Watering is one of those areas that perplex and sometimes even scare home gardeners. Did I water enough? Too much, or maybe I water too often or not enough when I do water?
No matter what you read, there is no one easy answer. Each garden and growing environment is unique, and your plants’ needs may differ from mine.
Tools and equipment for watering we cover:
- Manual pressure pump sprayer
- Far-reaching garden pressure pump sprayer
- Watering can with sprinkler head
- Classic spray bottles for misting
- Garden hose nozzle sprayer
- Long-reach garden hose nozzle sprayer
- Soaker hoses
- Hose carts
And the right tools and some general principles can help you achieve better results with minimum effort.
- Plants do not want the root system to sit in constant wet as it needs air or oxygen to develop
- You want moist but not wet soil
- If unsure, water more when you do water, but water less often
- Seeds should never dry out
- For mature plants, a mild dry-out is better than soaking wet soil
Manual pressure pump sprayer
Indispensable when you have more than a couple of plants to spray daily. Regular one-pump-per-spray bottles are great, but my hands get tired, and having that manual pump to build up pressure and then just be ready to go for several minutes is a blessing.
Necessary? Not until you wake up to a full-on attack of aphids across several tomato or pepper plants. One of my better investments.
This model is great for close-up spray action. Look below if you need a model with further reach.
My Pick: Best Overall Gardening Sleeves
Farmer’s Defense Arm Protection
Wearing sleeves is a no-brainer and protects against sunburn, UV radiation, scratches, cuts and insect bites.
And these sleeves from Farmer’s Defense tick all the boxes.
Pros:
– UPF 50+ protection
– Scratch Resistant
– Anti-slide ensures a good fit
– Made from recycled materials
– Thumbhole
Cons:
– Bold patterns may not suit everyone
Read my full review here: The Best Gardening Sleeves For Protection, Comfort & Safety
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Far-reaching garden pressure pump sprayer
Great when you need to spray plants that are growing tall or when you need to reach deep.
I use mine specifically for indeterminate tomato varieties. Great if you need to spray those mature beefsteak tomato plants.
Ideal for hard to reach areas
Multi-Purpose Garden Sprayer
Easy to use for those hard-to-reach areas in the garden. Give it a few pumps, adjust the nozzle, and you are ready to go.
Comes in different sizes. I prefer the 2-gallon (7,6 liters) tank as I sometimes need it but can only fill the tank with what I need for the job.
For me, it is a great tool for general garden use but also to fight pests and fungal diseases on larger plants like bushy peppers and indeterminate tomato plants.
Pros:
Adjustable cone nozzle
Anti-clog filter
Allows spraying with reach and precision
Great for plant care and fertilizers
Cons:
2-gallon / 7.6 liter version can get heavy to carry
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Watering can with sprinkler head
I am sure you already own at least one, but it is impossible to omit this gardening classic.
I like that it comes in different colors. I always used to get confused about which watering I last used for water with liquid fertilizer. Nowadays, green watering can equal nutrients.
Go Classic or Decorative
1 Gallon Watering Can with Sprinkler Head
Watering can for both indoor plants and garden watering. The detachable shower head and long stem allow for controlled, focused watering. There are larger sizes, but this one is big enough for me, and it is easy to carry around the garden.
Pros:
Detachable shower nozzle
Pick your favorite color
Proven design and function
Cons:
If you are strong, you may prefer a larger size
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Classic spray bottles for misting
Can it get more classic than a manual one-pump-one-spray water bottle? Mine are primarily used when I start seeds and need a little bit of water and a lot of control.
But as long as you have strong hands, this is truly the only spray bottle you will ever need.
Essential for plant care
Spray Bottles For Misting
This is a must-have. Whether you are misting seeds in starter pots, spraying plants to get rid of aphids or other pests, or need to mist the leaves of a plant – spray bottles are the go-to tool.
Bottles come in different colors to help you remember which bottle contains what.
Pros:
Set of 3 in different colors
Attractive price for a standard product
Cons:
You may need more than 3?
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Garden hose nozzle sprayer
Some spring and summer, there are a lot of thirsty plants in the garden. And carrying water cans is only fun for so long.
I get the hose out, hook up my hose nozzle sprayer, and I am as happy as can be. It is easy to adjust water intensity and spray pattern to avoid dislocating plants and soil.
If you are looking for a nozzle sprayer with further reach for those low-growing plants, please see below.
Making watering plants up-close easier
Garden Hose Nozzle Sprayer
Walking through the garden and watering our plants is a luxury for most home gardeners. We do not see it as a burden – we are checking up on our green friends.
A good quality Garden hose nozzle sprayer will let you move between plants and apply the appropriate water pressure for all your plants’ watering needs.
Is it necessary? Of course not, but it is oh-so helpful.
Pros:
Made from 100% heavy-duty metal
8 different spray patterns
Thumb controller for on/off & water pressure
Cons:
There are cheaper alternatives
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Long-reach garden hose nozzle sprayer
If you are a regular reader, you already know that I make and use grow bags for many of my plants and vegetables. And if you have read my articles, you know that we never want to wet the leaves when watering plants.
And as it does get tiresome to bend down to water plants at soil level, a long-reach garden hose nozzle sprayer is truly a lifesaver for my back. I could honestly not do without it.
Lifesaver for my knees and back
Long-reach garden hose sprayer
You always want to water vegetables, tomatoes, and peppers at the base of the plant to avoid leaves getting wet.
And with a long nozzle sprayer want, you can do just that without hurting your knees or back.
I would not be without mine.
Pros:
Perfect for watering at the base without hurting back
Adjustable length 36”-60” (ca 90 – 150 cm)
7 different spray patterns
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Soaker hoses
Not necessary, but oh so lovely on a hot summer day when life gets in the way of gardening.
I place mine around my tomato plants and connect it to a timer for those hot days when I know my tomato plants will need water and I am away. And no, while I have lovely neighbors, I would not trust them with my tomato plants.
Ideal for those hot days
Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose
Soaker hoses are perfect for watering vegetable gardens and raised garden beds on those hot summer days. Well, they are great all season long, but for me, they are a lifesaver in July and August when the weather is scorching.
Leave it on to water your plants, and keep sipping that cool iced tea.
I prefer the round soaker hoses, but there are also flat models.
Pros:
Perfect time saver on hot days
Heavy-duty recycled rubber
7-year warranty
Cons:
Some may prefer a flat hose
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Hose carts
The true workhorse of the garden. I have 2 of these, and they live on opposite sides of our house.
Reliable, easy-to-use, durable – I could go on, but my Gardena hose carts are great. The optional hose guide is a nice feature, and it makes a big difference, especially when rolling back the hose.
Essential for gardening
Frost-Proof Hose Cart with Optional Hose Guide
Gardena is one of my favorite brands; they have never disappointed me. This hose cart is a complete set and is one of our true workhorses for the outdoor growing season.
The frostproof feature does help, as we never learn and tend to get surprised every year.
This is an investment in your gardening, and you will not regret buying a Gardena brand gardening tool.
Pros:
Durable and solid construction
The hose guide option is a great feature
Kickstand prevents the cart from falling over
Cons:
There are cheaper alternatives
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.