Watering the garden

Every gardener dreads the loss of a plant through lack of water. Find out how garden tools were developed to ensure that every plant gets a regular drink.

Georgian Gardeners with Plant Stand & Watering (1807) by William Henry PyneGarden Museum

Ever since gardeners began growing crops and flowers, the challenge of ensuring their health and survival has always involved providing them with enough water.

Carte de Visite of an Exeter Gardener (1871) by H. MowerGarden Museum

Watering cans, a vital tool for watering plants, come in an array of designs ranging from ergonomic and elegant to pretty and playful.

Tudor Thumb Watering Pot (1500/1600) by UnknownGarden Museum

The predecessor of the watering can was a thumb pot.

Woodcut: Thumb Watering Pot (c.1670) by Adam LonicerGarden Museum

The ‘Florists Vade Mecum’ (1638) describes how a thumb pot ‘being put into water will fill from the bottom, which will stay in so long as you stop out the air with your thumb at the top; this serves to water young and tender seedlings for by the motion of your thumb you may cause the water to fall gently upon them more or less as you shall desire’.

Thumb pot animationGarden Museum

Earthenware watering pot (1600/1700) by UnknownGarden Museum

In the 17th century glazed earthenware pots were introduced and replaced the thumb pot. The Garden Museum’s example is one of a handful to have survived over the centuries; this type of watering device with its short spout and broad rose is a forerunner of the modern watering can.

Copper and brass watering can (1750/1800) by unknownGarden Museum

This beautiful copper can from the second half of the 18th century has decorative brass trimmings and a functional hinged lid for adding water.

Photograph: Gardeners in Bowlers with Watering Cans & Sprayers (c.1890) by UnknownGarden Museum

The watering can has had many redesigns since the clay thumb pot. One design recognised by the gardening elite, winning a National Chrysanthemum Society Gold Medal award in 1894, was the patented can by John Haws. The design encompassed two handles, one for tipping and one for carrying.

Small copper watering can (1950/1970) by unknownGarden Museum

Haws continues to be a leading brand in watering cans creating practical and sleek designs such as this small 1950s copper can.

Vallo Watering Can (2006) by Ikea and Monika MulderGarden Museum

In the 20th century the invention of plastic enabled a greater variety of new designs which were lighter than their copper and steel counterparts. This malleable material also allowed for creative and sleek designs, such as the ‘Vallo’ produced by Ikea.

Elephant Shaped Watering Can (2004) by UnknownGarden Museum

Playful designs such as this elephant shaped can may not be practical for watering large numbers of plants but they continue to delight and amuse gardeners.

Elegant Company Playing a Game of Lawn Bowls (c.1600) by UnknownGarden Museum

Watering a large area with watering cans has always been a labour intensive process. Therefore tools to reduce this workload have always been sought after. This painting of a group playing a game of lawn bowls dating from the early 17th century features a wheeled wagon which may have been used to transport water to different areas of the garden.

De gebluste brand in de zeepziederij De Bruinvis, 1682 (in of voor 1690) by Heyden, Jan van derRijksmuseum

Many gardeners now rely on hosepipes to water their plants. The earliest pipes were made using leather sewn into tubes. However, these leaked and were cumbersome. Canvas and hemp were also used with different coatings being added to make them waterproof. Patents were still being applied for in the late 19th century for new methods of waterproofing.

The Crystal Palace at Hyde Park, London (1851) by John Jabez Edwin MayallThe J. Paul Getty Museum

Inventors continued to look for new materials to produce hosing and by the time of the International Exhibition in 1851 rubber hosing was being marketed by several companies. One company was producing and advertising a “Hose-reel with garden-hose attached”.

Chelsea Physic Garden (2016) by Eileen HoganGarden Museum

The Victorian era saw mains water becoming more widely available and with it the widespread use of hoses became possible.

Small Garden Sprinkler (1960/1970) by UnknownGarden Museum

Once pressurised water was provided sprinkler attachments were soon developed.

Derek Jarman Watering Raised Bed (1990/1994) by Howard SooleyGarden Museum

Now that watering the garden is less of a chore gardeners can spend their time contemplating the delights of their plot whilst they give it a good soaking.

Credits: Story

Thumb pot animation by Ruth Emma Fox

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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