Set These 9 Things Up Now So Watering Is Easier Next Year
Watering shouldn’t be a chore that drags on every morning. With a little prep now, you can make your system easier, faster, and more efficient next season. You don’t need a fancy setup or a huge budget—just a few smart upgrades that take pressure off your schedule and your back.
Set them up while the weather’s still decent, and thank yourself later.
Install Quick-Connect Hose Fittings
Swapping hoses, nozzles, or sprinklers doesn’t need to be a wrestling match. Quick-connect fittings let you change out attachments in seconds without rethreading anything.
They also reduce wear on your hose bibs and prevent leaks from overtightening. A full set costs less than a dinner out and saves a ton of time over the season.
Add Shutoff Valves to Each Zone
If you’ve got different areas to water—like garden beds, fruit trees, and grass—add shutoff valves at the split points. That way, you’re not stuck hauling hoses to redirect water or turning off the main tap.
Being able to isolate sections keeps the pressure where you need it and helps you target dry spots without wasting water on everything else.
Use a Hose Reel or Hanger Now
Dragging your hose across the yard every day wears it out fast and adds time to each watering session. Mount a hose reel or hanger where you actually use it and keep it tangle-free.
Having a proper spot to store the hose also keeps it from getting sun-damaged or kinked. Don’t wait until spring when it’s already cracked and annoying.
Set Up Soaker Hoses in Beds Before Winter
Soaker hoses can be laid out now and buried under mulch or pinned in place before everything goes dormant. Then when spring hits, all you need to do is hook them up.
They work best when they’re already in position—no digging around plants or damaging new growth. A little prep now means hands-free watering later.
Mark All Underground Lines Clearly
Use stakes, flags, or painted stones to show where your buried lines run. When you go to make changes or repairs later, you won’t have to second-guess where anything is.
This also protects the lines from shovels, mowers, and heavy feet. Once things grow in again, those pipes will be out of sight—so mark them while you still know where they are.
Add a Simple Timer to the Spigot
You don’t need a full irrigation system to get set on a schedule. A basic hose timer screws right onto the spigot and lets you automate watering for garden beds or small lawns.
They’re cheap, easy to install, and save you from forgetting a day—or overwatering when you do remember. Most run on AA batteries and can last all season.
Upgrade to Splitters With Pressure Control
Old-school Y-splitters don’t give you much control. If you’re running multiple zones or watering methods, look for a splitter with flow valves on each outlet.
That lets you fine-tune pressure to sprinklers, soaker hoses, or hand watering without switching gear constantly. It also keeps you from overloading weak lines.
Prep a Hose Stash for Multiple Spots
One long hose isn’t always the best plan. Instead, stash shorter hoses in key spots around the yard—garden, side spigot, animal pens, wherever you water most.
Keep them coiled and out of the sun so they’re ready when you are. You’ll avoid dragging a single hose hundreds of feet every time you need water.
Keep a Hose Repair Kit on Hand
No one wants to run to the store mid-watering because of a pinhole leak. A hose repair kit with clamps, couplers, and extra washers lets you fix things in minutes.
Keep one in your garden shed or utility drawer, and you’ll be back to watering before the hose even finishes draining. It’s a cheap way to skip the hassle.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
