How to get a good spray from your watering can

It's all to do with keeping up the pressure – especially when using an oval-shaped rose with the perforated brass plate facing upwards.

Used correctly in this manner the oval rose will give a fine gentle spray, which is perfect for seedlings.

As you begin to spray, gradually increase the angle of the can to the surface being watered so that sufficient water pressure is maintained to force water out of the fine holes in the brass spray plate. If there is not enough pressure, water begins to run across the brass face instead of being sprayed out from it. Gradually this results in water streaming off the end of the rose, giving the impression that the rose is leaking.

Good watering cans – like Haws – are provided with a tall neck to prevent water spilling out when the can is held at a steep angle.

A good tip when watering precious seedlings is to 'get a good spray going' before moving in to spray the seedlings – and to withdraw from spraying as soon as the spray starts to fail – which will happen as the can begins to empty. Top up the can and restart.

For heavier spaying over a more limited area, the oval rose may be fitted to the can with the perforated brass face pointing towards the ground.

If your rose appears not to be working properly follow this checklist.

• First be sure whether the fault lies with the rose or the can. Do this by checking that the can pours properly without the rose fitted. If the can does not pour properly you will probably find that the spout is blocked – possibly with leaves or even a snail! Hold the can up to the light and look down the spout to check that it is clear. If it isn't use a cane, knitting needle or similar to clear the blockage.
• Assuming the can is okay the fault must lie with the rose – here again there may be a leaf or other material inside it causing a blockage. If so, remove by flushing water into the rose through the brass face ideally under pressure from a tap or hose. You can check whether the holes are clear by looking into the rose from its spout. Another option is blasting through the brass holes with an airline at your local garage.
• If this doesn't solve the problem decide whether the holes are generally blocked – either by green algae build-up or by limescale. If it is algae build-up, soak the rose in a mild solution of bleach – being careful to remove all traces of bleach before it is used again. If it is limescale soak in a biodegradable kettle descaler.

If your rose still won't work properly it's probably time to buy a new one! Haws produce many varieties of replacement roses for all of our watering cans. Alternatively our Fine As Rain roses are produced to fit most other brands of watering can.