Haws Watering Can
When I began gardening I used a generic plastic watering can from a hardware store, but it didn’t give a gentle enough flow for newly planted seeds, nor a fast enough stream for larger plants that drink a lot. The polyethylene Haws can’s separate spout attachments—right angle downspout and oval brass rose—are outstanding features that make it a versatile performer. The right angle is useful for pinpointing the spot I’m aiming to water and also for avoiding watering a plant’s leaves. The brass rose angled upward lets forth a gentle rain for delicate seedlings; angled downward it gives a still-gentle but stronger dispersed stream. With both spouts removed, a solid stream shoots straight out of the can for deeper watering and hitting the tough-to-reach corners of my raised beds. Two “parking spots” on the body of the can hold the spout attachments not in use, so they’re never misplaced. Changing modes -- and changing back -- couldn’t be easier.
The only drawback I’ve encountered is that the fine holes in the brass rose clog easily and need to be cleaned regularly to work well. But until I graduate to drip irrigation, this is the perfect tool.
Available from Amazon
Favorite (15)
Brian Costlow
If you have a vegetable garden in rows, get two.
You can walk between the rows, one in each hand. Move your hand down the back handles as the cans empty. More efficient use of water than the hose.
Yes it's less efficient time and effort-wise, but consider it as light exercise that's certainly more enjoyable than a treadmill at the gym
grimgold
Oh, Christ- we're back to the $500 aviator bag. I'll spend $39 for a watering can when it can do my taxes and knit socks. If you want to water "delicate" punch some small holes in a slurpee cup lid. For bigger stuff, turn your $5 adjustable nozzle to fan spray. Seriously, this is the equivalent of killing mice with a rail gun. Can we get back to reality?
elon
Grimgold:
It's a tough argument to make that forty bucks is a high price considering I've used this tool every day for the past two years. From what I can tell, it has more than two more years left in it. It's a pleasure to use, specialized and functional. I try to grow as much as possible from seed (partly to save money), and this watering can really works well for starting seedlings. My raised beds are out of reach of my hose and, anyway, it's important to keep water off the leaves of Cucurbitaceae-family (melons, squash, cucumbers) plants during overcast June mornings in Southern California, as they're susceptible to powdery mildew.
PaulR
Also available from Lee Valley Tools.
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&cat=2,2280&p=42608
Grimgold: how often can you spend less than a hundred bucks and get the very best in the world? It's an inexpensive luxury. And you can get an $16 'indoor' can.
Raul
Cool Tools is not solely about price but also value. It's hard to qualify something that is a joy to use, and that's the beauty of CT.
Lexica
We've had one of these watering cans for several years and love it. I imagine it will last us many more years, as it shows no signs of wear (other than the crack in the right-angle nozzle from when my husband dropped the nozzle and stepped on it — which is not really what you'd call a manufacturing defect or the fault of the can).
This is not a $500 aviator bag. It's a solidly-built tool with features not readily available on other items for less than $40.
KC
In everything, endeavor for excellence.
I have been looking for a watering can. I have seen the crap one can buy that is made in china and will do the job just fine I'm sure. But I am looking for more than what is the cheapest solution for the masses. I am looking for something that shows it was made with the highest regard for quality. It costs a little more, so what. I have found people who focus solely on money and cost are generally an unhappy lot. Money rules them, and in turn they lose the most precious commodity, time. Time to experience the best this life has to offer.