Dear Esteemed and Potential Members of the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Old-Time Gardening Wisdom, Lore, and Superstition (SPPOTGWLS or “the Society”),It has occurred to me, your President, that it is high time a census of the gardening world was conducted to find out just how many watering cans some gardeners have.
I recently took a tour around my garden, sunroom, garage, great room, kitchen, etc. and determined that I have approximately four watering cans that I actually use for watering, and approximately… well I’m not sure how many others there are, that sit around, perhaps hoping to be used one day. That’s why a census is needed.
Which reminds me that I need to fill those watering cans I do use and water the plants that are now indoors and those that are still on the porch. There is always something to do in the garden, isn’t there?
Anyway…
As I reflected on the watering can, one of the greatest gardening inventions of all time (the hoe being the greatest), and all the various forms and sizes there are, I also began to see that there are images of watering cans all around me, on pictures, pillows, and even a pair of socks.
Therefore I, as President, decree that this special census be undertaken so as to ascertain how many watering cans other members of the Society have, if for no other reason than to confirm that I am not alone in having more than one watering can around the garden and house and desiring to have a few more, ‘just in case’.
Unfortunately, the Society has no funds to appropriate to hire actual watering can census takers, so each member is asked to honestly and without delay complete their own census and report in on their numbers to me, your self-proclaimed President. This reporting can be by whatever means is most convenient for the members, including email, comment, or your own blog post.
I shall complete my own census in the next day or so, wanting to take a little extra time to ensure as accurate a count as possible.
Yours truly,
Carol
President of the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Old-Time Gardening Wisdom, Lore, and Superstition (SPPOTGWLS or “the Society”)
Head Gardener at May Dreams Gardens
Comments
Frances
Truly reported on this day.
Jen
The Shibaguyz submit our survey as having one watering can. It is metal and we mainly use it in the summer to water our tomatoes and herbs growing in the planter mounted on our second floor balcony. However, it is currently being used to water the winter garden that is under cloche. It acts as both rain catcher as well as a vessel for the rain water collected in other containers.
While we only possess the one, it is a hard worker and a great helper in our gardening.
Please let the record show that the Shibaguyz have responded thusly (did we just make that word up??) in all honesty and with solemn truthfulness.
Jan
Always Growing
Piping in here, I have 2 watering cans, one in front, and one in back. The one in back is for the porch boxes which contain my kitchen herbs, allysum, and calendula. And anything else that wants to wander through and grow. (Just don't squeeze the Golden Crinkle Leafed Oregano, thank-you-very-much!) I ALSO have watering BUCKETS, for deep dunking those pesky plants which I have overlooked and left un-planted, or ignored, or un-watered. Bad Gardener. No biscuits for ME! I have a watering bucket here, a bucket there, here a bucket, there a bucket, everywhere a dunkin' bucket. Then INSIDE, I have a carafe for the living plants' watering needs, an old blender for just-in-case, a new tupperware pitcher which has been abscounded with to the West Window Arboreum, and several coffee cups for emergencies.
Knowing that there can never be too many watering cans, I remain, your happy gardener
>^,,^<
I will also admit to using a blender full of water to water houseplants and the occasional outdoor planter with when I was desperate.
Randy
I have two watering cans - one metal with a nice spout and the other plastic one is a piece of junk. I only use the nice one. I rely on my handy garden hose for most everything.
Although, I have to admit I bought it because it was adorable and I also confess that I hardly ever use it.
Oh, and there are two kid-sized cans my grandkids LOVE to fill up and help with watering my veggie garden.
BUCKETS are much more useful around here if there is going to be an implement used for watering.
HOSES dragged to the back 40 and everywhere in between is the tool of choice around here. It's just faster and more efficient in my garden.
I love your wit, Madame President!
For the most part I am a hose girl. Hosing things down in the summer. Showering plants in the bathtub during winter. Watering can only used on the plants too large to lug into the the bathroom or kitchen sink.
Great! I counted the containers that really are in use, in fact it's only two (one for inside, one for outside use). Funny and extraordinary thing to read how other people use to work!!
Those socks are great!
As a SPPOTGWLS supporter from Wales - I am pleased to report that I have 4 Watering cans.
A lovely red Haws, which I use for watering.
The plastic varieties are:-
A small one - for seedlings
A green one for feeding plants
and a red one for nematodes.
Well that's the theory - but the fact is I grab whichever is closest, usually the Haws because it is the nicest in an Old Fashioned kind of way.
K
There are 2 small watering cans in the garage for the kids - mostly they water their shoes.
I have 2 watering cans in the house - one upstairs and one downstairs.
That reminds me - I have to water the house plants now. Thanks.
Hoping to get a new water butt - which will mean a new watering can - a water butt deserves its own can!
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
one smaller blue metal one (it's teal, really), and a shiny silver one with a long spout (best for the african violets)....
Other items used for watering:
buckets, old OJ/Milk jugs, a Nalgene bottle, large glasses, etc.
I try to find a watering can, but sometimes that's not so easy.
Fortunately, it often rains enough and often enough for watering all my plants to be an occasional chore.
Although, I do use a bucket to dip water out of the pond when the nitrates and nitrites build up (it's only 50 gallons and the fish are messy eaters) and I use that to water select garden plants that need a shot of nitrogen.
Sue's Watering Cans
If this works, I am thanking Kim, Blackswamp Girl
Like you, I have four watering cans--two indoors and two outdoors. One of the indoor cans gets most of the work. The second also waters the piano humidifier when not in use as a watering can.
Outdoors I have a nice metal one that stayed outside too long one winter and warped at the bottom. It is a bit leaky as a result, but is still nominally functional.
My favorite outdoor can is a big plastic red Haws watering can with a rose. It is perfectly balanced and I love it. I must remember to bring it in before winter sets in for earnest.
Robin
National Gardening Examiner
Blogging at Bumblebeeblog.com
No socks, earrings or Christmas decorations that I can think of.
However, in the interest of counting cans, I have 2 copper can that I keep around the house. These were used a LOT last year, when I was keeping African Violets on my window-sill. The violets took a beating though, by my mischief-making kitty, so they are long gone. I got tired of nursing them and of cleaning up kitty throw-up (because eating them inevitably caused that and it's not nice to deal with!).
Those 2 cans are kind of decorative so they are sitting on the bottom shelf of my bakers rack right now. Sometime's I've put dried or silk flowers in them.
Well, I wrote all of this earlier today and had planned to take a few photos of my (3) watering cans and make a blog post out of it...but after looking at Sue's huge assortment (!) I think I'll just blow off that idea!!
Jan
I keep two Rubbermaid-type watering cans filled and ready, one on the front porch and one near the patio.
I don't have fancy watering cans for the houseplants. Philo made rain-bottles out of empty mouthwash containers by drilling small holes in the caps.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose