Timing is important when it comes to watering plants, especially at this time of year
There is an ideal time to water the plants(Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
Gardeners might not realise that there is an optimal time to water plants, especially during periods of hot weather. Timing is crucial for several reasons, with the most apparent being to prevent evaporation so that plants can absorb the moisture before it’s lost to the warm air.
Choosing the right time of day to water your garden can also help stave off diseases and reduce stress on your plants. While there are other fundamental guidelines, such as avoiding watering from above and using specific types of water for certain plants, the overarching principle remains that there is a prime time for watering outdoor plants to ensure maximum benefit.
The gardening experts at Blooming Expert suggest that late afternoon or very early evening – between four and 6pm, when there’s still light and warmth – is the “best time” to water garden plants.
They point out that hydrating plants in the early evening is “better than letting them suffer irreversible damage until the next morning”.
In hot conditions, soil can dry out rapidly, and plants may desperately need moisture to survive, reports the Express. Even overnight surface moisture can evaporate due to residual heat.
For those who water their plants in the late evening, it’s crucial to focus more on the root zone rather than the leaves, as damp leaves can lead to disease.
On the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page, gardeners shared their views on the optimal time to water plants, with most favouring the evening.
You need to think carefully about when you water your plants(Image: Getty)
Shannon R-Lease said: “I do evenings. When the sun sets over the house. Between five and 5:30pm.”
Margaret Collinsworth wrote: “I like to water in the evenings. It gives the plants overnight to drink.”
Shane Paul said: “I do my plants in the evening, but lawn sprinklers are set to go off at 6am for 30 minutes. Shouldn’t leave a lawn damp overnight on purpose (obvs can’t help if it rained), can lead to more disease growth, and middle of the day, it just evaporates and can’t soak into the ground.”
Jack Pockl added: “Water in the evening – the plant and soil retain more moisture. Watering in the morning or afternoon allows the water to evaporate, so less water is held in the soil for the roots.”
The amount of water a plant requires will vary based on its location, type, the soil, and other factors.
For example, most plants receive adequate water from spring rains and only need additional watering during dry spells.
However, they may require substantial watering during the summer, depending on the temperatures.