Your watering can/container can be your best friend! Whether wetting down newly planted seeds or giving a drink to your fully grown plants, choosing and using the “right” one can be key to a beautiful garden.
First off, a metal watering can, when properly cared for, is better than a plastic one that is prone to cracks (especially as you go from direct sunlight to the cooler days of fall). Also, make sure it comes with what’s called a rose on the end of the spout. It looks like a large salt shaker. It needs to be removable. Use the rose attachment when watering newly planted seeds, but remove it to water those mature plants.
If you use this same container for liquid fertilizer, be sure to rinse it out completely when you’re done so it doesn’t rust the metal of the container. This goes for both organic or non-organic fertilizers. It’s best to store your watering can inside, but if you do leave it outside, possibly next to your hose spigot, then be sure to lay it on its side. This avoids rainwater getting into it and being a mosquito magnet or causing rust to develop in the standing water at the bottom.
One last thought. Why not have two watering cans! One gallon of water weighs about eight pounds (not light by any means), but by carrying two of them their weight is balances across your body. Fewer trips to the garden, fewer aches from a lopsided approach when carrying just one.