Snake in the grass - What's New? - from Coil Solutions Inc

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), March, 2003

* Gardening season is rapidly approaching, as spring looms just over the horizon. Those who have spent a seemingly endless winter gazing out the window at snow-covered landscapes, bare trees, and a total lack of colorful foliage rejoice at the prospect, but there is one aspect they don't look forward to. Never mind the shovels, rakes, and other implements gardeners will be trotting out to make things bloom again. A vital--but often hated--component is the common hose, with its infernal leaks, kinks, and other annoyances, as well as the fact that it simply won't wind back neatly to get out of the way, no matter how many reels or other gadgets are employed.

The solution to this aggravation is literally a snake in the grass--the Anaconda hose from Coil Solutions Incorporated, McMinnville, Ore. Tightly coiled so that it takes up a minimum amount of space, it can stretch out to provide either 50 or 75 feet of hose reach, then springs back to its more-compact form when emptied of water. The hose itself is a marvel of design, starting with tough, professional-grade polyurethane construction and brass fittings with nylon clamps that virtually eliminate connection leakage. Watering options are extensive, thanks to a long trigger-operated wand, adjustable nozzle tip that allows a range from a fine mist up to a more-forceful spray, and a showerhead attachment for gently soaking plants. With a 1/2" outer diameter and 3/8" inner diameter, the hose delivers water as fast as a standard model and is safe to drink from.

The 50' Anaconda has a suggested retail price of $49.95 with all the accessories; the 75' model, $69.95. A wall-mounted coil holder ($24.95) shaped like a trough is also available to keep the hose neatly stored and off the ground. They can be found at high-end garden centers or online at sales@gardencoil.com.

This symbol * indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacture's specifications and to determine is performance as applicable to our reader's need. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.