Most gardeners spend considerable time tending to the water needs of their plants. Especially in Southern California, getting adequate and timely water to the garden is essential.

The climate is changing here in SoCal. There is less rain and like all of California, we are in a drought. Though last year we had plentiful rains in San Diego, a few years before we had less than 3.5 inches. Supplemental irrigation is often needed year-round. To capture the rain we do receive, we have two large rain tanks to capture and store up to 800 gallons of rainwater.

Having the right watering tools to get the job of done saves time and water. How the water is delivered makes a difference too. Recently planted seeds and transplanted seedlings require gentle sprays while established plants can tolerate more vigorous showers.

That’s why I like these two watering tools. The green garden sprayer nozzle has nine settings from jet to shower giving the user flexibility and suiting water delivery to the task. I’ve had several of these over the years and I prefer this design. Control of the spray is easy with one hand moving the bar over the ball. Other models have a screw mechanism that has to be adjusted with two hands, taking more time and effort. The post and screw rust and the mechanism fails.

The model shown above is similar to the Dramm Revolution Hand Watering tool and is available on Amazon. Or find a garden sprayer nozzle that feels comfortable in your hand and has the desired features at a local garden center.

The aluminum fan sprayer in the picture is very gentle and I use it on seedlings, newly seeded beds and delicate flowers. It simulates rain since the holes in the fan are very small. I wave it side to side with a low volume spray for very gentle delivery of water. This fan sprayer belonged to my father and is probably about fifty years old. It stays outside all year but is cast aluminum and built to last. Most of the fan sprayers on the market are plastic though I did find one at Home Depot that is zinc, has a cushioned handle and flow control. And it’s under $10: Gardener’s Choice Gentle Drops Fan Spray with Thumb Control.

I wouldn’t be without a moisture meter. I use it to check soil moisture in my raised beds, potted plants, lawn and perennial beds. Whether to water or how much to irrigate depends on what the moisture meter tells me. I can avoid over- or under-watering my gardens. It’s available online and at garden centers. Tip: if soil is compacted or very dry, make a hole in the ground with a long screwdriver, then insert the moisture meter. This prevents damage to the tip of the meter.

Other watering tools I consider indispensable include a watering can and water timers but those are topics for another time.