11 Ingenious Uses For Old Garden Hoses – That Actually Solve Real Problems

If you have a leak, poor connection, or other issue, it's time to find uses for old garden hose debris. Whatever you do, don’t recycle or throw it out. Garden hoses are one of the top annoyances in recycling and garbage situations. They tangle with everything, preventing sorting machinery from operating properly. Additionally, garden hoses are made from rubber, vinyl, or both. Natural rubber can compost but it takes a long time. Synthetic rubber is resistant to degrading and releases toxic chemicals. Similarly, vinyl is non-degradable and not suitable for landfills.

So what to do with old garden hose pieces? Find creative uses for old hoses that will not clog machinery or cause problems in the landfill.

Clever Uses for Old Garden Hoses

It happens to all of us over time. The hose connection fails, a split develops in an old hose, or a section is crushed and useless. In the case of a hose connection, these can be replaced easily with a mending kit and a screwdriver.

A split is another matter. Hose repair for rubber or vinyl hoses doesn’t work. It isn’t like repairing a hole in a rubber dinghy. The pressure that goes through a hose usually loosens a patch. But you can cut the section out that has a split and put on a new hose end. The hose will be shorter but still serviceable. If the unit is truly old and cannot be mended, what to do with an old garden hose? Repurpose it in a variety of creative ways. Here are some practical uses for old hoses.

1. Sharps Guard

Slit the hose lengthwise and cut it into lengths that fit sharp blades. For instance, cut a length and slip it onto a saw blade. This will not only protect you from cuts but it helps keep the blade sharp.

2. Soaker Hose

Use an awl or other punching instrument to make numerous holes along the length for your newly upcycled soaker hose irrigation. A soaker hose is useful for delivering slow amounts of water around plant roots. The slow drip will allow plants to uptake moisture better and will prevent the overuse of water.

3. Bucket Handle

Those 5-gallon buckets we gardeners always seem to have come with a wire handle covered in brittle plastic. That plastic will break and come off at some point, leaving just the wire that cuts into your hand. Use a piece of garden hose slit lengthwise to cover the wire.

4. Tree Protection

Trees that have wire supports can get bark damage or even girdling from the slender material. Fit garden hose pieces over the wire to prevent it from cutting into the plant.

5. Winter Protection for Clay Pots

Soil freezes in a tapered pot, causing it to slip upwards. This is called heaving and can expose the plant roots to the cold, drying air. To prevent this, bury a section of hose that has been plugged at both ends, in the bottom of the container. When the soil freezes and expands, it will press into the hose filled with air. This helps relieve the pressure in the pot and can prevent cracking.

6. Doorstop

The rubber material has a nice grip and will hold a door or cabinet open when shoved under the gap.

7. Chain Covers

If you have one of those swing sets with a chain as the handgrip, slit some hose and place it around the chain. This will prevent little fingers from getting pinched and make the grip more comfortable.

If none of these options seems viable and you are still wondering what to do with old hoses, get artistic.

8. Cover a Garden Bench

Revitalize an old garden bench by weaving pieces of hose into a new and cushy seat.

9. Make a Wreath

Hoses naturally want to coil into a round shape. Affix it permanently into a circle and then get your creative juices flowing. Make a DIY winter wreath with a glue gun and decorative items.

10. Outdoor Rug

Coil the hose within itself to look like an old rag rug. It may be held together with zip ties or a glue gun.

11. Harvest Basket

Make a base by coiling the hose to your desired dimension. Use zip ties or glue to hold it together. Then using another piece of hose, start coiling vertically to make the sides of the basket. When you have it as big as you require, cut and affix the end. Then use a piece to make a handle. This will be a functional outdoor basket for years.