Watering Cans, Watering Cans, Everywhere
I suspect that many members of the Grow Network have a collection of cheap plastic watering cans lying around. Marjory sure does – just take a look!
In this video, Marjory walks us through her collection and talks about the pros and cons of the various designs.
As you’ll see, two of the biggest factors she takes into account are the size of the hole you use to fill the can, and the flow pattern of the rosette at the tip of the pouring spout.
The Best Watering Can? The Best Rosette!
One trick I use at home is that if I don’t like the rosette on a certain watering can – I get rid of it (the rosette, not the can). For some cans, this means I just pull the rosette off and toss it. For others, I’ve used a hacksaw to cut it off.
I always keep one or two cans with good rosettes that have a flow pattern I like, so that I can use those to distribute compost tea or fertilizer efficiently.
I still use the other cans that don’t have rosettes, but I only use them as carriers, so that I can transport many watering cans worth of fluid at once. Then, I dump the contents of those into the can with the good rosette and use that one to actually apply the fluid. This way, I only have to maintain one or two rosettes, and I don’t ever have to struggle with a flow pattern that I don’t like.
Video: Sustainable Apple Trees – Self-watering and Self-fertilizing
Do you Know a Great Watering Can?
As we all know, there are about a million different watering cans out there on the market. And, as we all know, most of them aren’t very good.
Is there a particular style or design that you’ve had good luck with? Is there a watering can you’ve owned for years that takes an exceptional amount of abuse without breaking or cracking? If so, use the comments section below to share it with the group. We’d love to hear what has worked the best for you!
COMMENTS(8)
I went through a number of plastic watering cans. After a few years they would invariably crack or break. We spent the money and bought a metal watering can. I have used it for many years. It has paid for itself many times over.
thanks marjorie! very timely! i just found a watering can yesterday on our property and was wondering if it was worth keeping–you helped me decide! thanks a lot-
ha, interesting! I got that can you end your review (no 3 in the line up) and yes, it clogs. Bought it to replace my old German can, probably close to 20 years old! But with all the years it began leaking where the side walls meet the bottom 🙁 🙁 I “fixed” it with latex caulk, however, it sprang a new leak this year (more caulking!!!). It is such a great can that I will only get rid of it once it falls apart! None of the cans in your line up compare. Guess if I ever go back to the motherland I will buy me another one, sure hope they still make this durable thing!
How are the old metal cans? You left them out.
not informative. water weighs 8.3 lbs/gal.
I like product where you can adjust from a mist to a small stream for seedlings especially, but useful for other plants as well. One brand I have tried is called Rain Maker, they are pressurized by hand pumping and hold a gallon. Not your standard water can, but a cool product for some gardening situations.
I have 2 watering cans. One has the multiple holes on the spout and the other one larger hole. Bother are used in different applications. For example my first watering can would be used in watering garden areas outside, whereas the second one is used to watering containers.
Our puppy last year go a hold of my watering can and destroyed it. Bought two new ones so far and hate them. Hope to find a new one soon. Thanks for the tips.
I wish Marjory had at least named the watering can that was her favorite…so some of us could look for it.