This is the worst time of day to water your vegetable garden

Here’s when to water your vegetable plants instead.

Vegetable gardens need lots of water to produce abundant harvests, especially as summer cranks up the heat. Just as important as how much water you give your plants is when you water them. It makes a surprising difference. If you’re not an early bird, you may need to set your alarm to make sure your plants are getting watered at the right time of day. Getting around to it during midday or waiting until after dinner could mean your plants’ health will suffer. Watering at the wrong time could mean your plants are not getting enough water and increases the risk of your plants developing fungal diseases. Here’s the worst time to water your vegetable garden and when to do it instead for better harvests.

When Not To Water Your Vegetable Garden

Don’t water your garden from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or in the evening. We know that doesn’t leave a lot of options, but watering in midday when the sun is hottest means much of the moisture will evaporate from the surface and never make it to the plants’ roots. Wind can also speed up evaporation. Then you’re just wasting water and money, and your plants will suffer. 

Watering in the evening increases the chances of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blight developing on your plants if moisture remains on the leaves overnight. If you have to choose between midday and evening watering, though, evening is better. Just make sure you don’t get the foliage wet. Use a soaker hose or watering can to direct moisture to the roots without risking wet foliage and fungal diseases.

When Is The Best Time To Water Your Vegetable Garden?

Since the timeframe for when not to water includes a good part of the day, when is a good time to water your vegetable garden? Mornings between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. are best because the temperatures are cooler, there’s less wind, and the water has time to reach the roots before it evaporates. Watering during this time prepares plants for the hot day ahead and helps keep them from getting stressed, and any foliage that gets wet will have a chance to dry out in the afternoon sun. 

Tips For Watering A Vegetable Garden

• Gardens don’t need daily watering. Instead, give them 1 to 2 inches of water through one to three deep waterings throughout the week to encourage roots to grow deep into the soil for protection from high temperatures. 
• If you don’t often remember to water until late in the day or it’s hard to fit into your schedule, use a timer so the water will automatically turn on and off. 
• Using a drip hose or soaker hose to ensure water goes directly to the root zone. It keeps foliage dry and prevents water waste.
• Avoid vegetable garden watering mistakes like overwatering or underwatering that can result in decreased yields or fungal diseases. Check the soil’s moisture before watering, and water only when the top 1 or 2 inches of soil are dry.
• The type of soil you have can affect how often your garden needs watering. Clay soil holds moisture longer than sandy or loamy soils and doesn’t need watering as frequently. Checking the moisture before watering can help.
• Rainfall can replace one of your weekly waterings, depending on how much has fallen. Use a rain gauge to determine how much has actually fallen and whether you need to supplement. 

Read the original article on Southern Living