Hose Nozzle Watering Guide: Learn About Garden Hose Spray Settings

When shopping around for a watering system for your garden, you’ll find an endless variety of hose nozzle types. Watering with a hose ^[1] takes more time and effort than using sprinklers and in-ground systems, but it has some benefits. Learn more about the spray settings on hoses and how to use them to water your garden ^[2] efficiently and thoroughly.

Why Use a Hose to Water?

Setting up a sprinkler and walking away is a convenient and good way to water a lawn. However, for beds and walkways, it can be tough to hit every spot using a sprinkler. Additionally, an in-ground, automatic sprinkler system that gets to every corner is costly.

For your beds and other areas of plantings, using a hose is an inexpensive way to water. You can reach every nook and cranny by walking around the yard with a hose. You will need a good nozzle to water different types of plants and beds though.

How to Use a Sprayer Hose – Hose Nozzle Watering Guide

When using a hose to effectively water your garden, you need to position it well. You may be limited by where you have a waterspout, but once connected you can move the hose to various locations. Store it somewhere out of the way but where it is still easy to use without crushing plants as you move it.

Next, you need to consider the garden hose spray settings. You can find nozzles with one or up to three, and even five or more settings for different spray patterns. These are useful for different kinds of plants. Common spray settings on hoses include:

• Shower: This is the most diverse pattern, which you can use to water most beds and plants.
• Full: Similar to the shower setting, but more powerful, you can use this pattern to hit sturdier plants at a greater distance.
• Flat: Spray this setting horizontally to cover a larger but more narrow area, like a row of edging plants.
• Mist: Use the fine mist setting to water plants that need humidity, like orchids ^[3].
• Soaker: For plants that need to get a good soaking, use this spray pattern close to soil level.
• Cone: The cone setting gives you a circle of spray so that you can water a ring of plants all at once.
• Jet: The powerful jet spray pattern will damage plants, but it is a great setting for powering dirt and debris from walkways, driveways, and patio furniture.

Choose a nozzle that has all the settings you need to keep your plants watered. Also, consider the grip and handle for your own comfort when picking out a new hose nozzle.