Water is essential to plant growth, and a garden hose is a simple tool for getting water from one place to another. But as with all tools, you get what you pay for, and using a poor quality hose can be a frustrating experience.

When purchasing a garden hose, price determines quality, and you should buy the best quality possible. One of the main criterion is burst strength - 500 pounds per square inch is highly recommended.

Since most leaks occur at the couplings, look for good crush resistant couplings of heavy duty cast brass. Also look for a hose with a 4 inch plastic hose collar to keep the hose from kinking at the faucet [1].

The larger the diameter of the hose the greater the quantity of water can be delivered. 5/8 inch is a practical size for most home gardeners.

The best hoses are reinforced with a synthetic mesh layer or ply - the higher the number of plies, four being tops, the better the quality.

Available in plastic, rubber, nylon, or vinyl; rubber is the best choice. They are heavier and more durable, resisting sun, cold weather, and kinks - and worth every penny of extra expense.