Gardener's Review of How To Use Pocket Hoses and Other Lightweight Options

As an avid gardener who spends hundreds of hours in the garden (not to mention thousands of dollars on plants and garden tools), the XHose was a much-welcomed new and improved watering tool. Yet, I didn't do my research, I simply ordered it. For you see, I have been a gardener for decades so why should I have a need to research a basic tool? It is a just a watering hose, right? Almost correct - the XHose is revolutionary but like all tools they need proper care. Additionally, like all tools they are often efficiently utilized with a little bit of expert instruction. The things I wish I had known before I ordered my professional grade XHose (and, by the way, I went all in - four professional hoses - none for gifts - all four XHoses were precisely for the glutenous gardener that I am!) and yet, I should have done my research.

Don't be like me and buy this tool without knowing the details of proper use and storage. Learn some great tips for preserving the value of this great tool. And learn how to best use this tool to your greatest value. In short, save time and money by reviewing these quick tips.

As a gardener, I love variety and rich textures. I have a small collection of hostas and pride myself on an abundance of both color and texture. Yet, as all gardeners know the maintenance in the garden is a back breaker. From the digging to the removal of sod, to tree trimming to the simple task of watering.

Watering is perhaps the most crucial of all tasks in the garden. The plants are often very forgiving with one exception - water.

If the right amount of water is not provided, mark my words that plant will not perform and often will simply disappear.

If you garden, you must invest both the time and energy and money in getting the appropriate moisture to your plants.

Various Garden Tool Options for Watering

Water is key to the growth of your plants. Too much water can harm and too little will quickly evaporate your gardening efforts. Moisture can be provided in a variety of methods from full-scale expensive sprinkler systems to do it yourself drip irrigation systems or hand watering or best yet - a carefully crafted combination of the three:

• Sprinkler Systems - Various Types Including Drip
• Garden Hoses (Complete with a Variety of Nosels and Attachments Including Sprinklers)
• Watering Cans

Hand watering is often mandated here in the Midwest even if you have a sprinkler system. Mother Nature often deprives our garden of moisture during the height of the summer season and demands additional care.

In short, if you garden to any degree, you need to be able to effectively water your plants with all three methods, systems, hoses and watering cans. This means you must have the proper tools. XHose is a great tool if you know how to use it properly (and how to store it properly).

Know when it ships!

If you use the garden hose daily or if where you decide to use the XHose is where you water daily, you must consider the professional option with the quality valves and nozzel. The brass fittings on the professional grade XHose were in my opinion worth the money and worth the wait.

If you are an occasional user, the regular XHose will most likely serve all your purposes if you follow the specific card instructions about direct sun light.

Brass Fittings of the Professional Grade XHose Recommended IF

If you are in need of a long run, do consider the benefit of adding several hoses together. This will provide extra flexibility of where and how to place your XHose but it will also offer great control when returning the hose to the pocket size by allow you to gradually uncoil each section.

#1 Shopping Tip - Know When It Ships

Fast shipment is always important but with gardening it is critical. If shipping time is delayed, consider another retailer.

I waited literally for months for the professional grade hoses to arrive. I would never do that again and I would certainly recommend against it. But I will say, I am pleased with the quality of the brass fittings and the quality of the hoses. The four professional grade 50 foot hoses arrive late August and I order in June! This delay did break my patience!

In retrospect, I should have tried the basic one first and then added the four professional ones. But hindsight is always 20-20. I learn from my mistakes. I also learned about being prideful and not taking the time to research the pros and cons of this special new tool.

So for me this buying experience offered a new insight into my personality. Research and recommendations from others are always needed - even for experienced gardeners!

One of the items that is not currently readily available is a container to store the XHose. Yes, there are a multitude of containers for conventional hoses that quite frankly are simply too large. There is simply no reason to have a huge container for this small pocket size hose.

Long before I ever dreamed of the possibility of this pocket hose, I had mounted hose storage which sadly doesn't work for the XHose where the sun beats down each day. So for the shaded area and for the front hose, a small decorative container with a lid would be very helpful.

This one I find very attractive and simple yet for functionality and long term investment, I still would apt for a decorative ceramic pot designed specifically with the XHose in mind - with proper placement of a hole in the back complete with a lid to resist water. The lid doesn't need to be watertight but covering the XHose, protecting it from rain and debris is important.

We live in a heavily wooded area and the leave alone that pile up in small container such as the open flower pot simply is not the perfect, long term solution.

Flower Pot Storage with Back Hole and A Ceramic Lid

So for ceramic flower pot manufacturers who I hope are listening, there is a big need for a decorate and fully functional storage pot for this great new garden hose.

The XHose is a game changer and as such when you are considering a wall mounted hose reel, do take into account the small size of this new technology. The XHose will not need the reel because the pocket hose is simply very light and flexible.

No need to pay for something you will not need.

Hose Hook - Simple Option

There are simple, utilitarian hose hooks available in the marketplace - no frills, no decorative scrolls, just a simple hook to keep the hose coiled loosely up off the ground.

I love my XHose professional hoses and will probably add some plain jane standard hoses to the garden tool collection this coming year. I am glad the shipment was delayed so I could explore the highest and best use of this hose but I do hope what I have learned has helped you. I tried to share all the options and obstacles that I have encountered to make your experience with this remarkable new tool as pleasurable as it has been with me.

As with all new inventions especially tools, if we know how to best use them they will perform year after year for us. Take care of this special tool and it will take care of you - it truly is a back saver for the weary gardener.

Share Your XHose Experience

Have an experience with XHose you wish to share? Have a tip that I have missed - please take a moment and join with us in the discussion below.