Stop Watering Your Plants in the Afternoon—Gardeners Recommend This Time Instead

Every avid gardener knows the importance of watering plants and understanding each specific plant’s watering frequency and amount. However, what’s not as obvious is how the time of day impacts your plants.

It might seem like you can break out the hose or watering can at any point, but there is a worst time to water plants that won’t do any favors for your garden. Learn why you should avoid certain times and tips for giving your plants the most from their waterings, straight from a pro.

The Worst Time to Water Plants

The afternoon is the worst time to water your plants because it can lead to poor water absorption.

“The moisture will evaporate really quickly from the heat of the sun, and water won’t have a chance to soak down into the soil where the roots can easily access it,” says gardening expert Annette Hird.

This is particularly true for warmer months when hot sun and weather more heavily impact the health of your plants.

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The Best Time to Water Plants

Water your plants early in the morning to ensure proper water absorption and avoid plant diseases or burn.

“The best time to water plants is in the early morning before the sun has a chance to heat up,” says Hird. “Giving the soil a good soaking at this time will keep your plants hydrated.”

Timing your watering for early mornings keeps plants from drying out; this can result in fungal diseases, according to Hird. If flowers get wet, they can also burn in the sun.

What to Do If You Have to Water in the Afternoon

It’s often better to water by hand in the afternoon, as you can control where the water is going and how much the soil gets; a sprinkler won’t have the same level of accuracy.

“If you need to water in the afternoon, make sure you direct the water flow at the soil and try to avoid getting the leaves of the plants wet,” explains Hird.

Watering in the early evening is another last resort you can lean on. You won’t risk the chance of scorching your plants’ leaves, and the water won’t evaporate instantly.

5 Methods for Watering Plants

Here are a few handy ways to keep your plants happy and hydrated and avoid common watering mistakes.

Water In the Morning

As mentioned, watering in the morning is the best way to ensure your plants get a healthy soaking and dry out enough so diseases don’t develop. Set a reminder to remember early-morning waterings, or set up sprinklers that do it automatically so there’s no chance of forgetting.

Set Up an Irrigation System

This doesn’t have to be anything fancy or convoluted. A DIY watering system can be as simple as punching holes into a plastic bottle and allowing it to slowly filter out, or leaving a hose to slowly drip into the soil. If you enjoy bigger projects, there are kits and blueprints for making more involved irrigation systems, too.

Invest in Automatic Sprinklers

While it’s a little more of an investment up front, automatic sprinklers take the task of watering off your plate. Setting a timer means they get an even, consistent soaking every morning before it gets too warm.

Another affordable alternative is to attach a sprinkler to your hose and turn it on each morning to get the job done.

Use a Soaker Hose

“The best watering methods to use during summer are installing drip irrigation or using soaker hoses,” says Hird. “These installations direct the water down into the soil where it’s needed most.”

A soaker hose slowly drips water into the surrounding soil through small pores in its material. It’s even possible to make your own by piercing holes into a standard garden hose.

Keep an Eye on Rainfall

Rain can absolutely be your friend when it comes to watering plants. It’s a good idea to stay on top of the weather forecast so you don’t overwater plants. You’ll also have an idea of when droughts might be happening or long stretches of time without rain, where watering might need to happen more frequently.