Gardener Simon Akeroyd has shared the best time of day to water your plants this summer – as he warns people against acting out of a habit that could be harming their plants
A gardener has shared when you shouldn’t be watering your plants (stock image)(Image: Getty)
A keen gardener has revealed a crucial error many make while watering their plants, attributing the issue to incorrect timing. Simon Akeroyd, known on social media as @simonkeroydgardener, took to TikTok to advise on the optimal time to water plants during the summer months. He strongly advises against watering at midday, as it could prove futile.
He explained: “Because the water evaporates before plants have time to take it down to their roots.” Although watering in the evening allows plants to absorb water overnight, it also invites slugs, which can damage your garden. Instead, he recommends: “So, the best time to water plants is early in the morning as the plants absorb the water best and slugs tend to avoid hot, dry weather and direct sun.”
He also suggests watering directly around the roots and avoiding the leaves to prevent disease. Followers have expressed gratitude for his advice, with one commenting on his video: “Really appreciate this tip! I’m just recovering my plants from a slug attack. Now I know where I went wrong.”
Another added: “Right, I am doing that. thank you! could you give us some more help regarding slugs? This year’s spring was so warm thanks to climate change that the slugs in Iceland are bigger and more than ever before.”
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A third user commented: “I am so new to this and really struggling but am enjoying it. I really want to make it an enjoyable hobby. Should you water young plants/ fruit/veg twice a day or is that to much.”
Another user contributed: “Nice one, Simon. I’m up at 5am in this weather, plants are getting watered around 6am.”
Supporting this approach, the RHS states: “Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water.
“The foliage and soil surface is also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases.
“Plants start to transpire in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and out through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata.
“Evening watering is also fine, as the cooler conditions mean less water is lost to evaporation.”
The organisation advises against watering during the hottest part of the day, as significant amounts of water are lost through evaporation from the soil surface, and plants utilise water more effectively when watered during cooler periods.