Cascading Solar Watering Can Light

An iron watering can tips forward on a shepherd's-crook holder, and what pours from the spout is a fall of warm white LEDs threaded on fine copper wire. The whole piece stands 80cm from the ground, which is roughly border height, so the cascade lands among low planting rather than floating above it. Both the can and the stake holder are included, and the feature is sold singly.

Charging happens quietly during the day through the solar panel; a 600mAh NiMH cell stores it, and around eight hours of good daylight returns somewhere between six and twelve hours of light, depending on the season and how bright the day has been. The lights come on automatically at dusk, and there is also a manual switch on the can if you would rather keep the feature dark on a given evening. Construction is weatherproof, so it can stay out.

Siting deserves a moment's thought. The stake is pointed, so push it into ground well away from paths, doorways and anywhere children play. The copper wire strand is fine and delicate rather than robust, and it is not a toy, so keep it out of reach of children and pets. Because the battery is built into the unit, the whole thing should go to a recycling point that accepts batteries at the end of its life instead of into a household bin.

• 80cm overall height; iron watering can with shepherd's-crook stake holder included
• Warm white LEDs on fine copper wire, arranged as a pour of light from the spout
• Solar charged; 600mAh NiMH cell, about 8 hours of charge for 6-12 hours of light
• Automatic dusk switch-on plus a manual switch on the can
• Weatherproof construction; sold as a single feature
• WARNING: the stake is pointed - site it away from paths and play areas
• WARNING: fine wire lights are not a toy; keep out of reach of children and pets
• Contains a built-in battery: recycle at a suitable collection point at end of life