Watering

Linnylou81

Evening 

I'm new to gardening and have been given loads off advice and tips but the one thing that's causing a bit of conflict is should I water in the morning or evening? also does it really matter as long as they get water? 

Thank you

Elusive

Watering can be done any time of the day as long as the sun isnt on the leaves, as this will 'scorch' them.

I'd say Evening is a good time to water in general, or in the morning if you don't want those pesky slugs and snails eating all of your plants!

Dovefromabove

If at all possible I like to water early in the morning before things warm up.  I find that if I water in the evenings the coldness and wetness, coupled with the darkness, attracts those marauding slugs and snails to the plants I've watered.  If I water very early the water soaks into the ground before the sun can dry it, but the slugs and snails are tucked away fast asleep during the day. 

However, sometimes plants need watering when they need watering, so they get done in the evening - it that happens I try to do a slug patrol with a torch later in the evening 

And do try to keep water off the leaves, particularly on a sunny day.

marshmello

I water evenings, as mornings are not possible. If this helps.

Fairygirl

In theory watering in the evening means less evaporation so the plants benefit more if it's a hot dry spell like most of us are having. However- as everyone says- it has to fit in with your own life too so it's whatever suits you best!

As Dove says- keeping water off leaves if it's sunny is more important than when you water.

Linnylou81

Thank you. I water mine in the evening as mornings I don't have time. 

 

 

artjak

Mattbeer, I read recently that the scorching theory doesn't hold water (no pun intended, ok a bit)

Elusive

Perhaps I should have worded that a bit better, but you understood what I meant :P

Leggi

I water in the evening, I'm not great at anything in the morning to be honest so it works for me. If you're already on top of your slug/snail situation then it probably makes little difference unless you're specifically growing plants which won't tolerate wet roots (but there aren't many I've found that won't cope with overnight wet roots before drying out over the next day).

Dovefromabove

Yes, don't forget that most plants don't like their feet being cold and wet at the same time, so watering in the evening early and late in the year when the nights are cold is not a good thing.