Landscape and garden care usually requires a hose or two for general watering through the growing season. Unfortunately, it seems like there is no real good way to keep your hose laying about as it often gets underfoot, can cause you to trip, and generally become a nuisance when you have to mow the lawn. Trying to wrap it by hand is also usually problematic and still leaves it laying in the ground- which truly isn’t the best for its care either. Luckily you can purchase a hose reel that will not only help keep your garden hoses reel up and out of the way but also up off the ground for easy access and clean up.
Garden Reel Benefits
If you have spent time researching those options in our guide to the best garden hoses, then you definitely want to keep them stored properly. There are many benefits to investing in a garden hose reel, and not only because they are easier to store. Truly, one of the top reasons people choose a reel is safety. As mentioned above, they can cause you to trip, and since many hoses are of natural color, they blend well into grass and walkways. Many times the outside is also slippery.
A high-quality hose can cost a decent amount of money but are often worth the added expense because they last longer. They also do not knot or kink as easily as long as they are not forced into an unnatural position. A reel helps keep your hose wound correctly, plus many have a covering to help protect from drying UV rays- making your investment last even longer.
Many leaks in hoses occur at the water source as hoses are unnaturally bent and pulled. Many reels include a water connection to keep your ends from becoming loose and creating water leakage- which can become wasteful in both resources and cost over time.
Tips for Choosing a Reel
You’ll want to consider a few points before making a final decision on your hose reel purchase. The following provides a brief buyers guide to get you started:
What is the length of your hose?
Hose reels are sold by the size of hose they can effectively handle. This is probably one of your most serious considerations to ensure the reel you want is one that can properly store your hose. Most reels are well labeled, and if you are unsure of your hose length you can simply measure it for an approximate length as most hoses are in multiples of 10-foot lengths.
Do you need a mounted or portable reel?
If you have room for a mounted reel they can be quite handy and well up out of the way. You can mount them above your water source, to a side, or even along a fence. But if you have a smaller area to work within a portable choice may be a better solution, especially since most include a short connection to your water source, making it even more convenient to use.
How much effort can you apply to wind up your hose?
Some reels are simple and require you to loop your hose around it, others have a handle you turn to wind your hose up, or you can choose a self-retracting one. This is especially nice if you have a small work area near your water source, or you simply do not have the physical capabilities to be repeating winding and bending motions.
Is full hose protection important to you?
There are a few basic reel designs you can choose from, but they will either be open or enclosed. Open styles are usually those you self roll or have a handle to use to roll it up. Enclosed styles either have a handle or are self-retracting. If you live in sunny, dry areas it doesn’t take long for your hose to start to show the wear of this as small cracks form over time. Eventually, this will cause leaks. Protecting your hose can help keep it lasting longer.
Consider Accessories
Hose reel accessories are generally very simple in nature and involve ways to mount your reel or lock your reel into place if portable. Longer hose connections to your water source, as well as ways to turn the water on and off at the reel, rather than the source, can also come in handy.
Conclusion
A hose reel is an excellent addition to your landscaping tool arsenal. It can help keep your hose lasting longer, but more importantly, keeps it up out of the way for both aesthetic and safety reasons. Make sure to consider your hose needs, such as length, as well as placement of the reel when making your decisions. Personal preferences to design and physical access and also abilities are needs you may have and are easy to accommodate.
