Tricks to get the most out of your garden hose

Even if you have an automatic system, you still need a hose to wash the car and soak newly transplanted trees, shrubs and flowers. Here's what to look for.

• Garden hose PSI (Pounds per square inch) ratings range from 50 to 600.
• The higher the PSI, the stronger the hose.
• For a typical home that has water pressure of 50 to 60 PSI, a hose with 150 PSI should be adequate.

The strongest hoses are made from three or four-ply nylon, vinyl or rubber and should be reinforced with mesh. Be sure the fittings are heavy-duty cast brass.

A generous length allows you to reach all the relevant areas of the yard and garden without strain.

• A size A, one-centimetre hose is light and works well for watering small beds and containers.
• A 1.5- centimetre hose is bulky and awkward to move around, but delivers water faster to a portable sprinkler.
• A 1.6-centimetre hose is a good compromise, if you only have one hose.

• Store your hose coiled either on a hook mounted on the side of the house or in a free-standing caddy. This makes rolling it out and storing much easier.
• When you've used the hose for the last time in the season, unscrew it from the spigot and drain it.
• Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside spigot from inside the house. Leave the outside tap open to prevent frozen pipes.
• Store the hose in a garage or other sheltered spot.
• If a hose leaks at the spigot, replace the rubber washer in the "female" end of the hose and tighten the joint. For leaks in the hose itself, you can buy a hose repair kit at the hardware store. You'll need a sharp knife and a screwdriver.

• Traditional sprinklers lose up to 50 percent of the water they spray to evaporation. Use new drip emitters and microsprinkler heads to solve the problem.
• For large plants or small sections of flowers, use small sprinkler heads. These heads dribble or spray water a little at a time.

Although soakers, sprinkler systems and drip irrigation have all but replaced old fashioned hoses, every household still needs a sturdy hose. The right hose makes gardening easier, and can improve your entire property's look.