BEST TIME TO WATER PLANTS

Water is the elixir of life. Like humans, plants also need water to grow and thrive. Different people have different opinions on when and how to water plants, but the most appropriate time to water plants is early morning or late evening.

These times are considered optimal because the sun is at its lowest during this period and water reaches the roots without evaporating.

Listed below are the various reasons for watering plants in the early morning or late afternoon:

Watering the plants in the morning:

1. To promote the natural growth cycle of the plants in your garden, water them in the morning without fail.
2. At this time of day, plants are ready to absorb ample amount of water, and good hydration helps them to last all day.
3. It is advisable to water before 10 am as it helps a lot in seeping water into the garden.

Watering the plants in the (late) afternoon:

1. Watering in the middle of the day is definitely not a good idea, especially when the skies are clear and the sun is at its peak in the afternoon. Watering during hot hours will adversely affect plant growth.  Read about how to water succulents . 
2. If you choose to water your plants later in the day, water them in the afternoon when the sun isn't at its peak. This will help the plants absorb water before nightfall and will not hinder their growth in any way. During this, water does not evaporate due to watering.
3. You can always water your plants in the evening during the summer season. Many  container  grown, sun-loving vegetables and outdoor flowering shrubs need to be watered twice a day (morning and evening) in the Indian summer, especially during the months of April and May. You   might like to try the watering containers yourself .

Take care to dry the leaves before nightfall as wet leaves are an open invitation for fungus.  Read about natural anti-fungal remedies .

Let's discover the golden rules of watering plants efficiently:

• keep plants evenly moist
• Do not water with little water again and again. It is always better to water rarely and that too thoroughly.
• Since wet leaves are an open invitation for disease to appear, keep the leaves dry.
• Providing suitable water is of prime importance. Make sure that the water reaches the roots.
• Remember that water seeps into the ground slowly and slowly. Therefore, supply large amounts of water in intervals.
• Always water around the plant and distribute it throughout the area.
• Drip or sprinkler irrigation  is a great way to water plants. You can use an automatic irrigation system embedded with moisture sensors – on the bed, balcony or lawn.
• Waterlogging will disrupt the roots and damage them. So avoid filling water.
• Use quality, loamy soil with an appropriate amount of sand and clay.
• Use proper watering equipment like watering can, hose, spray etc.

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Remember that careful watering saves time, money, plants and most importantly water!

Happy Gardening!