There’s always something to water in the summer house. Even an automatic watering system cannot solve this problem. You still have to go, grab a hose and water the moisture-loving plants additionally.
Modern garden hoses are made of different materials. Perhaps one day you will be able to find one that will fit your needs to the fullest extent. So far this has not happened and it is necessary to buy the most suitable one. The main criteria for evaluation are, of course, reliability, practicality, price.
Brief article content:
Classic Rubber Hose
The classic version of hoses is rubber hoses. They used to fail pretty quickly, they could get damaged when bent, torn. Over time, they would dry out and start to crumble. And today such products are on sale, you can buy them by accident, not paying attention to the characteristics or on purpose, because of mistrust of new technology, because of the attractive cost.
At the beginning of the season, when seedlings, sprouts, seeds, fertilizers are bought, there may be a desire to cut costs, to buy a cheap hose. Still, it’s worth looking at more expensive options.
The new-style rubber hoses last longer – manufacturers claim 20 years. Of course, that’s not entirely true. A lot depends on usage, storage conditions. They last 5 years – that’s for sure, they can withstand water pressure of 8 atmospheres. They are flexible, resistant to high and low temperatures.
The hose can be thrown among the beds and nothing terrible will happen to it in the heat or in the frost. Even if you step on it, run over it with a wheelbarrow or a car, it will recover its shape.
Do they have disadvantages? Unfortunately, yes. After five years of active, slightly careless use, the reinforced hose will still fail. As with Soviet-style hoses, it will have cracks, then holes. The disadvantage is also the weight, the cost.
Polyvinyl chloride hoses
Single layer PVC hoses can last 3 years or more if used carefully. They are lightweight, which is probably their main advantage. They are characterized by flexibility, elasticity, but they can still be accidentally bent, broken. During watering, it is desirable to control the position of the hose. They should not be left in the cold.
They can’t withstand more than 3 atmospheres of water pressure. In dachas, the pressure is often 5 atm, 6. If this is not the case, you can buy just a one-ply PVC hose. It is inexpensive, it will solve the problem, even if spending on garden tools this month in the budget is not planned.
There are PVC hoses that are three-ply, reinforced. For a person who has just started dacha work, and the skill of watering has not yet developed, this option is probably more suitable than others.
In the height of the season due to repeated accidental bends, the three-layer plastic hose will not break, and this is the main thing. In addition, they can withstand frost up to minus 20, water pressure up to 10 atmospheres.
Durable and flexible silicone garden hose
The best garden hoses are probably the silicone hoses. They were recently invented. They cost relatively inexpensive, they have remarkable characteristics, but they have not yet become the leader of sales, because there are worthy competitors, objective shortcomings. There are two versions of them – reinforced and unreinforced.
Unreinforced silicone hoses are lightweight. Even a person with disabilities will be comfortable to water. They have an average life span of 10 years. But they can be broken. They can withstand water pressure of 3 atmospheres. That is why the second option was created – three-layer reinforced.
This variety is characterized by resistance to breaking, can withstand more water pressure – up to 10 atmospheres. The disadvantage is the cost. In comparison with rubber hoses and PVC, silicone three-layer reinforced win and only win.
The greater threat to plants in dynamic hand watering is rubber because of the weight, and PVC hoses last for few years.
Stretchable rubber hose
A unique, cutting-edge technology, a recent invention that’s already on sale in just about every garden supply store: the stretch hose. It is designed for hand watering. Under water pressure, it stretches and lengthens. It is ideal because it is easy to store, it does not take up much space. It also makes work easier.
It is made of rubber, with a nylon sheath on the outside that protects the hose from being stretched too wide. There is no need to fear that the cloth cover will quickly fall into disrepair. The fabric is resistant to damp, moisture, dirt, and is difficult to tear.
There are three length options on sale: 3.1 meters, as well as 5.6 meters, 8.5. The length increases by itself three times, approximately. After watering, the hose compresses by itself.
The disadvantage is that it is designed solely for watering by hand. Versatility is not a characteristic of it.
Optimal option for stand-alone irrigation
If you plan to create an automatic irrigation system at the cottage, what kind of hoses are better to choose? Silicone irrigation hoses can withstand frosts down to -20, reinforced PVC too.
Unreinforced ones don’t tolerate frosts at all, and rubber ones are indifferent to temperature drops down to -50. Rubber ones are beyond competition, that’s obvious. On the other hand, you can dismantle the system for the winter or protect it with insulating materials.
Regardless of the climate, you should choose a sprinkler hose to create an automatic irrigation system. It is designed for drip irrigation. This is the best option for taking care of the soil and plants, which, of course, the gardener does not forget, adjust the flow manually. When an automatic system is installed, however, special hoses are needed.
Additional features
In addition to resistance to frost and heat, it is important to pay attention to such a characteristic as resistance to ultraviolet rays. This is especially important if a PVC garden hose is purchased. He can harden under the influence of this factor. It is better not to leave it in the sun, if the manufacturer does not specify that it is resistant.
The color of the hose makes a big difference. Every dacha owner is probably familiar with this situation: garden shears, gloves or something else were left on the plot, it is difficult to find them. You can also be distracted from watering for a while, forget about the hose, and then not see, leave. The color will help to notice it in time.
Shades of green are popular, because the aesthetics of the natural landscape are not compromised. However, the motley colors are also a good choice. It is convenient. Photo hose for dacha of different colors will help to decide, to make the right decision. If you like red, yellow, white hose, you should choose it.
A lot depends on gardening tools. Unfortunately, nature does not do everything for man.
Cultivated plants need care. Only then can a rich harvest, tasty, beautiful fruits be harvested. It is an investment, an important, successful one – the purchase of inventory for the dacha.
There are other types of garden watering hoses. They are made of other materials and have other features. If there are specific needs, be sure to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of flat hoses, nylon, spiral, corrugated and not only.
Photo of hoses for the cottage industry.
01.11
