You’re Probably Watering the Garden at the Wrong Time, and It Could Kill the Plants

We all already know it is not a good idea to water the garden in the peak heat of midday, but it turns out that watering in the evening is not always the perfect solution either. Gardening experts warn that moisture left on plants overnight can encourage fungi, rot and disease. So when is the right time?

In the Israeli summer, almost anyone with a garden, pots on the balcony, or even a few small planters by the window knows the dilemma, when is the right time to water? During the hot midday hours, water evaporates quickly, but evening watering does not always get the green light from experts either. In an article published on The Spruce, gardening experts explained that the main problem with late watering is the moisture that remains on plants overnight. When leaves stay wet for hours without sunlight to dry them, it can create favorable conditions for the development of fungi and various diseases, especially during hot and humid periods.

However, the article also makes clear that this is not an absolute rule. According to the experts, evening watering is still often preferable to watering in the middle of the day, especially during severe heat waves. The problem begins mainly when watering is done very late at night, or when the plant stays wet for long hours. In their view, the ideal time to water is usually early in the morning, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. At those hours, temperatures are lower, the water has a better chance of soaking into the soil, and the leaves dry naturally במהלך the day. Another bonus is that this also reduces unnecessary water evaporation.

In short, there is no single hour that is completely forbidden for watering. It all depends on the weather, the type of plant and the amount of water. Still, if a choice can be made, most agree that the early morning hours are the safer and more efficient option for summer.

Another tip, it is also recommended to try watering the soil directly rather than the leaves themselves, especially with sensitive plants. Many people simply spray water over the whole plant without thinking much about it, but in practice the leaves are exactly where excess moisture can accumulate and encourage fungi and disease, especially on hot, humid summer nights. Lower, more targeted watering, closer to the roots, is considered more effective and healthier for the plant.

And despite the heat, experts remind readers not to overdo it here either. Overwatering is considered one of the most common summer mistakes, mainly because of the tendency to think that every plant is thirsty all the time. In practice, soil that is too wet can cause root rot, attract pests and harm the plant just as much as a lack of water. Therefore, it is better to water deeply and precisely rather than giving small amounts of water again and again throughout the day.