Storing Garden Hoses

Each time I mow the grass in the backyard, I dread moving the portable garden hose reel. Most times I simply get as close to it as I can with the lawn mower, but inevitably I have to move it to mow the tall grass growing around it. The problem is that I have to disconnect the hose from the spigot on the house in order to completely move the hose reel, and that process is a nightmare, since the spigot is a bit rusty and the threaded hose connector has become more difficult to release over time. Of course, the answer to my problem is to buy a house-mounted garden reel and install it. Doing so would get the hose off of the ground, allowing me to mow under it since the hose would be housed on a reel protruding from the side of the house, instead of sitting atop the lawn.

There are, in fact, many options for storing a garden hose. Storing a garden hose during the growing season and storing it for the winter involve many of the same steps. During the growing season, you have to follow the steps each time you use the hose, but only once when you put the hose away for the winter.

Although a garden hose is often the most valuable "tool" a gardener uses, it is frequently neglected during the growing season. In order for hose to maintain their shape and quality, you must not only store them properly, you must maintain them each time you use them. Here are a few tips for storing and maintaining your garden hose:

• Always spend a few extra dollars for quality hose, as they will coil correctly, resist kinking, and deliver water better than cheap plastic hose.
• When you are finished using hose for the day, drain all of the water from it, as water left inside hose will heat during hot summer days, causing ruptures to the material.
• Coil hose to store it at the end of the day to prevent kinks, and always store it off of the ground. Invest in a quality hose reel and install it on an inside wall of your garage, or on the outside wall of your house. Never store hose on the ground as they can develop fungus and then eventually rot.
• To prevent insects from getting inside hose, connect the male and female connectors together when the hose is not being used.

When storing hose for winter, drain all water from the hose, coil it tightly, and store it in the coiled position either on a coil reel inside of your garage, or inside of a garbage can inside of your home or garage. Do not leave hose outside during the winter, or it may freeze and cause ruptures to form.