You Grow Girlâ„¢

Matt White is a young industrial design engineer with a big idea. His product is so sensible that when I first saw it briefly reviewed in a popular British gardening magazine, I couldn't believe it hadn't been made already. He has challenged the traditional, age old watering can design by inventing and designing a prototype that is stylish, contemporary, easy to use and practical. The device is basically a handle and pour-spout that attaches to 5-litre mineral water bottles. Currently Matt's product, simply called The Watering Canister, is patented and design registered, but Matt is still on the look out for investors and manufacturers. If interested you can contact Matt at mat_white@hotmail.com

YGG: A bit about your background. Are you an industrial designer? If not, what is your background?

I graduated about 5 months ago from the Industrial Design Engineering course at the Royal College of Art in Kensington. The course is for engineering graduates who wish to integrate their engineering skills with design. I did a degree in Mechanical engineering immediately before at Birmingham University. You can call me an industrial Design Engineer (I say my skills are Invention design engineering).

YGG: What inspired you to design this watering can?

It started as an ergonomics project in my first (of the two year course) year at the RCA. Most design students choose to work on projects which they use, I wanted to see if I could enjoy designing something I never used, or rarely did. I knew the watering can was very difficult to use, and as I don't garden much (yet as I'm 23 and am only in the process of buying a house here in Haywards Heath),I knew that I would have few preconceptions which often spoil the design process.

YGG: What is it about the device that makes it unique?

It is a cartridge system. It uses new or used 5-litre plastic bottles as the water container. You fill one or a few up, then carry it/them to the garden (they all come with simple handles) then attach the device to turn them into pour-able watering devices. It's easy to fill, carry, store, mix fertilizer, etc with the simple bottles and the ergonomic handle shape allows easy pouring.

YGG: Describe the device and how it works?

The bottles store the water, the device is used to help undo and store the bottle top and then the device screws on the neck of the bottle creating the watering device. This allows many watering 'cans' with many bottles but with only one of my products.

YGG: Does it provide a solution for gardeners, environmental concerns, or something else?

Both and more. It is the replacement for the existing watering can, the design of which has changed little for over two hundred years.

The design is easier for all users especially in filling in sinks and for carrying, as the bottles have no cumbersome handles and spouts. The ability to have many bottles means that you can carry two at a time and balance the load etc. And you don't need to worry about sloshing the water, which doesn't actually happen much as the bottles are so upright when being carried, because the cap can be put on (especially good when filling indoors). Pouring is simple because the handle is one curved piece allowing nearly effortless pouring and very comfortable two-hand grip. The wrists are required to rotate far less than on current cans and therefore have an easier time of it.

The design uses existing bottles, but they must have the same neck (the same screw thread) and 5-litre bottles have the same neck for different manufacturers like Buxton and Callodonean mineral waters. Environmentally this is good because you don't waste the already manufactured items- far better than recycling, which uses a lot of energy.

Financially, if you want one watering can one bottle is used, but if you want more than one just get or find a bottle for far less cost than an extra watering can is.

YGG: Does the watering can have a name?

The Watering Canister, at the moment - any snazzier suggestions??

YGG: Have you invented any other garden products? any other products?

Yes, an adaptation of the watering canister which turns table water bottles into water jugs, a replacement for the warm air hand dryer and a CD holder you stick on the wall to display individual CDs (it looks like a little bloke) and a few other things too.

YGG: Are you a gardener? If so where do you garden (rural, urban etc.)

I'm sure you've guessed no. But the house my fiancée and I are buying has a lovely garden and a greenhouse! I look forward to getting me fingers dirty.