We get asked this all the time.
The best time is early morning before the temperatures rise, allowing the water enough time to run down into the soil and reach the roots, without the risk of evaporation.
Keep in mind that not all plants need to be watered daily. Some plants are very thirsty, while others are more tolerant. Choose a watering frequency for each plant in your garden based on its individual needs.
You can also top any flower beds with bark or peat-free compost to help hold the moisture in.
If you can’t water first thing on the morning, the next best option is late afternoon when plants are out of direct sunlight but try not leave it too late in the day either, as the plants may not have much time to dry before nightfall, sometimes this can be detrimental as it encourages fungi and bacteria, slugs and snails, sow bugs, earwigs, and other pests into your garden.
Check the weather – If it’s warm and breezy you can water in the early evening, as this will give your plants plenty of time to dry out.
If there’s been rain, you may think that you don’t have to water the plants, however, the best time to water is after it’s rained, when the soil is softened and more receptive to a good soaking from the hose.
Extra water after a downpour tops up the rainfall, so it can penetrate further down into the soil. This is a great way to build up moisture around plant roots.
However, don’t worry if you can only get out at midday to do the watering, any water is better than none, and when people say you can damage your flowers by watering in the sun by burning them, is just a myth, flowers can get sunburnt but it’s by the sun and not the reflection of the water droplets. But as we explained before, its not the most efficient way to do it.
Container plants – especially those in smaller pots, fabric pots, clay pots, and baskets are more susceptible to drying out than in-ground plants. These little friends may need watering every day or up to three times a day, especially in the height of summer. Water when the first 2 inches of potting soil feels dry. The smaller or more porous your container, the more you’ll have to water it.
If you think that your garden plants aren’t getting enough water, check the soil beforehand. When your plant is dehydrated, you may notice the leaves starting to look darker than before. Simply add a splash of water to help them thrive.
We hope this gives you a good idea when its best to water your plants and have a beautiful garden in the summer months.