Yes, watering your garden at night can help your plants survive the heat, but only if you do it the right way. “Whether nighttime watering is beneficial or harmful depends
largely on your climate, nighttime humidity, and how you irrigate,” explains expert Kate Schneider, owner of Savannah-based Ibis Coastal Landscapes.
“You’ve probably heard the old gardening rule: Never water at night,” she says. Yep, we have. “That advice exists because prolonged leaf wetness in cool, humid conditions can encourage fungal diseases, mold, and rot.” However, she says this isn’t a hard-and-fast gardening rule. Schneider sees many people watering in the afternoon. “Every time I see it, I cringe,” she tells us. “Unless a plant is severely dehydrated and in danger of shutting down its photosynthetic processes, watering during the hottest part of the day is generally unnecessary and inefficient.”
Her recommendation is to water deeply between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., applying enough water to moisten the soil at least 6 inches deep or, for containers, until water drains from the bottom of the
pot.
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But if you do water at night, consider these tips.
Treat New Plants With Care
“Watering at night can be a lifesaver for newly planted trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as container plants, during periods of extreme heat or drought,” Schneider shares. This is because during their first year, new plants are establishing their root systems. “During hot weather, both may need to be watered twice a day: once in the early morning and again in the evening.”
Consider the Plants You’re Growing
Nighttime watering doesn’t help with photosynthesis, but it replaces lost moisture and aids overnight recovery. However, humidity is important to consider. If your region is humid at night (look for morning dew or check local humidity), watering after sunset can increase disease risk.
“In regions where nighttime humidity stays high, it’s generally best to avoid watering after sunset whenever possible,” Schneider recommends. But if you’re in a drier climate, she says there’s less risk. “For example, in North Texas, although summer days are very hot, humidity often drops overnight, allowing foliage to dry more quickly. In these conditions, evening watering is often perfectly acceptable, especially during prolonged heat waves.”
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If you must water at night in humid conditions, Schneider explains that a few simple practices can greatly reduce disease risk:
Water the soil, not the leaves. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are ideal because they keep foliage dry.
Apply mulch to reduce soil splash, which can spread disease-causing organisms onto leaves.
Provide good plant spacing and air circulation so foliage dries as quickly as possible.
Consider Your Location’s Humidity
Some plants need extra attention when it comes to watering, especially if you live in a humid area. “Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, strawberries, hostas, roses, peonies, and peach trees are all more susceptible to fungal diseases and benefit from careful watering practices, particularly in humid environments,” she urges. Be mindful of any plant that has dense foliage or is prone to mildew or leaf spot. These will benefit from watering at the base and keeping leaves as dry as possible.
Schneider says the bottom line is that there is no universal rule against nighttime watering. “Instead, match your watering practices to your local conditions,” she advises. “Climate, humidity, air circulation, soil type, irrigation method, and plant selection all influence disease risk. Understanding those factors will lead to
healthier plants than simply following a one-size-fits-all gardening rule.”
Read the original article on Southern Living
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