The method you use will vary, but often it is sufficient to use a good long handled water wand. Use a light delivery setting, avoiding “jet” as a rate of delivery. Gentle soaking will allow water to penetrate and expand the soil capillaries, keeping moisture in longer so plant roots can uptake water. Again, crowded plants or heavy water users may require watering daily in summer, as there is not sufficient space to store moisture. Perfect for hanging baskets, pots and other hard to reach areas (where you may struggle with a large and cumbersome regular watering can.) The RHS explained: “If compost becomes dry, it is difficult to rewet and tends to run off the sides and dry areas may be left in the compost even after a thorough watering. Never use container plants for shade alongside flowers for pots in full sun, and take care not to include fast-growing plants with those that are slower, as they will swamp the others and you will end up with a basket full of the same plant. Baskets and containers are notoriously thirsty, but careful watering will save water and allow plants to flourish.

A unique style and design, and if you are a bit of a home accessories geek like me, you may certainly be charmed by this feature. If you grow little shrubs or perennials in your baskets, feed them annually in spring by adding a slow-release fertiliser. Deadheading Try using a watering wand attachment to make it even easier to reach those hanging baskets in hard to reach places to make sure they are watered thoroughly. Containers that allow you to water below the surface of the compost (such as selfwatering baskets) keep the surface dry, reducing evaporation and have in built space to store water if it does rain.

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Irrigation systems automate the delivery of the water, saving time and labour, but they still need intervention to maintain and optimise. They are not a 'fit and forget' solution, and if treated as such are likely to perform worse than a manually watered basket. John has been a garden journalist for over 50 years and regularly answers readers' questions in Amateur Gardening magazine. He has also written four books and has delivered many talks over the years on horticulture. How can I make my hanging basket less maintenance? After all this watering can abuse, the Haws emblem badge is still intact and shiny and the watering can is still as good as new, (barring a few scratches and scuffs on the plastic body.) If you’re still inclined to give your baskets more than a glass a day consider placing pots under your baskets to capture any excess run-off. This also means you will capture the nutrients that would have escaped, so saving on feeding. This is also another thing to consider when shopping for the best watering can. Since different plants require different maintenance and care you need to choose a can depending on what your plants needs. 3. Materials

Get brilliant, healthy hanging baskets by following our guide on watering hanging baskets – including how much, how often and using grey water for recycling. The shaft is constructed of aluminum, so you can feel confident about it lasting multiple seasons. The long rubber handle also gives you plenty of room to hold the wand, so it doesn’t slip during use. Our only concern is its potential to become heavy and difficult to control when it's fully extended to 53 inches. Watering wands can weigh anywhere from less than a pound to around two pounds. Shorter watering wands typically weigh around 15 ounces or less and have equally distributed weight thanks to a shorter shaft. Longer watering wands can weigh over one pound and are typically top-heavy, meaning the nozzle will weigh down the far end of the wand. If you’re looking for a wand that’s comfortable to grip for a long time and isn’t top-heavy, consider a shorter 16-inch wand, or a telescoping wand that can be shortened as you fatigue.The na_srp cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com. CookieYes sets this cookie to record the default button state of the corresponding category and the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. If you do discover a leak, one of the easiest fixes for a water wand is replacing the washer between the hose and the wand as needed. If the shaft of your wand has a hole in it, or begins to leak where it telescopes, consider replacing it or using waterproof tape to seal the junction. The body is made from galvanised steel, and there are two handles to spread the weight of the water. This telescoping option from Orbit is our choice for best reach because of its fireman water flow control. Rather than having to choke your grip on the handle of the wand, you can easily rest your hand on the water control valve, which should also make the experience of watering tall hanging plants slightly more comfortable. This wand is also one of the lightest options in this roundup, which we think is important for a wand specifically selected for its reach.