We Asked Gardening Pros If You Should Water Your Garden in Peak Sun, and They All Said the Same Thing

Key Points

Watering during peak sun hours won’t allow water to reach plant roots.

Instead, you should water in the early mornings or later evenings to avoid the heat of the day.

Make watering part of your daily routine and water into the soil instead of the plant leaves.

Plants are finicky, and it can be hard to read their body language at times. They often shy away from peak heat in the middle of the day, but does this mean they want water then?

We checked with garden experts on whether or not you should be watering your garden plants in peak sun.

Meet the Experts

Morris Hankinson is a garden expert and the managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.

Ali Lijee is a garden expert and the founder of TreeMend.

Should You Water Your Garden During Peak Sun Hours? Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images

Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images

The answer is mostly no, don’t water in peak sun. Generally, you should avoid watering between 10am and 4pm.

“The water is more likely to evaporate before the roots are able to absorb what they need,” Morris Hankinson, a garden expert and the managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, says.

This a common watering mistake he often sees, and a waste of water and time—it can even potentially stress your plants by introducing sudden temperature changes.

However, if you have a plant seriously struggling in the heat of the sun and are unable to water in the evening or early morning, then go ahead and water deeply into the soil beneath the plant.

“Better to help a struggling plant than find it hard to revive later,” Hankinson says.

The Best Time to Water Your Garden Credit: Jurgute / Getty Images

Credit: Jurgute / Getty Images

Early morning is generally the best time to water your garden.

“Generally, before 9am is ideal, allowing time for the soil to absorb the water before the sun is strong,” says Ali Lijee, a garden expert and the founder of TreeMend.

Midmorning is also acceptable in the cooler times of the year because the potential for water evaporation will be less of a problem.

Watering in the evening is generally best during summer and on warmer days. This allows plants time to absorb the water and nutrients from the soil after the heat of the day has passed.

However, Hankinson warns that if you have slugs and want to get rid of them, you should water in the morning. They may be more active in the evening, and will appreciate the moisture.

5 Tips for Watering Your Garden in the Summer Credit: Valeriy_G / Getty Images

Credit: Valeriy_G / Getty Images

Gardening pros detail the best tips for watering your garden in the summer, so your plants and lawn stay happy and healthy.

Make Watering Part of Your Routine

One way to integrate watering the garden into your mornings is to set up a daily routine. Wake up 15 minutes earlier than you normally do, Hankinson says, and make a cup of tea to enjoy while watering the garden in the morning.

Having simple pleasures such as this will make rising early to water feel like less of a chore.

Don’t Water Every Day

This is a great way to use less water in your garden, and it’s especially true if you live in an area experiencing summer water shortages. There’s just no need to water every day, even if the lawn begins to brown.

“Grass has an amazing ability to soon green up again when it rains,” Hankinson says.

Instead of watering the lawn, prioritize watering your garden and other plants that may need more water in dry, hot weather.

Water Into the Soil

Do not water over the top of plants. It’s the roots that need water, so doing this deeply rather than a sprinkle of water every day will keep your plants healthy.

Watering at the soil level will help avoid excessive leaf wetness, which Lijee says can create a greater risk of disease.

Wipe Away Water on Plant Leaves

Make sure your plant’s leaves don’t have massive amounts of water left behind on them.

“Water droplets sitting on leaves can also act like tiny magnifying glasses and scorch the plant,” Lijee says.

Therefore, you would not only be wasting water but also damaging your plant’s leaves in the process.

Add Mulch

Finally, consider adding mulch to your garden, which will help to retain the moisture for your plants between waterings. For the most success, Lijee recommends using a soaker hose or watering wand and refreshing mulch often.

Read the original article on The Spruce