As I have shared many times over the years, I believe in having the tools you use every day be beautiful from dish brushes and bars of soap to brooms and scissors to pencils and grocery bags. Functional items can, in most cases, also be lovely, aesthetically pleasing, and a delight to use. They don’t have to be made of brightly-colored plastic that you want to hide in your cabinets. Even the humblest of sponges or a pair of gardening clogs can be something you enjoy having in plain view. For years, I have been using a plastic water bottle or whatever else I could find on hand to water my houseplants. I finally decided to treat myself to a beautiful watering can that I wouldn’t mind sitting out on the counter or the shelf by the kitchen door. After looking around at my options and thinking about it, I purchased THIS ONE by Haws from Terrain. I was even able to catch it on sale!
It’s a perfectly sized 1L watering can with a brass detachable rose head made of unvarnished copper. I was slightly nervous ordering this set because the reviews on Terrain were less than glowing, but after receiving my set, I’m convinced the people who left negative reviews about marks on the copper are unfamiliar with raw copper. If you’re someone who likes their copper and brass smudge and tarnish-free, then this set isn’t for you. I am not one of those people, though, and I love that the finish will age over time.
It really is a show-stopping watering can and I have enjoyed using it around the house and for the potted plants on the back porch. Having nice tools not only makes a job more enjoyable, but it makes you remember to do that chore! You can’t wait for your plants to look dry so you can take your pretty copper watering can for a spin.
I’ve never owned any gardening tools by Haws, but I’m very happy with this purchase. I already have a couple of nice outdoor watering cans or I would consider putting one of those on my Christmas list.
Some of my house plants are on the small side, so I like that the rose head is removable and I can just water with the spout.
I wasn’t sure how much I would use the mister, but just like the watering can, I’ve been finding excuses to give plants a spritz.
So, as you can tell, gardening tools are my new art supplies at the moment! Any recommendations for gardening tools you’ve loved and used for years? Or perhaps recent purchases? I do plan to share a round-up of some of my favorites that are recent purchases or old favorites for those who are interested. (If you share a link to a product, I’ll have to approve your post so it won’t show up immediately.)
Felco pruners are absolutely worth the investment. They’re quite expensive (to me) but they’re so sturdy and sharp. The build makes it easy to care for them and they should last literally my whole life. They were my birthday gift last year. I like the holster I got with them too…I thought it was silly but ended up loving it. So so convenient!
My other favorite garden too (which is not aesthetic is the least!) is my Kobalt kneeling mat. I found it in the plumbing section at Lowes. It’s oversized (compared to traditional garden kneeling mats), very thick and of a sturdy foam. I can drop straight onto my knees with that thing with no ill-effects. I do think it’s kinda ugly, but given the blue Kobalt color I can always find where I left it in the garden!
Thanks, Jen W. , for the info on garden mat. I am going to look it up. My mat is old and needs replacing.
Love the copper gardening items. I saw the 2 fabulous marble flower pots, will you be linking those at a later date? Love them.
I’ve seen marble pots at Pottery Barn. They are lovely.
Marian, I love that idea of using pretty things that are functional. Whenever I see a picture of your kitchen sink I always admire your soap dispenser, and wonder where to get one? As for my own pretty/functional fave, I was tired of using those throw-away Swiffer dusters, and then remembered that my Mom had a duster made of sheep’s wool. I found one on Amazon with a wood handle and a leather loop at the end for hanging. So much fun to use and I am not throwing stuff into the landfill.
Just a reminder, those gorgeous cans should be stored inside when the bad weather starts. Mine froze and the bottom isn’t made for frost. It leaked and came off. What was such a pity.
Wow, that’s a hugely important piece of information!
Beautiful! That was my Christmas gift from my daughters!!
Felco pruners are definitely worth the cost. They will seem expensive in comparison but you can replace all the parts, particularly convenient for the blades. I like that there are many sizes for different sized hands. Ours are still going after 30 years and I have bought many for family members and friends as gifts.
I love how copper ages and Haws has been with us a long time.
I have had some beautiful gardening tools through the years, but unfortunately, I managed to “plant” several of them in my gardens, never to be seen again. Since I’ve lived in twenty homes over my lifetime, I’m just hoping the new owners found them.
Purchased the Sophie Conran garden scoop from William Sonoma. Best garden tool ever. I, too, have used old tools. This one is so pretty and functions beautifully. Well thought out.
That copper set is yummy! And will only get better with age. My go-to tools at the moment, are a good set of bypass pruners, a small hand saw, small hand trowel/spade with serrated edges, good for digging roots out and an auto shut off spray hose head with a variety of spray patterns. (required by law in my county to save water.) Also, we have micro-irrigated every planting bed around our house, they are easy to install, even for a novice, simple DIY, and all you need is an outdoor spigot, a “gang” spigot hose bib and one of the battery operated timers. They have starter sets that come in as little as 50 feet. There are misting heads, drip heads and sprays. In areas that have water restrictions (like ours) the micro systems aren’t restricted. They water efficiently, applying water only where needed with little waste. Plus you can use different spray heads in the the same line. Great for plants that don’t like overhead watering besides being eco friendly. No more standing around watering with a hose! The timers come on and shut off automatically for any day of the week, multiple days. Set it and forget it (almost). 🙂
I absolutely love my hori hori knife and stainless steel spade shovel from Lee Valley Canada. They ship worldwide and with the usd to Cdn dollar being in your favour they will be quite inexpensive. Two tools I wouldn’t be willing to give up unless I moved into an apartment.
I’m looking for a beautiful watering can. I will definitely look into Haws.
You must take a look at the Detroit Garden Works website!!!!!!!! You won’t be disappointed! 🙂
Oh yes, that is a fantastic resource! Even if you can’t afford it, you will enjoy the inspiration!
My number one garden tool is a Hori Hori knife with a rosewood handle. Have had forever. It is so useful for digging, planting and especially weeding. I rarely use a trowel for digging as the Hori Hori is so much better. A few years back I found a copper watering can with similar construction to yours at an antique mall. It isn’t as big but already had the most beautiful patina. Have to make a couple trips to the sink for my larger plants but worth it,
Hi! I highly recommend the BBC program available on Prime and Britbox called Gardeners World. It is wonderful, beautiful anazing and gentle. It’s also very British which I love and you seem to also. It is VERY practical, not full of chichi designers, although there us that too. It is hosted by an extraordinary gardener named Monty Don whose whole style is kindness, helpfulness and practicality. I also recommend an American woman owned online company simply called Garden Tool Company. They carry MANY brands, but my fave and also the fave of Monty Don is a Dutch brand called Sneeboer and Zn. They are SO well made and they gleam like Grandmother’s sterling. I have ordered several of their hand tools as well as a spade and rake. I have asked questions and the owner herself has answered. The tools arrive in sturdy boxes and I’ve never had a problem. They were also featured in the New York Times. Good Luck!
I too love my Felco pruners and they are definitely worth the money. I also got a “foam kneeler” with handles which make it much easier to get up from kneeling plus you can flip it over for a stool! So worth it!
Follow Garden Answer videos and you’ll get the answers to lots of garden issues. They are great and knowledgeable.
Yep, best videos ever, and gorgeous gardens in the works! Laura is a great teacher!
I am curious as to what type of planter you are growing the herbs in? They look like they are made of marble and are pretty.
Two things I love for the garden are my hori hori garden knife and the Root Slayer shovel. These are both amazing tools for planting, especially when you are working in areas of the garden with a lot of roots.
I am an avid, lifelong, hardcore organic gardener, and I have several favorite tools that have been used by me since my earliest days. I call my large digging shovel “Old Faithful” as he has dug almost every hole I have ever needed over many decades.
I do want to put in a word for the occasional inexpensive dollar store tools as well! I have had some for many decades that have held up just fine even in rigorous use. I have recently been using some really well made cast aluminum ones (I’m testing them to see how they measure up to my older ones) and they are absolutely fabulous despite their very low price! They look good, feel good, and appear to have the ability to last a long time just like the higher priced ones. Just to say that there are sometimes gems hiding in the most unlikely places!
My kneeling mat is from the dollar tree, and it works great! It has a handle that doubles as a hanging loop. I hang mine between the dryer and the wall, over a pushpin.
So glad I came back to the comments for this one after a few days! My birthday is coming up and I think there will be more than a couple of garden tools on that list!