How to Choose the Best Time to Water the Garden

The best time of day to water the garden is in the morning, because then the water on the plants will have time to dry before nightfall. Standing water on plants overnight can lead to mold. Watering the garden at the right time and in the right way is the way to keep plants healthy.

Table of Contents

Choose the right time of day

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Water in the morning if possible. This is the best time to water the garden because it is in accordance with the natural growth cycle of the plant. Trees are ready to absorb water in the morning, when the sun is just up but not too high in the sky. During the rest of the day, the plant can absorb water before the sun heats up. Plants that are provided with enough water will be able to withstand intense heat. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you water at midday or later when the sun is already very hot, water droplets on the plant can actually burn the plant. Water hit by the sun will overheat the delicate branches and damage the tree.
Try to water your garden before 10 a.m. to give the water enough time to soak into the soil and dry out a bit before the sun is hot. You’ll be wasting water by watering in the afternoon, as most of the water will evaporate before seeping into the soil.

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Water in the late afternoon if morning is not convenient. It’s not always convenient to water your garden in the morning, when you have a million things to do. If you miss a morning watering your plants, wait until late afternoon, when the sun is no longer hot, and then water. That way the tree won’t get burned and there’s still time to let the water dry out a bit before nightfall. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If you have to wait until the afternoon, you should try to water from 4pm onwards, because before this time the sun is still hot enough to burn the plants.
If you absolutely must water when the sun is still bright, you should try to limit it, don’t make it a daily habit.

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Do not water the garden at night. When you water your garden at night, the water will stay on the leaves and branches without evaporating. Soil can become waterlogged instead of draining with the help of the sun. This will be detrimental to the tree as it can cause mold to grow around the roots, branches and leaves.

Only water the plant at night when there is no other way, if the plant is very “thirst” for water and you can’t wait until morning.
If you have to water your plants at night, water the soil so the plants don’t get wet, and water less to avoid waterlogging. A drip irrigation line or permeable hose will make watering easier.

Apply the right method

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Water the garden at the right frequency. The general rule when watering the garden is to water 2.5 cm of water every week. However, some plants need more or less water than this. The best solution is to find out the water needs of the plants you grow and monitor the health status of the plants. ^{[3] X Research Source} If plants are yellowing, they may need more water.

Another test that works is to poke your finger into the soil a few centimeters deep. If you find that the soil is completely dry, it may be time to water. If the soil below the surface is still damp, wait a little longer before watering.
Use your brain to decide how often to water your plants. For example, if it’s been raining all week, the plants won’t need that much water. If it is in a dry period, the plant will need more watering.

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Water near the roots, not the leaves. The root system is responsible for absorbing water to nourish the plant; Water that falls on the leaves will just fall to the ground or evaporate. When watering your garden, point a hose, watering can, or shower head at the plant, near the roots, to make sure it’s getting enough water.

Plants can be damaged if you water them and wet the leaves. Standing water on leaves can cause mold to appear or heat up the plant.
If you find it difficult to target the roots when using a hose, you can look for a special irrigation system that can water close to the soil, such as a permeable sprinkler or a drip irrigation system.

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Long and deep watering. Most plants are at their healthiest when their roots go deep into the soil instead of spreading out near the ground. For deep watering, you should water thoroughly so that the water reaches each root tip and creates conditions for root growth.

This explains why the most effective irrigation method is to water sparingly, but it must penetrate deep into the soil. Instead of watering a little each day, choose one or two days a week to water deeply and deeply.
As such, you should spend a full 30 seconds or more watering each area instead of just spraying the entire garden quickly.

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Check for signs of over-watering. Plants that are watered too much are just as likely to die as if they are watered too little. You need to remember to water at the right frequency and not to water too much, and watch for signs that your garden may be waterlogged:

Leaf tips turn yellow or brown
The foliage is thin and thin
There are signs of rotting

Advice

Choose the most suitable irrigation device for the garden area. If your garden is large and needs to be watered every day, perhaps you should install sprinklers and automatic timers.

Steps

Choose the right time of day

Apply the right method

Advice

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