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General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: nudephil on 02/11/2020 18:24:45

Title: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: nudephil on 02/11/2020 18:24:45
Our latest question of the week comes from listener Kevin:

Does watering my veggie garden in the morning mean that water uptake will coincide with the intake of sunlight, and give my vegetables the best chance? Or is it just as good to water in the evening?
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: alancalverd on 04/11/2020 16:54:29
I was always told to water in the evening, particularly when planting young trees, so that less water evaporates before it is taken up by the roots, and more water penetrates downwards, encouraging the roots to grow down rather than flat and thus providing a more secure anchor. It probably doesn't make much difference in the long term but I think the better anchor improves the chances of a tree reaching maturity without being blown over or root-denuded by erosion.  So on a shorter timescale I guess I'd adopt the same approach for annual crops.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Bored chemist on 04/11/2020 19:47:11
The story I have heard is that you should water them in the evening.

But, I'd check to see when it rains most.
A plant is likely to have evolved to do well under the conditions that actually exist.

Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: alancalverd on 04/11/2020 22:35:39
True enough, but horticulture and agriculture are about persuading plants to yield more than nature intended, in places where they wouldn't normally grow. The alternative is known as natural forest.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Scientist30 on 07/11/2020 17:21:53
My teacher told us that the evening is the best time to water plants. However, I see a lot of people watering their plants in the morning. I think both are totally fine.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: strongernow on 09/11/2020 08:32:47
Our latest question of the week comes from listener Kevin:

Does watering my veggie garden in the morning mean that water uptake will coincide with the intake of sunlight, and give my vegetables the best chance? Or is it just as good to water in the evening?

Me being not a super good talented plant person find out how to water my plants.

In the summer when the temperature gets high quickly you either water early in the morning or late in the evening.
Otherwise the water won't reach the roots and the plant can't use it. So if your plants are exposed to the sun, wait until its gone!
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Adam1k on 10/11/2020 14:56:32
Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: nudephil on 10/11/2020 14:59:53
Answered on the show: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/what-time-should-i-water-my-plants

feat. the RHS' head horticulturist!
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: NakedTruth on 11/11/2020 10:12:12
I am always watering and cutting my plants with the moon calendar and I can tell, that I see the difference in the plant growth. The moon really has a strong influence on every creature in this world, I could'nt believe that in the beginning. So you could look in the calendar and water the plants at that specific time for best results.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Scientist30 on 15/11/2020 11:59:39
Thanks for all the advice! I didnĀ“t think about this before. I will try to water my plants in the evening.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: LaurenaS on 19/01/2021 15:44:36
Watering plants in the morning when the temperature is still cool is seen to be more efficient since the water can be run more to the roots. the hotter the temperature, the more chance it has for the water to evaporates and get lost.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Nina569 on 28/01/2021 16:24:25
Hello, my name is Nina 8)

At first I already apologize for my bad english. I can only speak from experience and would recommend watering the plants in the evening. Your plants will thank you later, believe me.

Funnily enough, I've already tried everything, so I speak from experience.

Greetings Nina :P
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: maria123 on 17/04/2021 18:58:36
Hello people!
Many times I tried to look at different types of flowers, but with most of them I did not succeed. The problem was that I did not have the right approach to their cultivation, they need both light in a certain part of the day and watering in a certain part of the day. However, this depends on what flower you want to grow and how often it needs watering.Therefore, when you decide to grow a certain type of flower, it is better to look on the Internet for how often they should be watered and in what quantity to make sure that you are doing the right thing and you are on the right track.
Greetings
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Darel2021 on 19/04/2021 10:57:49
Hello people!
Many times I tried to look at different types of flowers, but with most of them I did not succeed. The problem was that I did not have the right approach to their cultivation, they need both light in a certain part of the day and watering in a certain part of the day. However, this depends on what flower you want to grow and how often it needs watering.Therefore, when you decide to grow a certain type of flower, it is better to look on the Internet for how often they should be watered and in what quantity to make sure that you are doing the right thing and you are on the right track.
Greetings
I have exactly the same situation.
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: thelistener on 10/05/2021 22:41:43
Plants (that grow outside) should be watered in the morning. This means that less of the water evaporates than in the heat of midday. On hot summer days, watering can also be done in the afternoon, when the sun is no longer shining so strongly on the plants. Watering in the late evening should be avoided, as the roots can also rot depending on the weather.

Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: 4312 on 19/05/2021 09:17:26
My mother always does it in the morning
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: evan_au on 20/05/2021 01:14:42
Quote from: OP
When's the best time to water plants?
Before they die.

We have one plant whose leaves droop considerable when it is thirsty.
- Then I know to water it.
- All others would die, if I were responsible for doing the watering...
Title: Re: QotW - 20.11.02 - When's the best time to water plants?
Post by: Danny056 on 01/06/2021 08:30:13
May be in the morning?