Watering your plants at the wrong time could be doing more harm than good. Experts reveal that evening, not morning, is the best time to water your garden in summer — and how much water your plants actually need.
Best time of day to water your plants to avoid killing them – and it’s not the morning(Image: Getty)
Watering is a fundamental part of keeping your plants healthy and flourishing. Every plant undeniably needs water to survive, and we simply cannot rely on the Irish weather to do all the hard work. Tending to plants during hot spells can be both demanding and tiring, yet there are clever ways to make your watering routine more effective during these sweltering periods.
Choosing the right time of day to water and ensuring the correct amount is given are two vital choices that can mean the difference between thriving plants and wilting ones during a heatwave. Midday, early morning, late afternoon, or the cool of the evening — there are countless theories surrounding the ideal time to water your garden, and with Ireland currently in the grip of a heatwave, getting it right really does matter.
Plant food experts at Phostrogen reveal that every plant is made up of 80% water, and since water can only be absorbed through the roots, proper watering technique is absolutely critical.
So, what is the best time to get out the watering can? Phostrogen advises: “In spring and autumn, water early in the morning, but in the summer, it can be best to wait until the evening that 5pm to 7pm as watering during full sun can burn the plants.”
Watering in the evening also significantly reduces the risk of evaporation, meaning your plants will truly benefit from every drop they receive. The idea that watering in the early evening is problematic only holds true if you drench the foliage and leave your garden sodden throughout a muggy night, reports the Express.
However, if you’re applying water slowly and directly at the plant’s base, steering clear of the leaves, and wrapping up well before darkness falls, then you’re certainly not breaking any gardening rules.
Linda Ly, who operates the gardening blog Garden Betty, maintains that the optimal window for watering your garden during summer is between 5am and 9am, though she suggests that 5pm to 8pm comes in as a close second.
While timing matters significantly, the amount of water applied is equally important, and despite plants needing additional moisture in hot conditions, restraint is definitely key during the hottest periods.
Henry Bartlam, founder of Dig, advised against giving “plants a daily light sprinkling of water”.
Rather, it’s “better to give them a good soak every couple of days (especially in warmer weather) than a quick splash every day”.
He noted that there’s no exact formula for this, but if the soil appears nicely moist and doesn’t dry out rapidly, “you’ve probably done a good job”.
Nevertheless, he warned: “Be careful not to overwater and saturate the soil, though – not only could this eventually damage the plants, but it also wastes valuable water.”
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