Gardening help

[LarryHoward]

Folks, I need the help of the assembled brains here. I live in a rural area and a poorly stocked Lowes and an Ace Hardware area about it for suppliers other than Amazon.

The layout of my property and the two poorly located hose faucets at my house means I need 2-200' garden hoses to keep L's investment in expensive deer food from wilting away during the summer. I finally solve the "what hose to buy" by getting some sturdy kink free hose (can;t have kinky hose around) but am stymied by a simple hose reel. The Suncour plastic POS sold by Lowes and a multitude of internet companies holds 225' of hose and is fairly unobtrusive. Unfortunately, I'm getting about 1 season before the flimsy plastic drum shears off the assembly tabs and he unit comes apart-normally at an inopportune time. I can find very industrial looking hose reels at Grainger for $1,000 but no one seems to have a decent looking (one sites at the side of the house where it is visible to all who come up the drive) and durable residential hose reel.

Before I feed the next broken POS to the Lowes manager do any of you have a recommendation for me?

Beau, if it comes from California, I'm suspect. I already suffer from the California debacle of no evaporation but guaranteed spillage portable fuel tanks.

[JoeP]

This might work:

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/44803138?src=pla&008=-99&pcrid=15557577904&007=Search&006=15557577904&005=21882504424&004=4409695744&002=2167139&mkwid=sJXegN7a0%7Cdc&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test_sJXegN7a0_PLA__15557577904_c_S&026=-99&025=c&item=44803138

Or this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-Garden-Products-200-ft-3-in-1-Hose-Reel-703/203584318?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-203584318&ci_sku=203584318&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969

These came up using "metal hose reel" on Google.

[BeauV]

Larry, how about a normal 75' hose and just run some PVC underground to various strategic places. I know trenching is work, but it may actually be easier in the end.

BV

[SloopJonB]

This ^^^

[LarryHoward]

Thanks guys. I saw another version of the Liberty on line but it was beat up badly in reviews. The one I keep breaking is actually reviewed well, just not up to the upper end of it's claimed range. I'm trying to stay away from wall mounts due to the permanent nature and the fact that my siding is no longer manufactured and I'm hoping to delay replacing it for some time.

As to trenching, I've thought about it and may eventually do it. The original owners in two generations were here for 58 years and there are lots of things buried from storm drains to water to the pier to septic field to....... That are not recorded so every trench is an experience. At least I pretty much know where the propane lines are (under a deck for the most part) so I won't have that surprise. Add in a deep bury and/or winterizing, and I've shied away so far. That and I'd need portable hose reels to take to each location but maybe they would be more durable.

[Panope]

I have had two of these bolted to the side of my house for 7 years. No problems.

The Lowes specs say that it is steel. The castings are actually aluminum.

The specs say 125' capacity but I have 150 feet on mine. Another 25 or so feet might fit but a full 200 feet might me a stretch unless a thin wall hose (that flattens when depressurized) is used.

Steve

http://www.lowes.com/pd_155650-302-2398 ... AGPSPN=pla

[Jamie]

Do you need a large brown patch? Deforestation?

I can help with that.

[BeauV]

Larry, I coil my hose on the ground and leave it there. Is there some reason that wouldn't work for you??

[LarryHoward]

Larry, I coil my hose on the ground and leave it there. Is there some reason that wouldn't work for you??

Side of house is in full view of the drive. Rear is right outside the kitchen door.

200' of hose is a big coil. Between boat trailers, utility trailer, multiple (8) sheds et al, we have to guard against looking too Southern Redneck.

[Tucky]

Damn, no redneck solution allowed- I was thinking of something involving a car wheel and bit of leftover axle.

Damn, google says others have done it.

hose reel.JPG