Carry on Gardening : Tools : Watering

The techniques you use will depend on the size and style of your garden, but generally speaking the more severe your disability, the more likely you are to need and benefit from the higher tech solutions.

Watering cans
Plastic is lighter than metal, has smoother edges and is therefore less likely to bruise your legs. Narrow-profile rectangular watering cans may be held closer to the body than round ones, allowing better posture and causing less strain. Try carrying two smaller watering cans, instead of one big one, to distribute the weight more evenly. Fit an outside tap, and/or raised waterbutt connected to the drainpipe, to save on trips into the house.

Conservatory size Controllable flow can

The Pinpoint is a lightweight, well balanced plastic can that has a button on the rear handle to control the flow of water. This reduces the amount of tipping required and hence reduces arm strain. The filling hole also has a sliding cover to prevent water spilling out or insects and foreign bodies getting in. The long narrow spout is ideal for reaching into pots or prickly plants All 3 features make this can very controllable for accurate watering.

Model: Pinpoint
Capacity: 1.3 Litres
Price : £9.99
Supplier: NuCan Ltd

Especially good for people who have arthritis, people who use one arm and people with poor co-ordination, also people who use a wheelchair and those with upper limb weakness. Ideal watering can for Children

Controllable flow can
The Nucan is a lightweight, narrow profile plastic can that has a button on the rear handle to control the flow of water. This reduces the amount of tipping required and hence reduces arm strain. Slimline cans are more suitable for people with back problems as they can be held closer to your body. Although the Nucan is quite large it can be used more easily by people with one arm*, due to the button control.

* recommend not filling the Nucan to it's capacity for one armed use.

Slimline lightweight small can
The Starcan comes in 2 sizes but the smaller 5 litre version is particularly useful for users with reduced strength or mobility. It is a high quality,well balanced slimline can with 2 handles that can be held close to your body or is small enough to be carried on a lap trap by a wheelchair user.

Especially good for people who have arthritis, people who use one arm , also people who use a wheelchair and those with upper limb weakness.

Especially good for people who have arthritis, people who use one arm , also people who use a wheelchair and those with upper limb weakness.

Auto-rewind hose reel
This hose reel rewinds automatically at a flick of a switch. A latch on the side of the reel locks the hose at any length up to a maximum of 18m when it is in use. When the latch is released the hose will rewind itself onto the reel. Your hosepipe is kept safely inside its container and is mounted on a wall bracket.

Especially good for people who use one arm, people who use a wheelchair and people with upper limb weakness.

Sprinkler hose
Perforated to allow water to sprinkle out along its length, this flat hose can be used upside down to water into the soil. More suitable for long straight borders since it is not very flexible.

Soaker hose
This black porous plastic hose is very flexible and more suitable for curving around borders, and individual plants. Several lengths can be connected but the output will vary with your water pressure. To prevent the end cap from being forced off by too much water pressure the tap can be turned down to reduce the flow. You can bury the pipe below mulch for better moisture retention.

Wall mounted hose reel guides
For use with normal hosepipes this guide prevents your hosepipe snagging on corners. A flat wall and lawn and flower bed versions also available.

Rainstick Watering Device
The Rainstick is a syphonic device for sucking up water from a barrel, bucket or pond so that it can be used to water hanging baskets and high level planters. Whilst a spray lance and hosepipe might be easier to handle for most people there are occasions and locations where this device may be preferable. It can be half filled or less for easier use. A large open barrel connected to a drainpipe makes a useful reservoir of plant friendly rainwater and the ideal partner for the Rainstick.

Length	32cm
Capacity	1 litre
Weight	1.48kg full
Supplier	Tynemount Ltd
Price	£19.99

Coiled Expanding Hose Pipe
To save time and effort getting out, and putting away your hosepipe this
compact expandable hose is ideal for smaller gardens and patios.
The lightweight hose extends to 15 metres and comes complete with an easy to use spray gun that also works as a handheld mister.The connectors are compatible with all the top makes and other spray guns. Also two hoses can
be joined together for extra length. The diameter of the pipe is smaller than a normal hose so watering times may take a little longer in some instances.

Length	15m
Price	£34.50
Supplier	Ronaash Ltd
Model no	Flexi-Garden Hose

Especially good for use with one arm, wheelchair users, people with reduced upper limb strength.

Water connectors
To connect your hose to the tap, sprayguns and other accessories, you will need connectors. These come in a myriad of makes models and materials. Consider the following points. Brass is more durable than plastic, has as many options but is harder to handle and less kind to your skin. You can usually mix and match from different suppliers, even some brass and plastic. The most useful connectors are the waterstops which fit to the end of the hose and enable you to connect accessories without going back to the tap and turning it off. Greasing the connectors occasionally with a little Vaseline will help to make connections easier. Look for connectors with large easy-to-grip tightening parts. Cheap plastic connectors may go brittle and snap if exposed to frost and sunlight.

Gardena UK Ltd - originators of the plastic connector system, 'Super Grip' versions are best.

General purpose sprayguns
This gun has a large finger-operated trigger and lock, flow control on the rear, and spray profile adjustment on the rose.

Watering lances
A spray gun on a stick, for those hard-to-reach places. Consider whether you need a trigger grip or twist on/off.

Extendable watering lance
This watering lance is telescopic with a rose on the end. It has an easy-to-use on/off switch and is very lightweight.

Especially good for people who cannot climb, people who use one arm, people who use a wheelchair and people with upper limb weakness.

Hanging basket spray lance
This spray lance has a finger-operated trigger and can accurately reach into hanging baskets.

Especially good for people who cannot climb, people who use one arm, people who use a wheelchair and people with upper limb weakness.

Hose end feeders
These are spray guns with a plastic bottle attached, to dispense liquid chemicals for feeding plants and lawns. This model has two dials on the side to control the flow of the water and the concentration of the mixture from the bottle. This hose end device can be used for fertilisers and even detergents for cleaning cars and patios.

Automated watering systems
If you have a large thirsty garden and have mobility problems then an automated watering system could be a solution. Whilst this may initially be costly, there may be some payback. If,

Recently newly developed equipment has made watering systems easier for people with mobility impairments to use.

Setting the timer has always been a fiddly job that often involved bending down to a low tap or taking the timer off of the tap completely.

New timers are available with programming modules that pull on and off for easy adjustment in your home or on a comfortable seat. Another difficult job is taking the tubing apart to reposition the sprinklers and drippers. This job requires a lot of hand strength, manual dexterity and often a sharp knife and cut finger! In 2003 a new system was launched that has quick fit connectors that come apart by simply pressing a clip and a moderate pull on the tubing.

The first place to start with any watering system is with a decent outside tap and preferably a manifold that will enable you to run more than one hose or line of drippers, from your single tap.

Branch water manifold
This plastic manifold can be mounted on a wall near your tap or further away in a more convenient location. Each outlet can be individually controlled.

Water timers
These items can be fiddly and complicated to use. Look for dial type models if you are not so good with buttons and programming computers. Beware that if the weather turns wet your garden may become waterlogged as these simple machines cannot be connected to moisture and rain sensors.

Simple dial type timer
The most simple to use water timer/meter. Set it to water at the same time every day. Watering intervals can be varied as your plants grow. Runs on two batteries, with an easy manual override.

Price range	£35
Supplier	Hozelock Ltd
Model no	Aqua control 1

Water Computer with removable programming module

Water computers use buttons rather than dials and are easy to use if you are the type of person who can cope with a VCR timer in your home. The Gardena range of battery powered water computers are the easiest to set up and use. This is because the front panel that contains the programming module can be pulled off and set in the comfort of your home. There is a huge range of options for watering intervals and times depending on the model you buy. Most of the computers can also be connected to an electronic rain and soil moisture senor that will override, and turn of the system in the event of wet weather.

The computers are powered by one 9volt battery that should last up to a year. There is even one model that contains a small solar panel that recharges the battery in normal daylight.

Price range	£45 - £110
Supplier	Gardena UK Ltd
Model no	C1060 profi solar
	C1060 profi
	C1030 plus
	T14

Suitable for, people who have difficulty bending, use one arm, wheelchair users.

Tubes, drippers and sprayers
The range of options are infinite and will depend on your budget and garden. Tubing made from medical grade plastic will last longer and is more flexible but expensive. Tubing generally comes in 2 sizes with a range of drippers, sprinklers and connectors. If you have a wide range of plants then adjustable drippers are useful. Check your system before leaving unattended. Setting up a system requires a good deal of thought, manual skills and an element of trial and error. Good suppliers will offer extensive literature and telephone help lines.

Micro-Drip System with Quick & Easy connections

As your plants grow, fruit or flower and then die back, or even die completely the amount of water they require will vary. The use of adjustable drippers helps solve this problem but there will be times when you need to take the tubing apart and replace drippers in different places. With most micro-drip systems this can be awkward to do and require good hand skills. The Quick & Easy system has small metal clips that when pressed enable the tubing to be easily pulled away from the dripper or connector.

The system comes is available in 4.6mm and 13mm pipe sizes (½ inch and 3/16 inch), and has an extensive range of drippers sprinklers and sprayers that can be attached using numerous connectors, all with the Quick & Easy clips. Components can be bought separately of in a starter kit containing, water timer, pipes, connectors and drippers.


Model	Quick & Easy starter kit
Price	£70
Suppliers	Gardena UK Ltd

Tubes, drippers and sprayers
The range of options are infinite and will depend on your budget and garden. Tubing made from medical grade plastic will last longer. You can usually identify this type of tube as it is more flexible. Be prepared for a period of trial and error. Professional advice may be required for extensive systems or complicated situations. A safe bet is to use low output drippers set for longer time periods. If you have a wide range of plants then adjustable drippers are useful. Check your system before leaving unattended. Good suppliers will offer extensive literature and telephone help lines.