Watering tools & equipment buying guide

Hose pipes

For a variety of watering tasks, with a range of accessories for specific jobs

A hose pipe is an easy way to water your garden and provides the basis for a variety of watering accessories.

Firstly, consider the length of hose you need. Choose a length that will ensure that the hose will stretch to the corners of your garden, but without having too much excess to get in the way. We offer hoses in lengths from 10 metres (m) to 50m.

Hose reels

For tangle-free storage of hoses

A hose reel is suitable for storing traditional hoses. It ensures that your hosepipe is stored away tidily without getting knotted up or kinked.

We offer four types:

• Wall-mounted manual reel – a reel that is attached to the external wall. Pull the length of hose needed out from the reel and wind it back in afterwards using the rotating handle.

Hose wands & lances

For watering plants at height or in hard to reach places

A hose wand or lance is a long pole with a spray head at the end, which is attached to the hose. This makes it easy to water hard to reach places, such as hanging baskets.

Choose from a fixed length or a telescopic pole. On both types, the head can rotate up to 180 degrees for full flexibility, making it easier to water in awkward places.

Sprinklers

For automated watering of large areas of lawn or plants

A sprinkler is the ideal hose attachment to water the lawn and keep it looking lush and green. It’s also suitable for watering plants and seedlings that require a lot of moisture. What’s more, it provides entertainment for the kids on a hot day!

We offer three types of sprinkler – rectangular, multi-pattern and round.

• Rectangular – a long and thin sprinkler that waters in a rectangular shape
• Multi-pattern – with different spraying patterns. Choose the best pattern to suit the size and shape of the area you need watering.
• Round – rotates up to 360 degrees, to water the lawn or plants in a circular shape.

We offer sprinklers that sit on the grass as well as spike sprinklers that go into the ground. Our spike sprinklers are either round or multi-pattern sprinklers.

Irrigation systems

For watering plants, particularly young plants and seedlings

We offer two irrigation systems - all-in-one kits or individual items.

An irrigation kit is an all-in-one watering system to cover a large area of plants at once. It consists of drip lines and droppers that will each gradually saturate the soil around an individual plant or small group of plants. This makes it ideal for watering seedlings and young plants, or pot plants. And it comes with connectors so you can build a system that’s tailored to your needs. You control where the hoses are directed and where the watering components are placed.

The kit will save you time and ensure that your plants are always well-watered, particularly in hot weather. It’s also perfect for when you go on holiday, just hook up the kit to a timer (see ‘You might need’) and it will water the plants at the times that you set.

Alternatively, we offer individual irrigation items such as drippers and flow control valves.

Drippers are attached to the relevant size hose and drop water onto small plants and seedlings. They're ideal for hanging baskets, troughs, grow bags, greenhouses and vegetable gardens.

Flow control valves regulate the flow of water from a hose and control the direction of water if you have multiple hoses in your watering system.

For a guide on how an irrigation system works, head over to our helpful article.

Watering timers

For setting the watering tool to operate for a specific period of time

A timer is a device that allows you to automate the times that your garden is watered. It is attached to an outdoor tap and then the hose is attached to the timer. There are two types available – a mechanical timer and an electronic timer. The mechanical timer is set by rotating the dial to select the watering duration. The electronic timer has a screen and buttons to set the timings. You can choose from several pre-set watering frequencies, and it also has a clear indicator to show the battery status.

An electronic timer is a useful piece of equipment if you are going on holiday, to keep your plants thriving whilst you are away. You can set your watering tools, including sprinklers and irrigation kits, to water your plants at set times.

Water butts

For storing rainwater

The key component to watering is obviously water, and you need to get this from somewhere. Save money on your water bills by installing a water butt in your garden. This large bin is connected to your guttering to collect rainwater. They’re ideally placed next to garden structures like a shed or summerhouse. What’s more, plants are usually healthier when watered with rainwater as opposed to tap water. This is because rainwater is free from hard water elements and is the correct pH for most plants. The water from the butt can be used to fill a watering can or a sprayer.

Make full use of your water butt by adding a pump. This adds the pressure needed to pump the water from the water butt to a sprinkler or irrigation system. This will ensure your garden is as water-efficient as it can be, with no need for tap water.

We also stock any other accessories you may need for your water butt, such as connectors, taps and stands. For help with setting up your water butt, check out our how to article.

Outdoor taps

To supply tap water to your outdoor space

Get easy access to water in your garden with an outdoor tap. This provides tap water whenever you need it. Our taps are made from brass, making them rust-resistant and long-lasting. Choose from a traditional garden tap with a screw handle or a ¼ turn tap, which has a simple lever that you rotate 90 degrees to operate the tap.

Garden storage

Whichever watering tools you choose, you’ll need somewhere to store them. We have a variety of garden storage options, from small garden boxes to large sheds. Explore our range to find your perfect storage solution.