There is, of course, more than one way to water the garden. And if you’re like my mother, the original no-fuss, no-muss gardener, you will hear the wisdom in her quip: “Just pray for rain.” However, should the rainmakers be beyond our reach, we just might have to grab a can. And when it comes to ferrying bucketloads of H2O back and forth to the beds, never mind the aesthetics, the essential question is this: Does it get the job done? We set out to find a few great cans, from near fanciful to just plain functional, that answer that query with a resounding yes, yes, yes.
A TRUE BEAUTY
Here’s the long-necked cobalt-blue swan of a watering can. With that brass “rose,” as only the English could name the head at the end of the spout, it’s positively luxurious, this Haws conservatory can. Might be mistaken for garden weaponry, though. In fact, beware when gardening in pairs, you could impale your partner. But indeed, it’s just the thing for getting to the back of the border without trampling the tenderlings in the front row. Made of galvanized steel and finished with glossy enamel, this is a can you’ll hand down to your kiddies. And you will pay for the privilege: It costs $110. Holds 1 gallon; weighs 14 pounds when full. Order through www.garnethill.com, or call 800-622-6216.
THE PRACTICAL STEP-SISTER
Not unlike the long-necked beauty above, this slightly scaled-down model comes in lightweight plastic, of scarlet hue. And get this, it comes with accessories (who ever heard of watering-can accessories?) that make spilling a thing of the past–be sure, though, to choose the right toy (a downspout, extension spout, or simply the brass rose). The gentle rush of sprinkling water from the brass rose is enough to lull me to slumber, right there in the beds. Makes me want to water all day. Poor besotted plants. High-grade, thick-walled plastic said to “resist temperature changes,” and, Lord knows, we have those. Weighs 14 pounds when full. Holds 1 gallon. Costs $39 at Smith& Hawken, 1780 N. Marcey St., 312-266-1988, 1883 2nd St., Highland Park, 847-681-0380, or Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Rd., Suite 132, Deer Park, 847-438-0919; or order online at www.smithand hawken.com, or by phone, by calling 800-981-9888.
PLAINLY A WINNER
You can’t beat this old standard for just plain doing the job. Nothing fancy, no tricks. Sure no beauty prize, but it will take the bumps and bruises of a life sentence in the garden. It comes in jade green, holds 2 gallons, weighs 18 pounds when full, and it dribbles while watering, so stick to the great outdoors. It’s the best-selling watering can at Ace Hardware stores, where the suggested selling price is a mere $6.50. You should be able to find it at your neighborhood Ace Hardware store (for nearest location, check the store locator at www.acehardware.com). Drip, drip, drip . . .