage. Many times, water on foliage leads to plant diseases. Directing water flow to the base of the plant is better for blooms and plant health.

Watering wands extend the reach of your garden hose and are perfect for watering flowers in hanging baskets and other hard-to-reach spots.

Watering technology like hose timers and sprinkler timers manage water flow to your flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees and lawn. Timers help you conserve water and potentially reduce your water bills. They're also handy when you're traveling away from home and want to keep your garden watered.

Hose-installed irrigation timers can be mechanical, battery-operated or electrical. They attach to your outdoor spigot or midline between two hoses. Look for single and multiple-hose options for irrigation timers.

Soaker hoses are porous hoses that allow water to slowly seep into your garden. This deep watering capability helps new plants like shrubs and trees get a good start in the garden. Soaker hoses are handy in the vegetable garden, too. Just set up a soaker hose alongside your seedlings and cover with a few inches of mulch to reduce evaporation. Connect the soaker hose to your hose timer for targeted watering of your garden.

Hose guides protect your flowers and vegetables from damage as you pull the hose around your garden. They're especially important around corners. You can purchase decorative metal hose guides or make your own from copper pipe.

Watering cans are an efficient way to deliver water to your indoor and outdoor plants. They're handy for mixing up water soluble fertilizer and feeding your garden plants.

In the garden, you'll appreciate a watering can's portability and ability to direct water to plant roots. Look for a watering can that feels comfortable in your hand and fits under your outdoor faucets.

During one inch of rainfall, a rain barrel can gather up to a half-gallon of water per square foot of roof. Rainwater collection is an efficient way to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff with the bonus of a reduced water bill.

When you set up a rain barrel, you'll have stored rainwater for your garden, to wash cars and other household uses. You can purchase a rain barrel or make your own from a 55-gallon plastic drum. Attach a garden hose to the rain barrel spigot to use in your garden.