Hand-watering

When Florida's water management districts limit watering with sprinklers, hand-watering is usually still allowed. Hand-watering means using a watering can, pail, or even a hose, as long as a shut-off nozzle is attached.

It's an efficient technique for irrigating potted plants, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and flower beds. It uses a lot less water than sprinklers because a minimal amount is lost to evaporation and wind drift.

Just make sure you don't overwater—plants often need less than people think. Wait until they begin to wilt before watering them; before that, they probably don't need it.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Ten Ways to Save Water

UF/IFAS Publications

• Landscape Elements for a Florida-Friendly Yard

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• FFL Principle 2: Water Efficiently
• Irrigating Container Gardens

Other Sites

• The Best Watering Cans--Real Simple
• Capillary Mats Labor-saving, Economical Alternative To Hand Watering--Science Daily
• Easy-Pour, the Feature-filled Watering Can--Wired.com's Gadget Lab
• Irrigation System vs. Hand-watering--Washington Post
• Paul James' Favorite Garden and Lawn Watering Cans--HGTV
• Q&A: Watering Newly Planted Plants--Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Watering to Establish Your New Plants--Seattle (WA) Public Utilities (PDF)