Gardening guru reveals the time of day to water your plants so they thrive – and it’s NOT at the end of the day
IT doesn’t matter how well you look after your garden if your plants are being watered at the wrong time of day.
It turns out there’s a right and wrong time to get the job done, and it’s not when you might think.
Gardening expert Kate Turner from Miracle-Gro told Express.co.uk that gardeners should get up early to give their thirsty plants some water.
She said: “It’s obviously a lot cooler in the early hours of the day, so the water has more of a chance to work its magic, without being evaporated by the heat of the day.
“This ensures the water gets down to the roots, helping the plant stay hydrated.”
That said, although morning is best when it comes to watering plants, it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t fit in with your schedule.
You can also water them in the evening can work too, but only if you really need to.
According to the pros at Southern Living Plants: “At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.”
Just make sure you don’t overwater, as there will be no sun to dry off the excess as quickly.
The only time of day you should definitely avoid is the middle, since it’s too hot.
“If you water in the afternoon, especially during summer, the heat and sun are at their peak and the plant’s water will evaporate instead of absorbing into the soil and roots,” they continued.
If you’re unsure how often to water you plants, a good way to check by gently sticking your finger into the soil to feel if it’s dry below the surface.
You can also keep a wooden stick in your plant and remove it before watering to check it’s not already moist.
If you want to get really fancy you can also install a sprinkler irrigation system to your garden to make sure your garden gets a good amount of water even when you’re not home.
Rather than little and often, you should aim to water your plants less often, but ensure they’re fully soaked each time.
This will help the roots develop properly and prevent them from rotting, according to the pros.