Garden Makeover: Be Proud to Carry the Can

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I would never have thought that watering cans would become chic, let alone eco-chic…but that’s what’s happening.

Invented in England in the 17th Century (a mystery: why invent artificial watering in a place where it rains all the time?), the traditional watering can is functional, unadorned and slightly eco-belligerent, containing lead or non-renewable plastic. Ripe for a makeover, in fact.

If you already own one of these old-school cans and feel embarassed to be waving it around the garden, how about a new lick of paint? Even better, use cut-outs from a newspaper or a gardening catalogue  – Deep Fried Kudzu have a great tutorial. It’s also a great way to make use of some of that colorful junk mail slipping through your door every day (I’m inspired by Junk Mail Gems here).

But if you’re considering starting afresh, have a look at our sponsor VivaTerra’s Misprint Watering Cans – they’re in a colorful and very fashionable pop-culture design, and since no two are the same, there’s no chance of an embarrassing "carrying the same can" faux pas with the neighbours.

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Mike Sowden

Mike Sowden is a freelance writer based in the north of England, obsessed with travel, storytelling and terrifyingly strong coffee. He has written for online & offline publications including Mashable, Matador Network and the San Francisco Chronicle, and his work has been linked to by Lonely Planet, World Hum and Lifehacker. If all the world is a stage, he keeps tripping over scenery & getting tangled in the curtain - but he's just fine with that.