Learn the best time to water plants because when you water matters as much as how much you water.
Theres an art to watering your garden.
Every summer there will be stretches of dry, hot days between rainfalls.
Credit: Andy Lyons
Thats when youll need to provide additional moisture to keep your plants thriving.
When is the best time to water plants?
The best time to water outdoor plants is in the morning when temperatures are usually cooler.
Credit: Jacob Fox
This gives the plants time to absorb the water so they can get through a long, hot day.
The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early in the evening.
Try not to water at night.
Wet leaves aremore susceptible to diseases.
That said, water your plants the moment you notice they look wilted.
A wilted plant equals a stressed plant that needs immediate help.
Go ahead and water them right away, but keep the leaves dry as much as possible.
And try not to let your plants get to the wilting point again.
Repeated wilting can weaken and damage plants, making them less able towithstand heatand pests.
This makes your water go a lot farther becauseit lessens evaporation.
It also helps keep your plants healthier by keeping water away from the leaves.
How much water do plants need?
The rule of thumb for avegetable gardenorraised bedis an inch of water per week.
Thats around 60 gallons of water for every 100 square feet of garden.
Or you might measure the old-fashioned way: take offyour garden glovesand stick your finger into the soil.
If the dirt feels dry two inches below the surface, it’s crucial that you water.
Test Garden Tip:Mulch will slow down evaporation, so your soil will stay moist longer.
Putting a two-inchlayer of mulchon the top of your soil will mean less watering for you.
Must-Know Watering Tips
Many common fungal and bacterial plant diseases spread more quickly in wet conditions.
Dont dump water on the plants from above.
And do not use overhead sprinklers.
Aim for a slow, deep watering, so the moisture has a chance to soak into the soil.
You want the water to penetrate deep into the soil.
Drip irrigation andsoaker hosesare great for watering gardens this way.
A watering wand on a hose can help you put water on the base of the plants, too.
Watering Container Plants
Plants in containersdry out a lot faster than plants in the ground.
During really hot weather, you may need to even water twice a day, especially smaller containers.
Do the finger test to see if the potting mix feels dry two inches down.
If it does, or if you see wilting plants, grab a watering can, stat.
New plants need time to grow more roots that can suck up water from a larger volume of soil.
If any plant looks wilted, give it a deep drink at once.
Tips for Watering Indoor Plants
The rules are different forwatering houseplants.
Manypopular houseplants, such as monstera andphilodendrons, hail from tropical regions where rain comes downs in sheets.
Theyll need regular watering to look good.
For houseplants native to arid regions (thinksnake plantsandsucculents) let the soil dry out between waterings.
Make a habit ofchecking your houseplantsonce a week to see if they need water.
Test Garden Tip:Youre more likely to overwater indoor plants than underwater.
Too much water will drown your plants.
A good rule of thumb is to let the top inch of the soil dry out between waterings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Yes, this is recommended for sensitive plants.
It depends on the plant species and the amount of damage that was done.
Many plants will improve in a week or two if they’re given proper care.
