Upgrade Hoses With A Simple Trick That'll Create A Gentle Flow

There's nothing quite like finding that perfect flow when you're using your garden hose. Can you picture it? The age-old hack of putting your thumb over the end to alter the pressure and get it just right. That's really something special. But when you need to adjust it to a lighter flow for your more delicate flowers, all of a sudden the control and perfect flow is lost. Yes, there are garden hose attachments that offer better control, but if you're in a pinch and looking for a fast DIY to reach that gentle stream without heading to the store or ordering something online, you're in luck. You can achieve that desired flow by attaching a plastic spoon (your thumb deserves some time off) to the end of your hose.

It's no surprise that a garden hose is one of the best tools for watering your plants, making the task convenient and efficient. And the only things you'll need are a plastic spoon and a zip tie to optimize it and make watering your more fragile plants easier. If you don't have any plastic spoons, you can use a metal spoon instead, and the latter actually works better for a long-term solution. The plastic spoon may break after a few uses, while the metal spoon is more durable. Similarly, you could use electrical tape instead of a zip tie. 

It is easy to adjust the flow from your garden hose with this trick. Simply take a plastic spoon (or metal one) and place it beneath the end of your hose facing up. The handle of the spoon should run parallel to the hose. Then use your zip ties (or tape) to securely attach the handle to the hose. Next, just turn on your water and you're done! You now have a gentle, semi-cone flow perfect for your flowers. And when you're done watering, try this wire hanger DIY to keep your garden hose organized!

Now, you may be wondering why this hack works. There are a variety of physics principles that can offer an explanation. First, momentum deflection — the spoon is in the way of the flow of water and therefore changes the water's momentum. The Coanda effect is also at play, which explains that a stream of water will tend to stick to a curved surface. In this instance, the water from a hose follows the concave path of the spoon and as a result the water falls off the spoon in a gentle arc. Now what if you need more water pressure again? Not to worry, this simple DIY can be undone by cutting the zip tie and removing the spoon. Your hose and pressure will be back to normal.