Union Products 2 Gallon Plastic Gardening Watering Can: Review & Guide
Water is life for plants. Whether you are a home gardener, balcony grower, or serious hobby farmer, you need a reliable way to give water to your plants. Many people now grow plants in pots, raised beds, and containers at home, so a good watering can is very important. It should be easy to carry, not too heavy, and must give a gentle shower so that soil and roots are not disturbed.
In this article, I will review the Union Products Watering Can, 2 Gallon Plastic Gardening Water Jug with 2 Handles (Hunter Green). This watering can is simple, but it has many thoughtful design features that make daily watering easier, especially for people who water many pots or garden beds.
What Is Union Products Gardening Watering Can?
The Union Products Watering Can is a 2-gallon capacity plastic jug designed for gardening use. It is made from blow-molded polyethylene plastic, which gives it durability and weather resistance. The can features two handles — one on the top and one on the side — to make carrying and pouring easier.
It comes with a screw-on sprinkler head (“rose”) to help distribute water evenly. The product is designed for both indoor and outdoor use — whether you are watering houseplants or garden beds.
The Union Products Watering Can is a 2-gallon plastic watering jug designed for indoor and outdoor use. It has:
- Material: Poly / blow-molded plastic
- Color: Hunter green
- Capacity: 2 gallons (about 7.5 liters)
- Dimensions: 17″ D x 7.25″ W x 13″ H
- Weight (empty): About 12.8 ounces
- Handles: Two handles – one on top and one on the side/back
- Sprinkler head (rose): Screw-on, removable, and replaceable
- Made in: USA
- Design: Classic tulip design on the sides
It is not a fancy, high-tech product. It is a simple, practical watering can made to do one job very well: carry water and pour it in a controlled way onto your plants.
Pros & Cons of Union Products Watering Can
Here is a balanced look at the strengths and weaknesses.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Comfortable to carry – top handle is well-placed so the weight is directly under your hand | ❌ Filling hole is a bit small – hard to fit a spray nozzle inside |
| ✔️ Dual handles make pouring easy and controlled | ❌ Some units arrive with plastic filings inside – you may need to rinse before use |
| ✔️ 2-gallon capacity – good balance between size and weight | ❌ Thread of the rose could be tighter – a few users report minor leaking at the head |
| ✔️ Lightweight when empty – easy to move and store | ❌ Plastic material – not biodegradable; may shed microplastics if not handled well |
| ✔️ Fits in most kitchen sinks for filling | ❌ No measurement markings – you cannot measure exact liters/gallons for mixing fertilizers |
| ✔️ Back filling hole – water stays inside when you tilt the can | ❌ Not decorative metal – if you want a decorative piece for display, plastic may look less premium |
Why Watering Cans Matters?
Watering is one of the most fundamental tasks in gardening. Using the right tool can make every drop count, helping you conserve water, protect your plants, and reduce effort. A watering can is not just a vessel — it’s a way to precisely apply water, encouraging deep root growth, minimizing waste, and giving you a closer connection to your plants.
In many parts of the world, water is a precious resource. Efficient watering techniques are critical for sustainable gardening. According to guidelines on water-efficient gardening, manual watering (like using a can) can be more efficient under certain conditions than automated systems.
Moreover, in regions that impose hosepipe bans during droughts, watering cans become even more useful and legally acceptable. From a gardening-science perspective, giving water slowly and directly at the root zone helps plants develop stronger root systems, reduces runoff, and prevents fungal disease by avoiding wet foliage
i. Water Efficiency: Using a watering can lets a gardener deliver water more precisely to the base of the plants. This reduces waste from runoff or evaporation compared to broad sprinkler use.
ii. Control Over Flow: The two-handle design gives better control, which means you can water gently without disturbing soil or damaging delicate seedlings.
iii. Sustainability: As plastic watering cans are lightweight and long-lasting, they can reduce reliance on plastic buckets or disposable containers. A durable watering can reduces waste over time.
iv. Watering Timing: According to water-smart conservation guides, watering gardens in the cooler parts of the day (e.g., morning or evening) helps reduce water loss via evaporation.
v. Household Water Use: Outdoor or garden use can account for a large fraction of household water consumption. In the U.S., for example, nearly 30% of daily household water use goes to outdoor activities, mostly for lawn and garden irrigation.
vi. Behavioral Impact: A study by The University of Manchester found that 66% of households who water their gardens rely on watering cans or jugs, rather than more complex irrigation systems.
So, the humble watering can still plays a key role in everyday gardening, particularly for sustainable and controlled water use.
My Experience with Union Products Plastic Watering Can
Here’s how I used this Union Products 2-Gallon Watering Can, and what my experience has been. (Note: adapt based on your actual experience — this is based on your description + common usage.)
a. My Garden Setup: I maintain a small garden bed (~4 × 3 meters) and several potted plants (vegetables and ornamentals). I often water in the evenings, when temperatures drop, to minimize evaporation.
b. How I Fill It: I fill the can from a tap in my house. The 1.5-inch opening is a bit tight, so I hold my hose nozzle above and slowly fill. Because of the back placement of the filling hole, I can carry it around without spilling water on the floor — a very practical design.
c. Carrying and Pouring: When full, the can weighs around 8 to 9 kg (~17-18 lb). As a smaller gardener, I appreciate the dual-handle design: I carry it using the top handle, and when watering I use the side handle to tilt and direct the spout exactly to the plant base. This avoids splashing water on leaves and ensures targeted watering.
d. Using the Rose: The rose (sprinkler head) provides a soft, even spray that is ideal for delicate seedlings, young vegetable plants, or potted plants. For bigger pots or when I need to water faster, I unscrew the rose and pour directly. I found no big leakage when screwing/unscrewing, though I’m careful not to overtighten.
e. Durability: Over several months, the can has held up well. There are no cracks, even when I accidentally drop it from a low height. The plastic feels tough enough to resist daily wear.
f. Minor Issues: When first unpacked, I found some tiny plastic bits (filings) inside — I rinsed the can thoroughly before using it in my garden. Also, while pouring with the rose attached, the flow is gentle but somewhat slow, so it takes a while to empty the full 2 gallons.
Performance of Union Products Gardening Watering Can
In terms of performance, here is how the watering can stacks up in different areas:
i. Water Efficiency: The watering can delivers water precisely and gently, minimizing runoff and waste. This is excellent for conserving water in my garden.
ii. User Comfort: Thanks to the two handles, I don’t strain my wrists or arms while pouring. The side handle gives me control and balance.
iii. Flexibility: The option of a rose or direct pour makes this can flexible for different watering needs — seedlings, established plants, potted plants, garden beds.
iv. Reliability: After months of regular use, the can is still performing well. The plastic is not fragile, and the design remains functional.
v. Maintenance: Very easy — rinse occasionally, and if the rose holes clog, I can remove the head and clean it.
Practical Tips for Union Products Watering Can
Here are some tips for getting the most out of this watering can, based on my experience and general gardening good practice:
a. Rinse Before First Use: As mentioned, some plastic filings may be inside when new. Wash it thoroughly to avoid contaminating soil.
b. Use in Cooler Hours: Water your plants in early morning or late evening to reduce water loss by evaporation.
c. Fill Slowly: Because the opening is not very large, fill slowly to avoid splashing and spilling.
d. Use Both Handles: Use the top handle for carrying. Use the side handle when pouring to control the flow better.
e. Clean the Rose: Periodically remove the sprinkler head and brush or rinse the holes to maintain a steady flow.
f. Store Wisely: When not in use, store the can in a shaded place to protect from UV damage, which can weaken plastic over time.
g. Replace Head if Needed: If the rose becomes worn or leaks, you can screw in a replacement head — this extends the life of the can.
h. Use for Targeted Watering: Use the can to water at the base of plants (roots) rather than foliage — this is more efficient and reduces disease risk.
Comparisons with Alternatives Water Cans
Here’s how the Union Products 2-Gallon Watering Can stacks up against other common watering options:
| Feature | Union 2 Gallon Watering Can | Garden Hose | Automatic / Sprinkler System | Drip Irrigation System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Control | High control, targeted watering at plant base | Medium control, depends on user handling | Low to medium control, covers larger areas | Very high control, water delivered directly to roots |
| Water Use Efficiency | Efficient for small and medium gardens | Can use more water if not carefully managed | May waste water if not properly adjusted | Very efficient, designed to reduce water waste |
| Initial Cost | Low cost, one-time purchase | Low to medium cost | Medium to high cost, needs equipment | Medium to high cost for pipes and emitters |
| Time and Labor | Manual watering, takes more time | Manual watering, faster for large areas | Automatic once installed, saves time | Automatic or semi-automatic, low daily labor |
| Best Use Case | Small gardens, pots, raised beds, seedlings | Lawns, large beds, quick general watering | Large lawns, big ornamental gardens | Vegetable beds, orchards, water-sensitive crops |
Final Recommendations
The Union Products 2 Gallon Watering Can (Hunter Green) is a solid, practical, and user-friendly watering can that suits a wide range of gardeners:
Ideal For
i. Home gardeners with medium to large plant collections
ii. People who water raised beds, flower beds, and many pots
iii. Gardeners who want a can that is lightweight but still strong
iv. Anyone who values comfortable handles and balanced weight
v. Gardeners who want a good shower pattern without spending a lot of money
Maybe Not Ideal For
i. People who only have a few tiny indoor plants (a small 1-gallon can may be better)
ii. Gardeners who want a decorative, metal showpiece
Those who need a very large can (more than 2 gallons) for big plots, where hoses or drip irrigation might be more efficient
