The first hard frost is what splits a hose or an outdoor tap, not the cold on its own — water left standing inside expands as it freezes and cracks the wall from the inside. Doing this now, while it's still comfortable to work outside, takes under an hour and means nothing needs replacing or repairing once the weather turns.

Drain, Coil and Store a Garden Hose Before the First Frost

What you need

1 garden hose the one that's been in use over summer
2 cable ties or garden twine to hold the coil
1 insulated outdoor tap cover foam-lined, pulls over the tap and drawstrings shut
1½ m foam pipe lagging for any exposed pipe between the wall and the isolation valve, if there is one
1 bucket to catch the last of the water as you disconnect

Step by step

Turn the tap off and disconnect the hose from the fitting, holding the end over a bucket for the first rush of water.
5 min
Lay the hose out as straight as the space allows, or walk it in short lengths, lifting each length above shoulder height and letting the water run out toward the lower end.
10 min
Go over the whole length a second time. A hose holds more water than it looks like, and sagging sections trap pockets that don't drain on the first pass.
10 min
Coil the drained hose in loops about 30cm across, working with its natural curl rather than against it, so it doesn't kink and crack later in the cold.
5 min
Tie the coil in two places opposite each other, and hang it off the ground on a hook or reel in a shed, garage or porch, somewhere frost-free. Left on damp ground, the underside perishes faster.
5 min
Fit the insulated cover over the outdoor tap and pull the drawstring or strap tight so wind can't work it loose.
5 min
If the tap has its own isolation valve, close it and open the tap briefly to drain the short pipe run between them, then leave the tap open. Wrap any exposed pipe with the foam lagging and secure it with ties.
10 min

Afterwards

Rinse the tap cover and lagging before refitting each autumn — grit trapped underneath wears through foam in a season or two. In spring, run water through the hose before you trust it, and if you find a split, cut that section out rather than working around a weak spot. Leave the tap cover on until the last frost risk of the year has passed.

Questions

Can I leave the hose out if the forecast looks mild?

One hard frost is enough to split a hose that's still full of water, and forecasts change. Treat draining it as routine once night temperatures start dropping toward freezing, rather than waiting to see.

What if my outdoor tap doesn't have an isolation valve?

Then insulating the visible pipe and tap is as far as this job goes. A tap fed straight off the mains with no valve nearby is more exposed, so it's worth having a plumber fit one.

Does a hose connected to a water butt need the same treatment?

Yes — any hose or outlet holding standing water can freeze and split the same way, so drain those too.