Finding the right hose for your garden

So you're looking to upgrade your garden and make watering easier and more efficient. Not sure where to start? You might want to take a closer look at your hose!

The common garden hose needs no introduction; whether you use it to hand water your garden or wash the car, you probably have one hanging around in your garage or baking in the hot outdoor sun (yikes!).

Why quality matters

Most garden hoses don't last long under heavy use or freezing temperatures. On top of that, poor storage practices can kink, crack, and ultimately create leaks in this indispensable garden tool. But not all hoses are created equal.

At Rachio, we recommend Water Right Garden & Soaker Hoses. They're UV-resistant and tough enough to resist conditions that spell doom for other hoses. And you can easily pair them with a Smart Hose Timer for automated, weather-responsive watering.

What about soaker hoses

If you want a hose for hand watering or to run a portable sprinkler head, an upgraded version of the traditional garden hose is going to be your best bet. But if you want targeted and efficient watering for your veggies, flowers, or fruit trees, then I'd like to introduce you to the soaker hose.

Soaker hoses (sometimes called weeping hoses) are garden hoses that are made from a porous material that can seep water out through lots of tiny holes.

This slow and steady watering method allows ample time for water to soak into the soil without flooding your plants or causing surface runoff. The hose is placed close to plants so that water goes where you want it and is also less susceptible to water waste from evaporation. 

The soaker hose approach is similar to drip irrigation in terms of water efficiency, but soaker hoses are typically easier to install and move around.

Where to use a soaker hose

If you have a home garden, flower beds, or other plantings you want to keep hydrated, soaker hoses are a great option because they water efficiently and they can also prevent weeds by intentionally applying water to the plants you want to keep, rather than watering a larger area.

How to use a soaker hose

Installing a soaker hose really couldn't be simpler.

1. Attach the soaker hose to your hose spigot or Rachio Smart Hose Timer.
2. Snake or wind the hose around the plants that you want to be watered so that the hose can deliver water close to the base of the plants.
3. Optional: To provide extra coverage against water evaporation, you can cover the soaker hose with an inch or two of mulch (this can also help keep the soaker hose in place).
4. Turn the water on at the spigot or set up a schedule in the Rachio App if you're using a Smart Hose Timer.

Tip: If you’re using your soaker hose with a Smart Hose Timer, you can set up a regular watering schedule so that your soaker hose waters automatically. This is especially convenient when you're on vacation or away from home, as plants get watered without any need of supervision. You can even make changes to your watering schedule on the go, directly from the free Rachio App!