We lug the water for our roof garden up from our second floor apartment to the fifth floor roof. So we’ve been hunting for a watering can that was balanced, sturdy, and … yeah we wanted something beautiful too.
When we couldn’t find a galvanized metal watering can at any of the local hardware stores, we just went with a green plastic watering can from Home Depot (about $4). It gets the job done, but it isn’t balanced or elegant. And the water pours out unevenly and too much water drips to roof and never hits the plants.
Enter John Haw who solved the problem back in 1885 with his “Improved Watering Pot.”
This is the BMW of watering cans, but a worthy treat, especially since they are made in Smethwick, West Midlands in the UK, about 15 mines from where R* comes from. The Haws can is totally balanced and the removable brass “watering rose” can be turned to prevent drips as we go up and down the stairs.
I chose this Haws V122 Slimcan in fade-resistant Titanium for R*. The slimmer size makes it easier to store. But the Biriths racing green round can is the Haws classic.
Here’s a detailed guide for selecting the Haws watering can that’s right for your roof garden. I couldn’t find a local store selling Haws. Let me know if you find one in NYC.
Happy Birthday, R*! Now a few more days without rain and we’ll get a chance to test drive our Haws.
Images: Haws
Brooklyn Roof Garden 
Posted by Mitch on June 6, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i cant wait to see your roofgarden and show you ours. you can see last years on my facebook page. this year we rebuilt the deck some and painted everything white. it’s a hot mess.
Posted by Judith on March 19, 2010 at 5:13 pm
We are making a roof garden here in La Palma in the Canary Islands, and I have been looking for inspiring stories.We had a tiny back yard in London in which nothing flourished, and find that here you can practically see the plants growing! Thank you for sharing your experiences, as roof top gardening seems so different . We have a windy and sunny roof with amazing views to the mountains Just one thought re having to take the watering can up and down all those floors. Can you not keep the hose connected to the garden, and just refill your watering can upstairs? We have some very nice plants which suffered while we were away during the summer, as it gets very hot here,so we are seriously considering making a cactus garden! Good luck with your venture. Judith