[doubledug]

my neihbours and i tend to water one anothers plots If one of us cant find the time. After using a hose for a couple of years i tried an experiment with a blue barrel. I put the hose in the barrel, which is placed in the most convenient place rather than where the tap happens to be and left it running while i filled a two gallon watering can from it. If you add together the time saved filling the can from the tap and the fact that you can empty the can quicker than you can get the water out of the hose I reckon it is at least twice as quick as using a hose, and if you so desire you can add liquid feed to the barrel. 

[zazen999]

Even  quicker - just water seedlings and mulch everything. Keep things nice and damp underneath.

[doubledug]

yep i have been experimenting with mulching too but only a few days, fortunately i have laid grass paths so lots of mulching material handy although i know people who mulch with weeds. I just liked the idea of time trials on the watering, bit sad huh

[diggerjoe]

sad but I worked out the fastest way to water the garden at home and it was to fill one watering can then get the tap running at the right flow and put anotgyhert can undernerath than by the time I came back after emptying the first can another was ready - quicker than messing about and standiong with a hose.