If you've been gardening for any amount of time, you know that Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. It's a given that you'll have to get out and weed, maybe fertilize, deal with pests, and constantly water your flowers, veggies, and fruits. Investing in a few watering tools, like garden hoses, cans, and the best drip hoses can make the task of watering less of a hassle.
Drip irrigation systems work with very little intervention on your part. A basic drip or soaker hose is a porous tube that resembles a common rubber garden hose. With tiny holes poked in the tubing, the water drips out, delivering it at ground level to foliage, plants, and vegetable gardens. Installation is easy, and the overhead cost is low.
If you're investing in a drip irrigation system for the first time or looking to upgrade your current setup, check this out. We've compiled a list of the six best drip hoses your money can buy.
Gilmour flat weeper soaker hose
The easiest DIY watering system
This is an inexpensive clog-resistant hose you can place right on or in the ground for efficient, trouble-free watering.
Pros:
- Clog-resistant
- Affordable
- 25-feet of hose
- Can be buried or placed above ground
- Pliable
Cons:
- Getting the right water pressure takes practice
Our favorite drip hose comes from Gilmour. This is a flat weeper-style hose that measures 25-feet in length. You can lay it between seedlings and rows of plants, under bushes, or around trees that need attention. It can also be buried for year-round use. The small holes in the pliable vinyl slowly drip water into the ground, feeding your thirsty plants. This model is easy to hook up and use, and the price is nice.
Rocky Mountain Goods flat soaker hose
Seeps water consistently and evenly
This long hose has a double-layer design for durability.
Pros:
- 75-feet of hose
- Double-layer design is durable
- Drips water directly to plant roots
- Uniform drip rate
- Lays flat when dry for storage
Cons:
- Doesn't include an end stopper
This model from Rocky Mountain Goods evenly distributes water through the entire length of the hose, making it our favorite water-saving drip hose. Because of the consistent drip, you needn't leave the water on as long, and plants, bushes, trees, and even grass receive the same amount of moisture during watering cycles. This is a 75-foot hose with a heavy-duty double-layer design. When not in use, the hose flattens for storage.
Melnor flat soaker hose and timer
Put your water on a timer
Water on a schedule with this hose and timer kit.
Pros:
- 75-feet of hose
- Extra equipment included to prevent leaks
- Comes with a timer
- Weatherproof construction
- Easy to move around
Cons:
- Pricey
Never waste water again with this drip hose kit from Melnor. This bundle comes with a timer and 75-feet of weatherproof hosing, plus extra filter washers to help you get a good seal and prevent leaks. You decide when to water with the timer, and it automatically turns itself off and on. You can even use the built-in rain delay setting to conserve water when Mother Nature is at work. When the hose is dry, it wraps flat for storage.
Swan Products Element sprinkler soaker hose
Two-in-one design
This dual-sided hose has a sprinkler on one side and drip holes on the other.
Pros:
- Sprinkler and drip hose in one
- 50-feet long
- Hoses can connect together
- A bargain alternative to sprinklers
Cons:
- Doesn't fold flat
If you want one hose that's capable of watering your grass, flowerbeds, and your garden, this is the best drip hose for you. Swan Products' ingenious design gives you a drip hose on one side and a sprinkler on the other. To switch between the two, you'll simply flip the hose over. The sprinkler creates a fine mist for watering grass, and the drip hose side evenly distributes water through all 50 feet of the rubber tubing straight into the soil.
GREEN MOUNT garden soaker hose
Featuring universal connectors
This flat, durable hose is easy to install; you can be up and running in minutes.
Pros:
- Compatible with all water sources
- Flattens for storage
- Corrosion-resistant end caps
- Connects to other hoses
- 50-feet long
Cons:
- It's stiff rubber
Snake this rubber hose from GREEN MOUNT through seedling trays, flowerbeds, or behind shrubs for even water distribution. This is a thick rubber hose that comes with a universal connector, so you rest assured it will work with any water spigot or hose. The pressure on this hose is excellent, and it drips consistently from one end to the other. When you're ready to put this drip hose away for the season, it rolls flat and takes up little room.
LINEX garden soaker hose
A fast-drip hose that saves time
This 25-foot hose outputs water at a rate of three gallons per minute, evenly distributing it right where you need it.
Pros:
- Fast water distribution
- Drips evenly through entire hose
- 25-feet long
- Folds flat
- Works with multiple connections
Cons:
- Needs to be stored inside during colder months
This flat 25-foot flat hose from LINEX puffs up into a round tube when in use, quickly delivering water to gardens, dry lawns, and shrubbery. Water flow is rated at three gallons per minute, so it can feed the whole garden in hours instead of days. This is a thick hose that's both durable and resilient, allowing you to bend it around buildings, fences, and other objects without causing kinks or stopping the flow.
Save water and time with the best drip hose
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Investing in a drip irrigation system is a cost-efficient way to give your plants and garden the attention they need without having to haul water and hoses around by yourself. Our staff pick from Gilmour is what we consider the best drip hose. The 25 feet of hose is just the right size for seedlings or plantings, and it can be buried in the ground or laid on top of the soil or grass.
You'll save on your water bill with the flat, double-layer hose from Rocky Mountain Goods. It maintains even flow and consistently drips throughout the entire length of the hose, so you spend less time watering and more time enjoying your garden.
If you don't want to deal with turning a water spigot on and off manually, you need the Melnor hose kit. It comes with 75-feet of drip hosing and a timer for minimal maintenance.
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