A plastic watering can is often greatly beneficial when watering the garden. While water directly from the hose can work in many cases, hose water can spray rapidly, toppling plants and eroding soil over roots. Also, some people have 
yards so large that their garden hose cannot reach these areas. A watering can is designed to hold water in a receptacle and pour it from a spout. Watering can spouts can come in different orientations, some forming a shower action while others emit a solid stream. Tipping the can at various angles allows users to change the rate at which the water comes out. This allows for precise control of how much water the plants get.
Benefits of a Plastic Watering Can
Having a watering can on hand is a good idea if you are a gardener. You never know when you will need the help of a watering can to reach difficult areas. Because these cans can only hold a set amount of water at any given time, they are best used for watering potted plants. The reservoir of water is usually enough to water several plants before returning to the spigot for a refill.
Gardeners often use these cans to deliver liquid plant feed right to the root. Most liquid plant feed products need to be dissolved in water before application. The water and feed can be mixed together in the can for dual application, saving time. The pinpoint accuracy of the watering head allows users to distribute water and nutrients right where it is needed.
Plastic watering cans are superior to steel ones in that they will not rust. Plastic can be molded into many shapes that are comfortable to use and functional.
Features
Why do so many people use a plastic watering can when they could just use their hose? Watering cans are more comfortable to use, for one, and are easy to carry around. The water that comes out of hoses can be difficult to control and can spray in a harsh way. Water from a can is poured gently, preventing damage to your garden. Using a can promotes a more personal experience with your yard.
The first thing to look for in a can is what the water capacity is. Too little capacity will result in many trips between the garden and spigot. Too much and the can will be too heavy to carry when full (water weighs around 8 pounds per gallon).
Certain cans such as the ones from OXO have spouts which can rotate backward for storage. Rotating spouts keep water from flowing out while walking or maneuvering to the work site. Simply rotate the spout back around to start watering.
A scale on the side of the plastic can may come in handy when mixing ratios of fertilizer and water. Being able to see exactly how much liquid is inside the can is important to some gardeners. Since you will be carrying this can around, it makes sense to have a comfortable, ergonomic grip to carry it with. Handles that curve over the top and back of the can are best because they are comfortable to use in the upright and watering position. Working around water can make the handle slippery, so look for watering cans which have a rubber grip if this is a concern.
Spray Tips
Spray tips change the way the water flows out of the can. A tip with multiple holes on the end will result in a rain-like shower of water. This type of tip works well in gardens where there are delicate plants like flowers. Spouted tips, on the other hand, release water in a single flow much like a hose does except without the harsh pressure. Spouts release water quicker than shower heads, making them more suited for watering lots of plants quickly.
Related Guides:
If you enjoy working with plastic gardening containers, visit our post on plastic flower pots for information on potted plant flower gardening. Flower pots can be made out of many different materials, but none are so flexible, lightweight and colorful as the plastic varieties.
Using a watering can to water your lawn isn’t the most efficient use of your time. Learn how to grow green grass without the hassle with our lawn guide.
