Watering at night
MountainMan
21 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (26)
Claudino
21 years agomjsee
21 years agoRelated Discussions
watering at night vs. morning
Comments (4)You are correct. You should water in the morning so plants have time to dry before the cool evening. Ideally before the dew dries. Drip irrigation systems prevent foliage from getting wet when watering. Wet leaves can promote fungus and disease and provide a happy environment for some pests. General rule of thumb is that gardens require one inch of water per week by supplementing rainfall. So long as you have good drainage, the plants will take what water they need. You will have to adjust throughout the season and be attentive to the amount of rainfall you receive each week. There are two schools of thought on watering. Frequent shallow waterings or less frequent long, deep waterings. The general rule of thumb is that mature plants need 1-2 inches of rain per week in summer. You should provide whatever portion of this moisture is lacking. One inch of rain equals 65 gallons per 100 square feet of garden space. But this is just a guide. Time of the season, stage of the plants, soil composition, and many other factors affect the amount of water required. Be consistent during fruit production. Mulched plants require less water than plants that are not mulched. Raised beds require more than non-raised beds. If a good amount of compost is incorporated into the soil, less water is needed. Compost holds 6 times it's weight in water. Watering too frequently and too heavily is just as hard on plants as too little water. Roots require oxygen just as much as they require water and nutrients. Dry winds dehydrate plants. Cooler temps require less water. Those using drip irrigation whether from a soaker hose or milk jug are likely getting the best use of their water which is going right where it needs to go and the ground has time to absorb it. There are hundreds of methods of watering. Whatever you do, just be consistent. But I do agree, twice a day sounds like too much. Roots require oxygen equally as much as they require nutrients and water. I personally believe in a couple of deep waterings per week with the use of 2 inches of mulch to reduce evaporation and maintain a more stable soil temperature. Plants recover from dehydration much better then they ever recover from the roots being suffocated by drowning so under watering is better than over watering until you get the hang of it. Oxygen is equally as important as water and nutrients and rain water is always better than municipal tap water. Here is a link that might be useful: Watering a Vegetable Garden...See MoreWatering at night?
Comments (8)My understanding is you want to cut down on the time you grass spends wet/humid in heat. That encourages fungus and/or disease. Around here watering in the heat of afternoons adds to that. Here I water in the early AM. Start about 2am. But, my climate is more like BP's. We have fairly low humidity and our nights cool off unlike most of Texas. Another advantage is that it can soak in before it evaporates and there is usually less wind. I tried watering when I got home from work in the afternoons when it was hottest to "cool off" the grass. Here that led to problems with the grass being the wettest while there was lots of heat. One other thing, I'm not sure the sod farms would be the best examples for homeowners. They are often much more proactive about things like fungus than homeowners are and may even put fungicide in the irrigation water. All gardening is local and it very much depends on your climate as to what is the best time....See Moreless hot water at night
Comments (2)You should have the wiring control system checked and probably changed to domestic hot water heating on a priority,(only heats water when tank calls) and then it will be consistant and probably plentiful....See MoreNew grass dying. Fungus? Bad neighbors watering at night...
Comments (6)I had a small area I was renovating die off due to the exact same stuff. I tried heavy fungicide when I saw the problem but it didn't help. I ripped it all out and reseeded today, I think the cooler weather(and heavy fungicide applied at seeding) will help this second round not have the same fate....See Morejenny_in_se_pa
21 years agoPatriz
21 years agoEduarda
21 years agowatergal
21 years agodawnstorm
21 years agoSherrie_Florida
21 years agoakebono
21 years agoKitty1342
21 years agofoxydigitalis
21 years agodawnstorm
21 years agoakebono
21 years agoMoonsinger
21 years agoFireraven9
21 years agoDswan
21 years agoMelissaCO
21 years agostimpy926
21 years agogardenkat
21 years agoshakaho
21 years agoCrumpet
21 years agojames_m_clark
18 years agotinamcg
18 years agosjv78736
18 years agoHU-399876333
3 years ago
Related Stories
BEDROOMSThe Right Mattress: The Secret to a Great Night’s Sleep
We spend a third of our lives asleep, so investing in a quality mattress is essential. Check out this expert advice to help you choose yours
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESArchitecture at Night: Lanterns in the Landscape
As days grow shorter we can see modern home design in a whole new light
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Your Summer Date Night Essentials
Create a Cozy Outdoor Area Perfect for Warm Nights with the One You Love
Full StoryDIY PROJECTSLight Up Your Night With an Easy Outdoor Table Lamp
Hit up Goodwill and the hardware store to make this lamp for a deck or poolside patio in minutes
Full StoryFLOWERS AND PLANTSTufted Evening Primrose Shines at Night
Oenothera caespitosa waits until the sun is ready to set before unfurling its large white petals that draw visitors and evening pollinators
Full StoryBEDROOMSRoom of the Day: A Cocoon for Late-Night Crashing
Moodily masculine and warmly enveloping, this loft bedroom welcomes the owner after his long hours in the music studio
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESRooms We Love: A Mountain Retreat Made for Cold Winter Nights
Ample linen and Ushak carpets put a contemporary twist on cozy Appalachian style in a North Carolina show house
Full StoryARCHITECTURELantern-Like Architecture Lights Up Night and Day
Aglow in the landscape from inside and out, these modern homes convey unspoken gestures of welcome
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Let 'Starry Night' Inspire a Formal Living Room
Use van Gogh's masterpiece to create a living room that's a work of art
Full StoryMore Discussions
zerodfx