Watering plants: Should it be before dawn or after dusk? Experts favor one choice for several crucial reasons...
In the summer months, plants in direct sunlight may require watering every now and then to keep them thriving. However, the time of day you water your garden can significantly impact the health of your plants.
Experts recommend watering plants in the early morning, ideally between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., as this allows the water to soak deeply into the soil while temperatures are cooler, reducing evaporation and ensuring roots absorb moisture effectively. This practice also helps prevent fungal diseases such as mildew and leaf spot that can develop when leaves stay wet overnight.
Watering at night can be safe if done properly—specifically, watering directly at the base of plants with drip irrigation or soaker hoses and finishing well before nightfall to avoid leaving foliage wet during humid nights. However, watering at night risks promoting foliar diseases if water remains on leaves and the soil stays damp for prolonged periods in warm, humid conditions.
Watering during the middle of the day is generally discouraged due to high heat causing rapid evaporation, wasting water and potentially scorching plant leaves if water droplets act like magnifying glasses in sunlight.
In summary, watering early in the morning is the best practice for most garden plants to optimise water use and plant health. Here's a quick guide:
| Time to Water | Pros | Cons | |---------------------|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Early Morning (5–9am) | Cooler temps, less evaporation, roots absorb well, leaves dry out reducing disease risk | Usually best option, very few cons. | | Evening (Before Night) | Less evaporation than day, can be safe with proper technique | Risk of fungal diseases if leaves wet at night and humidity high | | Midday | Generally discouraged due to evaporation and leaf scorch risk | - |
Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, recommends avoiding watering plants at night to prevent slug and snail damage. Watering plants in the early evening, around 7 p.m., allows water to soak deep into the roots.
Evaporation is a key factor to consider when watering plants during the day, which is why experts usually suggest watering at night or in the morning. The smart piece of tech can control a sprinkler or irrigation system via an app or Siri, making it easier to water your garden in the morning without extra hassle.
It is best to inspect the plants in your garden every evening and decide whether they need watering based on their condition and the soil around them. Watering plants at night may attract slugs and snails, which can damage plants. Watering plants during the day in hot summer spells risks the sun immediately evaporating the water. It is better to wait until the sun isn't high in the sky to water plants.
Watering in the morning ensures less water wastage and helps plants cope with the stress of hot sun. Watering in the morning also avoids overwatering plants in the summer and prevents problems that come with overwatering. Watering in the morning reduces the risk of fungal diseases developing in soggy soil overnight.
In conclusion, by following these tips, you can help ensure your garden plants stay healthy and thrive throughout the summer months.
In order to maintain a healthy garden and optimize water use, it's advisable to follow a watering schedule as suggested by experts. Watering in the early morning, ideally between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., is the best practice due to less evaporation, deeper soil absorption, and reduced disease risk (lifestyle). Additionally, when gardening, consider incorporating early morning watering into your home-and-garden routines with the help of smart sprinkler or irrigation systems (home-and-garden).
