Watering
Best Expandable Garden Hoses
Five 50-foot hoses side by side, from the fittings to the nozzle in the box, plus what owners say about leaks.
New Printable planners, guides & templates →
Gardening, patios and outdoor living
Create a Garden and Outdoor Space You’ll Love
Whether you’re growing your first tomatoes, bringing a tired plant back to life or planning cozy evenings on the patio, we’re here to help. Expect friendly how-tos, ideas for every season and honest advice on the tools that make it all a little easier.
Practical help for every season
What are you working on?
Tell us what’s on your mind this weekend, and we’ll point you to the tips, ideas and tools that help.
Watering & cleaning
Smart watering habits, plus the hoses, nozzles and sprayers that keep plants happy and chores quick.
Explore watering →Tools & yard care
Tools, gloves and kneeling pads that are kind to your hands and knees, plus tips for easier yard work.
Explore tools →Patio & outdoor decor
Cozy heaters, twinkling lights and seasonal decorations for long evenings and festive days outside.
Explore patio ideas →Gardening tips
Grow herbs, vegetables and flowers, care for your plants and get the garden ready for every season.
Explore gardening tips →Grow, care and enjoy
Our favorite how-tos for a greener garden, a happier balcony and a home full of healthy plants.
Grow your own
Happy, healthy plants
Pests and critters
From our garden to your inbox
Make room for more garden inspiration
Fresh ideas for your next garden day: practical plant care tips, seasonal to-dos and cozy outdoor inspiration, sent straight to your inbox.
Featured buying guides
Ready for a new hose, reel or patio heater? Our side-by-side guides make choosing easy, with a quick answer at the top and a simple checklist.
Watering
Best Retractable Garden Hose Reels
Seven wall-mounted reels for a tidy patio wall, compared on reach, hose size, mounting and warranty.
Watering
Best Garden Hose Nozzles
A gentle shower for seedlings or a strong jet for the patio? Eight nozzles compared on spray patterns and comfort.
Patio & outdoor living
Best Patio Heaters
Stay outside a little longer on cool evenings: propane, electric and tabletop heaters compared on warmth, placement and safety.
Planting & weeding
Best Gardening Tool Sets
Seven sets compared on the full-size tools you’ll actually use, not just the piece count on the box.
Comfort & protection
Best Kneeling Pad for Gardening
Happy knees, happy gardener: six pads compared on foam, grip and how well they handle wet grass.
Short on time? Start with these picks
Three featured options from our buying guides. If your yard, hose length or budget is a little different, the full guide helps you find your perfect match.
Expandable hose
Flexi Hose 50 ft
Brass fittings and an eight-pattern nozzle in the box, so you do not need to buy a nozzle separately.
Hose reel
Giraffe Tools AW30
100 feet of 1/2-inch hose, any-length lock and a clear manual on mounting, weight and warranty.
Patio heater
Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU
The reference full-size propane tower: wide reflector, wheels and a standard cylinder in the base.
Disclosure: Amazon buttons are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
From Exclusive Gardening
Planners, guides & templates
We’re working on printable planners and guides for gardens and patios. Meanwhile, all of our gardening tips and buying guides remain free to read.
Coming soon
Printable planner · PDF
Seasonal Yard Care Planner
Seasonal Yard Care Planner
A month-by-month plan for watering, tool care, patio prep and winterizing, so nothing slips between seasons.
- 12 monthly checklists
- Watering and maintenance log
- Print at home or fill in on a tablet
Coming soon
E-book · PDF
The Outdoor Living Setup Guide
The Outdoor Living Setup Guide
Plan a patio you will actually use in the evening: seating layout, heating, lighting and a realistic budget.
- Step-by-step patio planning
- Heater and lighting clearance checklists
- Budget and shopping worksheets
Coming soon
Templates · Printable
Garden & Patio Layout Templates
Garden & Patio Layout Templates
Grid templates to sketch beds, hose routes and patio zones to scale before you buy a reel, heater or furniture.
- Scale grids for beds and patios
- Hose route and reel placement sheet
- Planting and zone planning pages
Digital downloads · Delivered by email after purchase · Secure checkoutOur first planners and guides are in the works. Our buying guides stay free.
This season
Get your yard and patio ready for autumn
Crisp mornings, falling leaves and the last warm evenings outside. Now is the time to tidy the garden, drain your hoses before the first frost and make the patio cozy for a few more weeks.
Read the winterizing guide- Choosing a leaf blowerCordless, corded or gas: which type suits your yard and your neighbors.
- How to winterize your gardenEssential steps to prepare beds, plants and tools before frost.
- Outdoor Halloween decorationsIdeas for porches, paths and front yards.
- Cozy winter patio ideasWarmth, light and comfort to keep enjoying the outdoors.
Questions readers ask
What will I find on Exclusive Gardening?
Everything to help you enjoy your garden and outdoor space: easy how-tos for growing herbs, vegetables and flowers, plant care and pest advice, seasonal checklists, outdoor living ideas and honest buying guides for the tools and comforts that make it all easier.
How do you choose the products in your guides?
We start with what you need a product to do, then compare specifications, manuals and owner experiences side by side. Our comparisons are research-based rather than hands-on tests. Each guide explains the information used, so you can judge the recommendation for yourself. Read more about how we work.
Are your recommendations independent?
We disclose affiliate links and show both strengths and limitations. Our guides explain the sources and comparison method, so you can judge whether a product suits your needs.
I’m new to gardening. Where should I start?
Start small and have fun! Our guide to vegetable gardening for beginners and our gardening tips for beginners walk you through the basics, and container gardening is perfect if you only have a balcony or patio.
Which buying guide should I read first?
Start with what you need to get done. For watering, see our garden hose guides. For planting, weeding and yard cleanup, browse our garden tool guides. For cozy evenings outside, take a look at patio and outdoor living.
How do the digital products work?
Our planners, guides and templates are digital downloads. After checkout, the files arrive in your inbox, and each product page explains the format, what’s included and how to print or use it.