When you come up with a simple task – to buy a watering can for your flowers …… and that’s it, in an hour or an hour and a half you’ll be overwhelmed by the choice between steel and plastic models, bulky and miniature, expensive and not-so-expensive. How do you make no mistakes and get something that is truly reliable and, importantly, easy to use? Let’s take a look at it in this RunSun article.
Buy a watering can and don’t be disappointed …… High-quality, even watering is the key to thriving houseplants and a bumper crop of vegetable garden residents. That’s why it is recommended to take the choice of the watering can seriously: this product hides many more “secrets” than it may seem at first glance. Those convinced that the choice is limited to volume and material will be disappointed: the characteristics of the diffuser and even the configuration of the spout are also important. Although these nuances have remained virtually unchanged for over 3 centuries, many people today still prefer to base their choices solely on the “right” criteria of appearance and cost. In most cases, this “selectivity” results in fairly quick disposal to the shed or straight to the trash.
But you take a slightly more responsible approach when purchasing a garden sprayer, and your plants will enjoy quality watering for years to come. And you save yourself the headache of buying the “right” thing over time.
Criteria for Choosing a Watering Can
1. The right materials
The most obvious criterion for a planter is its performance. The margin of maneuver here is not very wide: you have to choose between metal and plastic. It’s not easy to answer the question of which is better. Here’s why.
Plastic
It’s simple, it doesn’t rust, and it’s economically priced. Buy a plastic watering can for $10-$20 (compared to at least $30-$50 for a metal watering can of the same volume). Emptying such a tool really doesn’t weigh much – no more than 0.5 kg per 10 liters of capacity. Therefore, it is very easy and pleasant to move a plastic watering can around the garden, even if it is filled up to the neck. Another obvious advantage of this material is the absence of seams and joints – molded products are not prone to leaks. Such showerheads usually come in monochromatic and very bright “acid” colors – just what you need on a sunny summer day.
Speaking of the sun. Not every plastic can withstand the sun’s rays. Therefore, when choosing a garden watering can, special attention should be paid to the markings. For example, named “PE” or “PP” is typical of the most common polyethylene – buying such a plastic watering can be the cheapest, but not for long. At the end of a hot summer, the product is at risk of cracking and losing valuable firmness. HDPE labeling is an entirely different issue. This is the characteristic of watering cans made of high-pressure polyethylene (HDPE). Products made of this material are more expensive, but they are in harmony with the sun.
Decided to buy a plastic watering can for watering flowers? Pay attention to its color: if it is unevenly colored and you can see cloudy spots/dissolves on the surface, this is a clear sign of a recycled product. Such a container is unlikely to last more than one season. Exceptions are complex design solutions, but it is easy to distinguish one from the other.
Also, when choosing a plastic watering can, experts recommend looking closely at the bottom of the product. If it is not too smooth and has at least a little “protrusion”, it means that the material is not of high quality, which also makes the watering can unstable and, accordingly, uncomfortable to use.
Metal
The lowest water consumption, the evenest watering, and the best durability – all of these apply to metal watering cans. They are usually made of galvanized steel and are not subject to mechanical stress or the vagaries of the weather. The zinc coating on the inside also provides corrosion protection – a valuable feature for garden dwellers, as it makes the water cleaner and safer. This is also true of copper garden spouts. Another advantage of metal is its good resistance and ability to last for a decade or even decades.
However, durability is not always the hallmark of metal watering cans. The problem is the method of manufacturing such containers, which involves the welding of individual elements and, therefore, the presence of seams in the product. Seams can be considered the “superhero drive” of steel garden watering cans: if they are not tight, leaks and the rapid appearance of rust are impossible to avoid. So if you decide to buy a steel watering can take a close look at these areas: the long life of your tank is guaranteed by permanently clean, even joints.
You should also pay attention to the presence of a protective strip between the body and the spout: if there is one, it will be easier to use the container and the water consumption will be more economical.
It is important not to forget that steel is quite heavy – even in the absence of water, such a pouring will weigh about a kilogram. The high cost of this material should be taken into account, as well as its limited use – steel for mineral fertilizers is not suitable.
However, it is metal that provides a wide scope for the imagination of designers to experiment with color solutions and effects. So if you are looking for a practical, but also very interesting, decorative watering can, we recommend stainless steel, followed by steel with a zinc/brass finish.
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2. Calculate the volume
Do I buy a five-liter or a twelve-liter garden watering can? Today, there are many options to suit every taste and every need. Keep in mind that bigger is not always better. A 10-12 liter garden watering can, filled with water, is not so easy to move around the ground. Especially if you buy a metal watering can. Especially if this decision is made by a frail and/or elderly Dasha lady. Such a bulky container is recommended to buy physical gardeners: it allows plants to be watered faster and keeps the muscles strong. On the other hand, plant watering cans of 3 to 5 liters are usually the choice of women.
If calculating the volume of one watering can get you a little confused, you can play a trick and buy two watering cans at once – a large one and a small one. For example, place a small watering can at one end of the plot (away from the barrel) and a 5 or 8-liter watering can at the other end. This will make tending the plot as easy and convenient as possible.
For houseplants, this is much easier. A watering can with a capacity of 1 to 2.5 liters is ideal for indoor flowers.
3. Pay attention to the water spout
Shape, length, diameter – the parameters of this element are also important for those seeking to purchase a flower watering can with a multi-year outlook.
Experts recommend giving preference to models with a long spout, significantly exceeding the height of the “top” of the container. This will allow you to take care of your plants as efficiently as possible, providing them with water even in the most difficult-to-reach places (a watering can is especially important for potted flowers). It should start as close to the base as possible – so that the water flows more economically.
This effect also benefits from the diameter of the spout: a spout of 2.5 cm is considered ideal. However, it can also be narrower, but wider models make it necessary to add water more often.
It is better to choose a straight shape: watering cans with such a spout are easier to use since it is not necessary to tilt the unit very low when watering.
4. Choose the best number of handles
Buying a garden watering can with one handle or two handles – is also an important issue. Although few people take this into account when choosing a device. And it is very wrong because with an additional handle you can distribute the weight of the fill more evenly and significantly reduce the load during use/movement. For those who decide to buy a plant watering can of 5 liters and more, these are the models to choose from.
Meanwhile, miniature containers with a capacity of 1-3 liters, even with only one handle, do not cause inconvenience. This is a feature of watering cans for indoor flowers and very small vegetable gardens/beds.
5. Do not forget the nozzle
If you want to water mainly shrubs and other hardy plants, you can buy a watering can without an additional nozzle. Younger plants need gentler care – a sprinkler is very useful here.
The most popular variant is the shower head, in which the holes are no more than 1.5 mm in diameter. The shape of the holes is also important: if they are trapezoidal, the water column will be as “soft” as possible.
It is important to pay attention to the material of the element: experts recommend preferring plastic models to metal ones. Stainless steel nozzles cost a little more, but it is less prone to deformation and does not quickly clog and leak. Metal nozzles for shower heads have another advantage – they are usually equipped with threaded connections. This effectively secures the spout and reduces the risk of damaging the plant if you accidentally pull it off.
Do you want wholesale watering cans or custom watering cans?
RunSun Decor is a branded watering can designer and manufacturer in China. Get in touch with us for the best customization and design solution for you.
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