• Hose thread sizeUS garden hoses use a 3/4 inch garden hose thread (GHT) with 11.5 threads per inch and a straight thread. Learn what fits, what does not, and adapters.
• GHT vs NPTGHT (garden hose thread) and NPT (pipe thread) look alike at 3/4 inch but differ in threads per inch, shape and seal. How to tell and connect them.
• Standard hose sizeGarden hoses come in 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 inch inside diameters and 25 to 100 foot lengths, and nearly all use 3/4 inch hose thread. Which size to choose.
• Measure hose diameterMeasure the inside diameter of a garden hose in a minute with a ruler or tape: what to measure, how to read it, and why the fitting size is different.
• 5/8 vs 1/2 inch hose5/8 inch hoses carry more water over longer runs; 1/2 inch hoses are lighter and easier to handle. Compare flow, weight and uses to pick the right one.
• 3/4 vs 5/8 inch hoseA 3/4 inch hose carries the most water but is heavy; a 5/8 inch hose suits most homes. Compare flow, weight, length and cost before you buy.
• Heavy vs medium duty hose'Heavy-duty' and 'medium-duty' are maker labels, not a standard. Compare what matters: material, layers, burst rating, couplings and kinks.
• Hose bib vs spigotHose bib, spigot, sillcock and outdoor faucet often mean the same thing. What each word means, the frost-free type, and which one you have.
• What is a hose bibA hose bib is an outdoor faucet with a threaded outlet for a garden hose. Types (standard, frost-free, anti-siphon, quarter-turn), parts and simple care.
• Hose backflow preventerA garden hose can siphon dirty water or garden chemicals back into your pipes. How backflow happens and how a hose bib vacuum breaker helps.
• Hose water vs tap waterHose water starts as tap water, but the hose itself can add chemicals and heat. What studies found, which hoses are drinking-water safe, and simple tips.
• Hose winter careBefore freezing weather, disconnect, drain and store your garden hose, drain the outdoor faucet and protect it. Steps for standard and frost-free faucets.
• Soaker hose run timeThere is no single soaker hose time: it depends on your hose, pressure and soil. Find yours with a trowel test and aim for about 1 inch a week.
• How long to waterWork out how long to water with a hose: aim for about 1 inch a week, measure your hose flow with a bucket, then use simple math or the tuna-can test.
• Water without a hoseNo hose, or no outdoor tap? Water with cans, buckets, rain barrels, clay pots (ollas), self-watering containers and mulch, plus tips to need less water.
• Hose flow rateMeasure your garden hose flow rate (gallons per minute) with a bucket and a timer, and see what lowers it: length, diameter, kinks and nozzles.
• Increase hose pressureWeak hose pressure? Check the faucet, kinks, washers and nozzles, shorten the run, use a wider hose and find out if the problem is the house supply.
• Remove a stuck hoseLoosen a stuck hose coupling safely: release the pressure, get a better grip, use penetrating oil or warm water and support the faucet.
• Leaking hose nozzleMost hose and nozzle leaks come from a worn or missing washer. Find where the leak is, then fix it: washers, O-rings, cross-threading and cracked parts.
• Why gardening mattersWhy gardening is worth your time: fresh food, better soil, help for pollinators, time outdoors, saving water, learning and community. Simple ways to start.

More hose topics are on the way. Related: essential garden tools.