to all,

I have used marine hoses for over 10 years, because I have turtles who drink and soak in the water running from them. My vet approved the use and so far the turtles have been fine.

The hose appears to be rubber but I'm not sure since the tag is no longer there...after all these years. It is very strong like rubber, but I am not sure it is. It doesn't smell like rubber. I will be purchasing another soon and will let you know.

I do know it is called a Marine /  RV hose. I first became alarmed when I purchased a regular green inexpensive hose when my turquoise rubber hose finally swelled and split. I had not a clue there was a difference except for lasting value.

As I was peeling the oval label off I saw a warning in miniscule print....not to drink from it. Brought it back immediately, since the hose drains into the turtle pool and dishes.

I was advised by the Ace hardware which to buy...and checked with my turtle vet as well.

They are more expensive than the others, and last a long time. A tiny leak has just appeared in the 10 + yr. old hose.

I may consider the rubber one you mentioned if I can find it.

Thank you for all you do....what a remarkable contribution you are making to beautiful healthy world !

jmarlene

PET for garden hoses?

My tasty organic vegetables got ruined from run-off during recent flooding. The taste became truly nasty, especially in salad burnat. This got me thinking about runoff and weedkiller, etc. used in my area. It led me to realize I also need safer garden hoses, so: what about using polyethylene? Isn't this PET or PETE as used in drinking water bottles? Two online irrigation companies carry this: Drip Rite (search on this for many websites) and also www.christmas-tree-farm.com/dripgarden.html who use polyethylene drip hoses, and the first one also seems to carry fittings, adapters, and regular hosing - I need to look at it some more.

Then too, I realized I now have tons of rainwater which unfortunately has asphalt shingle debris in it, and a vinyl hose plus a (rubber?) soaker hose set up to give my plants extra water. Sadly, I probably would not have tasted whatever effect that had: butI am really concerned now to find a way of keeping vegetables non-toxic. I\'m asking myself if we go to all the troubled to garden organically, why spoil it with PVC, lead (even if plants don't take up the lead), and chemicals in tire rubber? I cannot decide what to do with the now-inedible veggies but planted some in better places. I think it is safer to keep vegetables on higher ground (than neighbors) or use raised beds. I also plan to start using a roofwasher for cleaner rainwater; and to see which food-grade plastic the rainbarrels are made of.

PS: The Natural Gardening Company on Debra's List has nontoxic garden hoses! I saw the company on Debra's List, and asked about their hose that looked copper-colored; David Baldwin of Natural Gardening emailed me that their tubing is made of polyethylene!

I think Debra had the right idea in wondering if water rushing through a hose would have time to pick up chemicals. I doubt it, if you wait for the coldest water to appear....but there maybe stuff in the municipal water that may be worse. I have seen filters to attach that will at least take out chlorine. I have also seen "organic" growers use river water that I doubt is all that good.

The truth is we, as a nation, have contaminated everything that we can get our hands on! Since you are on the web....look up some of the sites where we can sign petitions when some group notices lawmaking going on that we can effect with just our signatures. You would be surprised (or probably you already know)how much clout petitions on the web can effect at least some lawmakers.

Hello,

For many years, we used canvas soaker hoses to water our vegetable garden and flower beds. The last time I was able to find them was in 1999. They were available at some Ace Hardware stores with the title Rose Soakers or something like that. Has anyone seen any of these lately? I would love to get some more and cannot find them.

Thanks, Katrin

Let's bring back the canvas soaker hoses! Hook them up to a timer, or a Rain Barrel or a Cistern. Beyond that, Watering Cans!
Remember, if you capture your roof water it contains what the roof contains. Be wary of synthetics and poison or zinc "moss-b-gone" on the roof as additive. It's ok to water your cosmetic plants but not so your edibles.
Aluminum roofs are toxic free (and pest/vegetation-free). Now all that's left is the worry of "acid" or toxic rain, rain with mercury (from coal plants) and particulates from a smoggy atmosphere.

HI - I read with great interest about garden hoses on here today! We have had a green hose on one side of our yard that is several years old now, from which we fill our animal dishes and water gardens...I had noticed a heavy "hose smell" (like the hose is deteriorating inside and offgassing!)coming from the water that first comes out of hose (for probably a minute or so - til the water that is still in hose and has been sitting in it, has cleared out) after it's been turned off and then, sits in the sun (it is always in the sun until very late evening, as that is where the pipe for hose is located in yard. So, I now run the water until the smell leaves the water coming out of the hose, whereas previously I could just turn it on and use it right away. YUCK! I had already decided I needed to replace that hose immediately...and now I see why from what I have read here.

We also have an old black hose that never has that "chemical" deterioration smell in the water...that hose must be made of something else. We have been trying to buy hoses THAT RESIST KINKING and thus allow one to circle it up nicely on the ground. Does anyone know if these non-kink hoses are made of something BAD that allows them to curl around nicely??

We have a 100' hose out front that is only in the sun for a couple of hours in the early morning that IS kink-resistant - it HAS to be able to be "curled up" nicely or someone is going to trip on it, besides looking terrible if not. I don't ever notice the smell from that one either.

Water Right Inc.(manufacturing in Oregon) makes a polyurethane hose. We ordered these this summer. Is this a safe option or is rubber still better? Functionally they are great, they are so light in weight they are easy to use and move around the yard. They are lead free.

Their web page is waterrightinc.com

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