Every home in America eventually will find many uses for the good old garden hose. Before you purchase one however, consider a few of these tips.

1. Decide what length garden hose is right. Hoses come in 25 foot increments. How large is your yard For small yards, a 25 footer may be all you need. Keep in mind though that they longer the hose, the lower the pressure will be when the water finally reaches the end. If you have front and back yard spigots, consider two 25 foot hoses, one for front and back.

Another question to consider is how far from the water supply is your garden If your garden is at the end of your back yard and the only spigot you have is in the front of the house, a 100 foot hose might be the only option. Keep in mind that hoses link together easily so an additional 25 feet in length is achieved simply by link another hose to the end.

2. How much do you want to spend Like everything else, you do get what you pay for in a garden hose. Hoses can vary widely in price. Expect to spend about $20-30 for a good quality, multi-ply 50-foot hose. Prices may be higher for top-of-the-line, durable flat garden hoses.

3. Don't buy a cheap garden hose. You'll regret it later. Poor quality hoses have a very short life expectancy and are prone to kink up when in use. Hoses are constructed from one to six plies. A 6-ply garden hose will last along time as long as it is properly stored in the winter. In the long run, a quality hose will be your least expensive option.

4. Check to see if the hose you would like to purchase carries a good warranty. Most reputable companies will guarantee their garden hoses from leaking or cracking for a reasonable amount of time.

5. You may want to seriously consider purchasing accessories such as a sturdy garden hose reel. There is nothing worse than having to wrestle with your hose every time you use it. A garden hose reel will make things much easier when its time to call it a day and clean up. Simply wind it up and store it in the garage or shed.

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