Gardening Basics

Best Time to Water Plants: When Should You Water Your Precious Plants?

Last Update :July 20, 2024

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Water is the elixir of life and much like human beings, plants need water to grow and thrive. Different people have different opinions on when and how to water the plants, but there have been a lot of experiments and studies conducted that were focused on trying to identify the right time for watering plants. A lot of them have found that the best time to water plants is either early in the morning morning or late in the evening.

These timings are considered optimum because during this period the sun is at its lowest and the water reaches the roots without getting evaporated.

• When is the Best Time to Water your Garden?

Now, of course a lot of us believe that we cannot start doing something differently just because someone told us to. There has to be some logic behind their advice and it has to make sense to us. So, putting it more logically, here's why the best time to give water to plants is during early mornings and late evenings:

1. Watering Plants in the Morning

To boost the natural growth cycle of the plants in your garden, water them in the morning without fail.

a. At this time of the day, plants are ready to absorb ample water, and good hydration helps them withstand all situations throughout the day.

b. Watering before 10 am is apt because it helps the water seep into the garden substantially. After that time, when the sun is at its peak, the water that you pour into your plants might just evaporate before reaching their roots. So, watering practically becomes useless if the water is not reaching the roots of the plant.

2. Watering Plants in the (Late) Afternoon

best time to water plants in the late afternoon

a. Watering in the middle of the day is definitely not a good idea, especially when the sky is clear and the sun is right at its peak in the afternoon. Watering in hot hours will have an adverse effect on the growth of plants.

b. If you choose to water your plants later in the day, water them in the late afternoon when the sun is not at its peak. This will help the plants absorb water before the nightfall and will not hamper their growth in any way. Watering during this time avoids the evaporation of water.

c. In the summer season, you can always water your plants in the evening. Many container-grown, sun-loving vegetables and outdoor potted flowering shrubs need to be watered twice a day (Morning and evening) in Indian summer, particularly during the months of April and May.

Keep in mind that you must let the leaves of your plant dry before the night takes over as wet leaves are an open invitation to fungus.

• Golden rules for watering the plants efficiently

watering plants with drip irrigation system

Keep the plants evenly moist
Do not water often with little water. It is always better to water seldom and that too thoroughly.
As the wet leaves are an open invitation to disease manifestation, keep the leaves of your plant dry.
Suitable watering is of prime importance. See to it that the water reaches the roots.
Remember that the water seeps into the ground slowly and gradually. Hence, supply a large quantity of water in intervals.
Always water around the plant and distribute it in the entire area.
Drip or sprinkler irrigation is an excellent way of watering plants. You can use an automatic irrigation system embedded with a moisture sensor – on the bed, on the balcony, or on the lawn.
Waterlogging will hamper the roots and damage them. Hence avoid water clogging.
Use good quality, loamy soil with the appropriate amount of sand and clay.
Use proper watering instruments like a watering can, hose, spray, etc.