Waterbutts

Most water barrels are pretty ugly green plastic and are fine if you can hide them away. If you can't there are now some clever options. I used to have a real Oak Barrel (former sherry barrel)  which was lovely looking but very heavy and rotted away after about 4 years. The problem was not the oak but the iron rings holding it together which rusted away so the barrel leaked then fell apart.

A new option is this waterbutt shown opposite which looks like a traditional Oak barrel but is actual made from a high grade plastic. This should last many years with no maintenance whatsoever and although I generally don't like plastic - especially in the garden, this is one product that I think is practical and looks good too.

click to see more details on this waterbutt

click to see a large range of waterbutts and rain storage systems from a Fredshed recommended supplier

Rain Water Diverters

A good idea but a pain in the Butt?

Collecting rainwater from your roof to use it for watering and reduce your bills is a very good idea and a number of companies produce rain diverting products to enable you to do this.

Sadly most of them are crap and fitting them can be a real pain in  the butt. Nearly all the kits come with the minimum of fittings and they either charge you more for "accessories" or just leave you scratching  your head at the plumbing counter  while you try and work out which diameter of hose,  pipe or connector you need to connect the dam thing to your butt.

For example the most popular (and the original) device is the Rainsava which comes supplied with a small white plastic pipe to connect to your barrel.

This is fine if your barrel has straight sides (which many don't) then you will need to purchase an extra flexible pipe kit (which most shops don't stock)

If you cut your drainpipe to fit a Rainsava then you will probably need to buy and fit drainpipe clips to hold it securely. If not you may get soaked in stinky water when you try and take it apart to unblock it, or your drainpipe will leak and damage the fabric of your house.

These overpriced "easy fit" plastic gadgets, with inadequate instructions  are the sort of thing that annoy me intensely and is a good reason why so many people visit Fredshed.com for honest advice.

I tell you the pros and cons of products not just the good bits mentioned on the box!

If you want a basic rainwater diverter then try this cheap one below

Rain diverters are  prone to blocking and cleaning them out is not as simple as the instructions make out as many are made from poor quality plastic that is hard to fit together or take apart.

This "superior" Raincatcher has a removable basket that collects the moss, leaves and other debris from your roof.

Forget to empty this and you could cause some serious damage to your walls.

The UK made Rainsava cost about £18 but this "superior" model with an easy to remove crud basket is about £25.

Once your device is fitted you will need to check it regularly for blockages.

Beat the hosepipe ban with the New Draper Water Butt pump

If you collect water from your roof you can pump it from your water butt through your hosepipe.

This pump is also useful for emptying swimming pools and ponds -

 check price of the Draper waterbutt pump

check price of alternative brand

This simple pump for around £40 will pay for itself by cutting your waterbills and saving your valuable plants from dying.

Fredshed watersaving tips

I keep a watering can near my shower and fill it up with the cold water that comes out before the hot comes through.

Also I use the water from my vegetable steamer to water plants - they love the nutrients too.

I think retractable hose reels are one of the best innovations in gardening equipment and really help to keep your garden tidy and well watered.

The one featured right is the Australian made hose that was around many years before the Hozelock versions.

 I have used one of these for many years and am very impressed by the quality. I have found that plastic products made in Australia tend to be very durable as they are designed to cope with massive amounts of UV light.

The bad news is the price - around 200,  but you get a 5 year warranty and a product that  really will last and not annoy you buy getting stuck.

Redashe and Sealey Professional Hose Reels

 buy the Rolls Royce of hose reels

A cheaper alternative retractable hose reel

This hose reel is a more recent introduction from Hozelock, based in Buckinghamshire.

It is very similar but does not have the 5 year warranty. It is also available in various sizes, from around £35.

I use both makes now and find them indispensable. Redashe also make a budget version of their original "retracta hose" and can be contacted on 01252 785010

 see the largest range of Hozelock and other quality hose-reels online

I have used a push button watering can for around 5 years and would not go back to using a conventional one.  Too much effort!

This 7 litre can was invented by my friend Paul Bone who won a Golden Shed Award for it and recently appeared on the TV show " The Apprentice" with his new petrol can.

This stylish small watering can is not only aesthetically pleasing it is also VERY practical. Water  can be accurately released  when you press the button and the filling hole has a sliding cover to prevent spillage.

The pinpoint is also designed to sit nicely on your windowsill where the sun can warm the water to the right temperature for your delicate house plants.

I absolutely love this watering can and am 100% sure you will too, it makes a lovely present for gardener or plant lover.

  buy the stylish Nucan Pinpoint  by clicking this link

click link below for the funky tomato can

The Pinpoint -  A Stylish New Push Button Watering Can

 Golden Shed Award Winner

click here for traditional metal watering cans

I have tested many gadgets and giszmos over the last 15 years that claim to water your plants when you go away. I have lost a lot of plants as a result! The 2 gadgets below are the most reliable I know.

Bottle Top Watering Spikes

These self regulating spikes use air temperature to dictate the amount of water released. Therefore they water more when the weather is hot and the plants need it. Each Kit comes with a small 650mm container but you can change this and add your own bottle.

 buy drinks bottle watering spike

fits bottles up to 2 litres

Hanging Basket Watering Solution

These amazing little pads swell up with water and retain it so that it is released into your hanging basket or pot slowly and carefully. As they dry they shrink back but then swell again with watering.

These slices are made from a new environmentally friendly material unlike some of the old swell gel type products that came out around 10 years ago.

The water slice is also very durable and is like a sponge. I have dried them out and left them for weeks before dehydrating and they survived this test.

 click to buy a water slice

This superb long handled watering lance has an adjustable head that can produce a shower like drenching pattern or a fine delicate mist.

Ideal for ferns, seedlings and wet T shirt competitions.

At first I was not impressed by this gadget as I hate hanging baskets and did not think I would have any use for it. Then when I tired it out I found it was so handy for quickly watering my tomatoes that are in a remote part of my garden. 

Using a large Tubtrug as a reservoir I was able to suck up water quickly to dispense accurately on my toms and other thirsty plants.

The Rainstick is made in Canada and very durable, there is also an optional spout adapter for more accurate watering (£3.50)

The Rainstick costs £14.95  e mail fred@fredshed.com for details.

Rainstick - Syphonic Watering Device

For Hanging Basket Watering - now only £14.95

Most garden spray guns need constant pumping to keep the pressure up enough to spray your plants with fertilizer or pesticide. This 6volt battery model  can be constantly recharged and gives up to 2 hours use from one charge.

It holds 5 litres and comes with a versatile lance with 2 spray nozzles.

I have used this sprayer for 5 years with the same battery! Guide price £65

 get price on the Draper 6v Garden Sprayer

Want a hand pumped sprayer?

 see the Hozelock killaspray range

Draper Cordless Garden Sprayer

I have owned or tried a number of lawn sprinklers over the years and often found them hard to set up right.

The Gardena Aquazoom impressed me the most as it is very easy to adjust and like all German made Gardena products - it is a quality product that lasts.

Available in a range of sizes, one model even has a built in timer.!

This elegant device looks like a piece of garden sculpture but is actually a very practical garden sprinkler.

It comes in 3 designs, hummingbird, butterfly or dragonfly., It is particularly good for people who have trouble bending as you can attach the hose and place the sprinkler from a standing position.

The two copper circles spin in opposite directions and create an attractive and hypnotising effect. .

click to see similar ornamental sprinklers

or use link below

These handy little plastic gadgets let you convert an old pop bottle into the most convenient watering can.

The slim size is ideal for sitting on narrow shelves and heating up to room temperature in the sun.

You can use a variety of sizes of pop bottle including coloured ones that look nicer on a windowill.

The bottle top waterers are so handy and so popular with my readers that in 2002 I awarded them a coveted Golden Shed Award.

Bottle Top Watering Caps make ideal gifts for any plant lover.

The packet includes 4 mini bottle top sprinklers

 click to buy bottle top watering pack

I tested Gardena, Hozelock and Draper and Rehau.

After many years of extensive testing I have come to the conclusion that Gardena are the best closely followed by Hozelock and Rehau. Draper is a good budget brand and widely available. Mostly you will be able to mix and match but it is better to stick to one system.

 My personal favorite is the Gardena system as it has the best ergonomic grip for use by wet or arthritic hands, and seems to be the least affected by UV (sunlight) and frost. It is also the most expensive and not so easily available.

buy all Draper, Hozelock and Reahu Plastic garden watering connectors online

Beware of really cheap watering connectors, they will undoubtedly leak and break up after a couple of seasons. Also they tend to get stuck or leak which is even more annoying

 Got a leaking Hosepipe?

repair it with this simple and cheap fitting

(UK Made)

Fred's Recomended Hosepipe Kit

I like this super tough UK made hosepipe that comes with a spraygun and fittings.

Buy  cheap - buy twice , this has a 20 year guarantee and with free delivery it is not much more expensive that some of the rubbish sold in the shops.

TOP FREDSHED TIP FOR WATERING SYSTEMS

Don't forget to disconnect and/or open manifolds in winter otherwise ice will crack them up!

For the ultimate in durability brass is definitely the best. The range of fittings equals that of the plastic type and are only slightly more expensive than premium plastic connectors.

The twin manifold (shown right) is handy for running a hosepipe down the garden and also leaving a short length for filling cans, or washing the car..

When buying brass connectors be aware that they come in 2 sizes, 1/2 and 3/4 inch so check your hosepipe diameter.

I recommend buying brass fittings from  reliable long term manufacturers such as CK, Rehau and Draper. This way you can add to your system without compatibility problems.

 see the widest range of brass garden watering fittings

buy a 2 branch copper manifold

buy a 4 branch copper hose tap manifold

OOPS The Front Fell off my Water Timer

Naaah not really! This ingenious device has a removable front for easy programming. No more bending down to fiddle with the controls. You can set it from the comfort of your deckchair.

For details on this battery powered water timer E-mail me at fred@fredshed.com

 buy a simple Hozelock water timer

This new micro-drip system has metal clips that enable you to quickly and easily pull the tubes apart to replace or move drippers. Hozelock also make very similar watering systems which are cheaper and more widely available . The Hozeleock version does not have the quick release clips which is ok if your system will not need changing much, fitting adjustable nozzles will also help.

For watering system tips- e-mail fred@fredshed.com

click here to buy complete automatic watering kits from a Fredshed recommended supplier

My new watering system is powered by the sun- strange but true and due to my Gardena "profi solar"  water timer.  This superb gadget is easily programmed and the programming module pulls on  and off so that you don't have to bend down to the tap.

This top of the range water computer costs about £80 but  has all the functions  including manual override and can be connected to a rain or soil moisture sensor.

One important thing to remember when using automatic watering systems and timers is that as the plants grow the watering requirements will change.

The easiest way to combat this is to adjust the timer but some plants may need individual attention so try to fit adjustable drippers to these areas so you can adjust the flow to one plant without effecting all the others.

Coiled hoses save space and time as they stretch quickly to 50ft and then spring back to virtually nothing. As with most good inventions there are many cheap copies about being sold by unscrupulous people.

I have sourced a good quality one from a UK based supplier I have worked with for years and who is known for reliable value for money garden products.

A superb little spray gun is included and the fittings are all compatible with Hozelock and Gardena.

 best priced 20m recoil hose and spraygun

 Still can't find the tool you are looking for?
 

For free expert advice - on buying tools, (on and off-line) mail me at
fred@fredshed.com 

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