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The Charm of Antique Watering Cans
I love antique watering cans. Both functional and charming, they have been in use for hundreds of years to water plants and flowers. Before the watering can we know today, buckets and earthenware watering pots were used. These were cumbersome and often very heavy, especially after being filled with water! We have it pretty easy today with our 100 foot long garden hoses and adjustable spray nozzles. These people would likely call us gardening sissies!
Early French copper watering can. 
Another early French copper watering can with a distinctive blue patina. The humble watering can has undergone many changes. In the late 1600s, watering cans began to be constructed of copper. Then, during the mid-1800s, they were also produced in brass and zinc. Antique French watering cans of yore often resembled large pitchers, often with graceful and elegant handles. American watering cans tended to be larger and bulkier.
Photo courtesy of @lane.end.cottage 
Gardening became extremely popular during the Victorian era. Due to a craze for ornamental gardens and greenhouses, the need grew for better watering cans. In 1886 the Haws Company came to the rescue. This English business revolutionized the humble watering can by creating a longer spout and two handles: one on the top for carrying, and one on the back for tipping and pouring. The Haws watering can remains a classic today.
Photo courtesy of @countryfirsts 
Photo courtesy of @shabbytownusa11 Another addition to watering cans was the use of a detachable sprinkling “rose” on the tip of the spout. It enabled the control of water flow, creating a gentle trickling of water from a multitude of tiny holes, versus a heavy torrent. Its name is derived from the French word “arroseur”, meaning sprinkler.
Photo courtesy of @weatheredwaresandco Galvanized metal watering cans became plentiful in the early 1900s. These are the most common antique watering cans found today.
Photo courtesy of @tinyvintagefarmhouse While early antique watering cans often sell for hundreds of dollars, later models can often be found for a more reasonable price at yard sales, flea markets and online sites such as eBay and Etsy. These may have dings and dents, but that is what adds character!
Photo courtesy of @rachelsgarden_artbyamy Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can create charming vignettes using watering cans. Whether painted, filled with flowers, or hung on hooks, they can add warmth and a one-of-a-kind vibe.
Photo courtesy of @brocante_victoria Some folks like to collect different sizes or styles and group them together.
Photo courtesy of @vintage.216 You can change your watering can decor along with the seasons. Your imagination is the limit!
Photo courtesy of @weatheredwaresandco I hope you enjoyed this post and gained some watering can inspiration! For more information, see Antique Watering Cans, Antiques From The Garden, by Alistair Morris, and Garden Tools by Suaznne Slesin, Guillaume Pellerin, and Stafford Cliff. You may also enjoy some of my other gardening posts, including Have a Seat: Garden Bench Inspiration, Add Charm to your Garden with Beautiful Birdhouses!, and The Secret Gardens of Historic Monterey
Photo courtesy of @thevettelfarm 
Photo courtesy of @toile_de_jute Wishing you peace, love, happiness and beautiful vistas!
Photo courtesy of gosia_kozlowska -
The Garden Gate Story: Inspiration from Carmel-by-the-Sea
Every garden has a story to tell. The beginning of that story is your garden gate entrance. Your garden reflects who you are and what is important to you. Let these gorgeous garden gates in Carmel-by-the-Sea provide inspiration for your own unique and special garden.
Gardens evolve and grow, and with them, your story grows. What glimpse of your life do you want friends and family to have? Your gate sets the tone for the beginning of the story. Your gate lets everyone know the intention of your story. Is your gate inviting? Does it have bright colors or entice with warmth? Is it more private, implying mystery and intrigue? Whatever it is, your story begins with your gate. It should suggest what we may expect to see once we enter your garden.
Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are–Alfred Austin
This rustic hinged wooden gate set into stone is typical of the fairy tale style homes peppered throughout Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint and the soil and sky as canvas–Elizabeth Murray
The use of a small heart cut-out in this garden gate, hollyhocks & roses, give this cottage garden depth & charm.
Always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can–Alice Hoffman, “Practical Magic”
Out of the window, I can see them in the moonlight, two silhouettes saying goodnight by the garden gate–Ray Davies, “Come Dancing”
Framed by a sculpted hedge, this arched gateway leads to a secluded garden.
A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy–Luis Barragan
This open garden gate framed by geraniums conveys a sense of warmth and welcome, inviting guests to enter.
Charming and colorful green and red decor and a hanging bell set this garden gate apart. Note the unique bicycle decor also.
This garden gate is very symbolic of the fairy tale cottage look in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
A simple and classic white garden gate is dressed up with ivy trained to form an x design.
This garden gate is the cat’s meow! Literally.
A beautiful and delicate filigree gate balances the ponderous stone arch. A topping of stacked stone “shingles” adds quaint character.
The boxwood hedges flanking the stone path and the rose covered arch provide elegance and romance to this garden gate.
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom–Marcel Proust
Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace–May Sarton
Your promises, your pleasures, your penchants, are all portrayed in your garden. A garden gate that expresses your sentiments and passions provides a warm and inviting welcome to your garden. I hope that you enjoyed and were inspired by these lovely garden gates from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!