Best, most durable watering can?

Anyone have any recommendations for a durable watering can that won't break easily, won't rust, and that sprinkles evenly?

I've had the worst luck with watering cans. My toddler broke the sprinkler nozzles off of two of them. My most recent one pours HORRIBLY. When I go to water my plants, the water sloshed out of the hole on top. Once it's done sloshing, it only sprinkles in a area that's maybe 6 inches across, and rather forcefully so. Needless to say, I hate using it because it causes a lot of soil erosion!

If you have a watering can that you love, please tell me about it!

Thanks!

Nicole, I also have had bad luck with watering cans, everybody around me sells the cheap plastic, made in China grade cans.  I have, however found one that I'm ordering this spring that looks promising.  It's from dramm and looks like it's made in Sweden. I'm in the "quality only hurts once" group, so dropping $50 bucks, plus whatever the roses cost, doesn't bother me too much if it lasts a very long time.  I imagine I've spent that much already on cheap cans.  I've used water beakers and brass hose shut offs from dramm for many years, so I'm thinking their watering can will be of similar good quality.  The can I'm looking at is model B10L, 10 liter or 2.5 gallon, then you have to get the detachable roses and elbows.  Amazon has the can for $53, the roses are on dramm' site, but I haven't picked one yet.

Dramm's web page is http://www.dramm.com/html/main.isx?sub=425

I would definitely be interested to hear what you decide on.
Cheers
Kevin

I don't have a recommendation, but this thread reminded me Majory Wildcraft did a video on the subject. This might help a bit to understand what to look for and what to avoid.

Kevin Derheimer wrote:Nicole, I also have had bad luck with watering cans, everybody around me sells the cheap plastic, made in China grade cans.  I have, however found one that I'm ordering this spring that looks promising.  It's from dramm and looks like it's made in Sweden. I'm in the "quality only hurts once" group, so dropping $50 bucks, plus whatever the roses cost, doesn't bother me too much if it lasts a very long time.  I imagine I've spent that much already on cheap cans.  I've used water beakers and brass hose shut offs from dramm for many years, so I'm thinking their watering can will be of similar good quality.  The can I'm looking at is model B10L, 10 liter or 2.5 gallon, then you have to get the detachable roses and elbows.  Amazon has the can for $53, the roses are on dramm' site, but I haven't picked one yet.

Dramm's web page is http://www.dramm.com/html/main.isx?sub=425

I would definitely be interested to hear what you decide on.
Cheers
Kevin

Thank you for the recommendation! I like that it has a lifetime warranty (does that include damaged incurred by small children? ). I need a nozzle/rose (had no idea watering can nozzles were called roses until today!), and spending an extra $12 for just the rose is painful. I did find a place that is selling it cheaper than amazon. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/dramm-watering-can/watering-supplies is selling the can AND rose for $44.99. But, they don't let you chose the color. Usually that's a non-issue for me, but if I end up with a red one, I'll likely also end up with endless battles with my 3-year old son who loves red. And, that's something I don't need in my life!

So, I'm still researching!

Devin Lavign wrote:I don't have a recommendation, but this thread reminded me Majory Wildcraft did a video on the subject. This might help a bit to understand what to look for and what to avoid.

Thank you for the video! I've noticed similar things in my experience with watering cans. One thing she didn't mention is how some watering cans love to slosh out the hole you fill it with. I wish I knew why some do that and some do not.

I've also been looking at the Bosmere/Haws watering can that she mentioned, but all their cans that carry over two gallons cost over $100, which I just can't afford...and don't know if I'd want to spend my money on that, even if I could!

The standard of the industry has always been Haws, in England. Perfectly balanced (the handle is for tipping it to pour--you hold it by the strut) with the rose (sprinkler head) pointing upward so that the water falls like a gentle rain. These are available in galvanized steel and in plastic, and each comes with both a sprinkler rose and a right-angle spout for watering pots. Worth every penny. I've used one for years.    https://www.bountifulgardens.org/products/SHA-9270%20%20PLASTIC

I just wish the affordable Haws cans carried more water. Of the ones that are under $50, none of them carry more than 1.6 gallons/6 liters. I really like my current watering cans because they lug a gallon and a half of water, and that makes for less trips too and from the pond or spigot or whatever I'm lugging water from.

I did, however, find this watering can by Bosmere, and Bosmere is also makeing watering cans in England, and may have bought out Haws (I see both names listed on many watering cans). It doesn't look as beautifully balanced, but it carries 2.6 gallons and seems to be of quality construction. I also like that it has a giant hole, which should make mixing up ammendments in it easier. It'a also only $31.99



I'm still not decided, though, and I love all these suggestions!  

I bought HAWS as they are the best available in the UK. The plastic ones are like most other plastics, and are short lived. Go for the galvanised metal ones. They will outlast you as long as you don't keep them permanently filled, or if you stand them on soil. Drain therm and hang them up. They'll be the last cans you buy.

Oh, I'd LOVE to buy one of their metal watering cans...but I don't have an extra $130+ that I can spend on one. Plus, I have a three-year old and a baby that will grow to be a toddler. I don't want to make that sort of investment only to have one of them grab it while I'm on the other side of the garden, and then break it. Hopefully in 10 years I'll be able to make that investment!

Devin Lavign wrote:I don't have a recommendation, but this thread reminded me Majory Wildcraft did a video on the subject. This might help a bit to understand what to look for and what to avoid.

I was out in my garden today, and noticed that the gold watering can (the one with the weird bulge behind the rose) looks identical to my most hated watering can, except mine is blue. I will call it "The Detested One." I bought The Detested One last year at Do It Best Center because it was "Made In America." But, it's plastic is cheaper than the ACE Hardware one I have (my son managed to dent The Detested One, which he never managed to do with my other ones). Also, when you go to water with it, if it's filled more than 2/3rds full, water sloshes out the top all over your cloths and eroding the soil (which is really nasty when you're applying manure tea). Also, if it gets ANYTHING in the rose, it pretty much pours (dribbles harshly) in one area, rather than sprinkling, causing a lot of erosion.

I dislike that watering can so much that I gave up on it entirely. I used electrical tape to sort of fix the rose on my ACE Hardware one (which, though broken, still pours better than The Detested One), and I gave the The Detested One to my three year old to do with as he pleases!

Edit: Found a link to The Detested One (https://www.btudoitcenter.com/products/768719?_=533ce8a71ef345d16d519ecc991147f1e42be65f), in case anyone wants more info on it.

So, it's durable, it's cleanable, it sprinkles evenly, and it's cheap! I took pics of where I put holes in this laundry soap container. I even do fertigation with it and regularly loose it around the house and yard. It's over a year old now and still looks the same!

I've had a pretty good time using Dramm watering cans as well. Currently have a 5 liter green one I picked up from Johnny's Selected Seeds early Spring last year. It came with a rose that can pop on and off easily.

I think my only problem has been that is requires lots of refilling if you are watering sizeable areas... but it is not too heavy when full, so that is a plus.

Well, I made my selection! I bought the Bosemere N570 Watering Can. It's made by the same company that makes Haws watering cans. So far, I'm very pleased with it. It holds lots of water, does NOT sploosh water out the top, is tall so I don't have to bend far to pick it up (and added bonus), was only $31.99, the rose waters evenly in both settings, and there's a place to store the rose. The only downside is that the handle is rectangular, rather than round, but it isn't too painful to carry, even when filled to the brim. I also like the wide opening for filling it up, cleaning it out, and mixing amendments. All in all, I'm really pleased with it.

And, in attempts to safe guard my watering can from my three year old, we let him pick one out at our local hardware store. He got this 1 gallon metal watering can. He picked a red one, as it's his favorite color. The rose isn't detachable, which is both a pro and con for him. He likes to scoop up all sorts of ucky water that the ducks have cleaned their bills in, and then fill his watering can with it. But, I showed him how to get the gunk out of the holes (fill it with clean water and start pouring, as he pours, he wipes the rose to pull out the gunk. It worked pretty well). He's had it for about two weeks and hasn't destroyed it, yet. The handles on it are really nice, smooth and rounded. And, the one on the top can go up and down, which makes it even more fun to use.

We are both very happy with our new watering cans!

Thanks for the up[date Nicole, looks like you both got good deals.

My best watering can is not durable at all.  It is a gallon milk jug with several holes drilled into the shoulder (and a couple in the handle for air equalization).  Oh, after a few months sitting out in the sun it can get brittle and crack, but I didn't pay anything for it to begin with, so I'm still ahead.  

What's nice is you can drill larger holes for a soaker can, or many more small holes if you want a gentle shower type of waterer.

I know this discussion is sort of closed, but I just noticed it and wanted to share.  I've got this Swiss-made one.  

https://www.manufactum.com/swiss-plastic-watering-can-p1448865/

It's made with very thick plastic, is ergonomic, has a large hole on the top, and has a good spray pattern.  The only drawbacks are the fact that the rose sometimes falls off (often because it gets clogged by what I'm watering with), the rose is a bit difficult to clean, and the price.  But it will probably pay for itself, considering how poorly made most of the cheap ones are.  Now I have to be careful not to lose that rose!

I once bought this Haws can for the house, and promptly returned it.  The rose was defective, and lots of water dripped out from the wrong place.  I guess there are duds even in the best lines.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10412&cat=2,2280,42608

Fiskars 2-gallon is the best I've used.  It's well-balanced, doesn't come apart, and has a decent spray pattern.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Gallon-Watering-Thyme-20-45222/dp/B003G4450S

Hi folks, it's time for me to acquire a new watering can. My previous experiences were all cheap plastic ones that inevitably broke or got blown away by the wind. This time around, I want to get something durable; however, local in-store options aren't looking too hot, hence I'm turning to the interwebs for recommendations.

I'm looking for two different cans for separate purposes:

1. Outdoor watering can for direct seeded seeds/seedlings. Capacity of around 2 gallons with a rose that is gentle enough not to hurt delicate plants.

2. Indoor watering can for houseplants. Capacity of a gallon or less. Nice long spout that lets me easily access plants on shelves and hard to reach places. Aesthetics would be a plus since it'll probably sit out on a shelf somewhere. I'd rather it look like something meant to be in the room vice a standard plastic watering can if that makes sense.

Only thread I could find by searching is linked below. It's seven years old, so I'm hoping perhaps some folks have had good or bad experiences with cans since then!

https://permies.com/t/62708/durable-watering

I also need a watering can, of the former type with the little holes for gentle watering.  I hope you find a good one.  I keep looking at the consignment shop, but haven't come across one I like, even in the garden section, so maybe I should just bite the bullet and buy one new.

We bought what looks like a stainless steel watering can at Sam's Club.  It was pretty though I feel it was more for looks than for use.

Anne Miller wrote:We bought what looks like a stainless steel watering can at Sam's Club.  It was pretty though I feel it was more for looks than for use.

Stainless steel can be great for durability - also because it can be made thinner they tend to be lighter.
I have a lovely thick galvanised steel can for outside watering. It has one of those handles that go right round so you can reposition your hands anywhere, which is practical and looks elegant.

This shape but zinc finish not painted

I bought it about 25 years ago. It seemed expensive at the time (see spedning to save), but.....The plastic one I had previously soon went to the 'great greenhouse in the sky'.

I usually use it without the rose (which on mine is also galvanised steel not brass) and water my seedlings from underneath.
Here's mine about 5 years ago - amongst my messy propagating area!

Nancy Reading wrote:
I usually use it without the rose (which on mine is also galvanised steel not brass) and water my seedlings from underneath.

I told a lie! Mine does have the brass rose. Here's a picture of my 25 year old can today. It looks very much the same as the one I linked above. It maybe mine was a Burgen and Ball, I can't remember, but it looks like they only do painted ones now.

Chard Irking wrote: 2. Indoor watering can for houseplants. Capacity of a gallon or less. Nice long spout that lets me easily access plants on shelves and hard to reach places. Aesthetics would be a plus since it'll probably sit out on a shelf somewhere. I'd rather it look like something meant to be in the room vice a standard plastic watering can if that makes sense.

That makes total sense! Have you considered looking in Charity Shops for a tea pot? Some are very pretty, and if you're only looking for a fairly small amount of water, a 4 to 8 cup pot might do the job? The spout may not be as long as you might like, but the aesthetics might win you over.

So I got some metal watering cans. Being metal rather than plastic they are a lot more durable in then sun. I don't know the brand since it's not printed on them.

The green one holds about 2.5 gallons. I really like this design, it works very well.

FWIW, something like this, with a brass rose, kept keepin' on for at least 10 years, until I left it with my ex. I'm sure it's still fine. Worked great, though only for stuff on the ground. I also always wanted to get a finer rose for it, but never did. Was made in the UK I assume, had a Union Jack sticker on the bottom. Got it for a pretty penny at an upscale nursery, something like $80 US, in late 90s YIKES! full on impulse buy lol

Jay Angler wrote:That makes total sense! Have you considered looking in Charity Shops for a tea pot? Some are very pretty, and if you're only looking for a fairly small amount of water, a 4 to 8 cup pot might do the job? The spout may not be as long as you might like, but the aesthetics might win you over.

No - that is a great idea though! Definitely what I am envisioning. It would probably provide some more options too than just looking for a watering can.