Diagnosing the Problem

A Cracked Hose
Usually, if the hose wasn't rolled and placed in a safe environment, your first problem will be cracking. If hoses are left out in the cold, especially if they still have some water in them, they will crack, forming large holes. Usually a cracked hose cannot be repaired, but in some cases, if the cracking is minor, your crisis can be averted. If only a section of hose is cracked you can simply cut out that section, insert a mender, and be ready to go. If the cracking is more extensive then your best bet would probably be to go and purchase a new garden hose.

A Critter Has Gnawed on My Hose!
A very realistic problem when bringing your hose out for the first time in the year is discovering a series of small hose where little rodents have been feasting on your gardening supplies. Again, if caught early, this is a simple problem to fix, especially if the holes are small. Again, if there are several holes in a short area, you can cut that part of the hose away and insert a mender, fixing the problem. If you just have a few small holes, then inserting a small plug will correct the problem until you can get the electrical tape out and properly fix the holes.

The Spigot Where the Hoe Attaches is Leaking
Again, this is a common problem at the beginning of the gardening season. Generally what has happened is that over the winter the washer and nut that attaches the spigot to the hose have rusted and no longer fit the spigot properly. This problem is simply averted by replacing the inexpensive nut and washer.

My Hose Won't Stretch
If you have had you hose stored outdoors or in an outbuilding all winter, chances are that it will still be a bit frozen when you take it out. This will cause the hose to lose it's elasticity until it thaws. It is a smart idea not to use the hose when it is still a bit frozen because this could cause cracking. By laying your hose out in the sun for a couple of hours, your problem should be quickly solved!