How can I protect a hose and wire in a high-traffic area?
In the military, we used to make cable protectors out of 2X4's and scrapes of plywood. Simply lay the 2X4's down a few inches apart and attach small squares of plywood every few feet to keep the 2X4's spaced and parallel. run the hose and wires between the 2X4's. You could also run the narrow strip of plywood or a board the full length of the 2X4's and recess the whole thing 1 1/2 inches into the ground so it is flush, not sticking up above the ground grade. Cheap and easy.