Well said, DC. As a fellow Italian-American, I share the very same memories.
If I might go further - No, garden hoses are not particular to Italian culture, but gardens are.
I remember, as a kid in the late 60's, moving into our first house in Yonkers from our apartment in the Bronx, the pride that my father and grandfather took in their garden.
Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into working in the backyard. So if there wasn't a cold beer or a pitcher of lemonade handy, they would reach right for the hose.
Thanks for a great memory.