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Post by Louise on Mar 11, 2011 6:50:51 GMT
During the quiz last night an interesting thing came up relating to the best time of day to water the garden, in summer.
I've always been taught/read/advised that watering's best done in the late afternoon or evening because the evaporation is so much less, therefore the soil and roots take up more moisture.
When do you think is the best time of day to do it ?
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Post by Tel on Mar 11, 2011 7:06:14 GMT
If i can i water early morning, if not late afternoon.
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Post by grindle on Mar 11, 2011 7:49:20 GMT
early morning for me too
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Post by Fractal on Mar 11, 2011 8:00:27 GMT
If its something like say Tomatoes in a greenhouse, a morning watering for certain as the heat of the day can dry off their stems reducing the conditions for botrytis or other rots. The water is more likely to remain on stems or any splashed foliage over night. Plants like Basil are usually always watered for this reason too in the morning, especially in our climate as it is often has to be grown indoors/under glass.
Bedding which is generally shallow rooted and needs regular watering as we all know I don't think it is that critical really. Best not in the heat of midday though.
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Post by grindle on Mar 11, 2011 8:18:11 GMT
I do it in the morning so it doesn't give the s & s a damp garden overnight, in the hope it will stop them eating so much probably wishful thinking
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Post by Geranium on Mar 11, 2011 8:31:05 GMT
I always thought it was better in the morning, too - firstly to cool the greenhouse, which I wouldn't water in the evening as it would stay damp all night and cause problems. My containers might get two lots if it was a hot day - haha.
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Post by Rosie on Mar 11, 2011 8:36:01 GMT
In the greenhouse/polytunnel i always did watering in the morning, but i remember reading that it's best to water the garden in the early evening so plants have plenty time to sook up the water overnight.
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Post by Cherry on Mar 11, 2011 8:37:22 GMT
The greenhouse should definitely be watered in the morning and the garden at night to give it longer to keep the moisture.
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Post by seaburn on Mar 11, 2011 16:33:55 GMT
depending on the weather : I usually do the greenhouse every 8 hrs as its on a timer pots I do morning 5.30-6.30 before going to work and if it has been particularly hot/windy then again at tea time and finally before going to bed at 10 pm. they lose most water during the day especially if it is breezy. A steady breeze strips more water than gale force winds as the plant 'shuts' its pores quickly in strong winds.
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Post by Louise on Mar 11, 2011 16:45:03 GMT
Given that i garden on a windy hillside i'm surprised that more things don't turn their toes up
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 12, 2011 7:41:17 GMT
In the hotter weather I water in the GH in the early morning when I open up. I water again in the early evening when I water the rest of the garden, I really find it relaxing and live in dread of a hosepipe ban...
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Post by Louise on Mar 12, 2011 7:45:39 GMT
Oh god, me too, CPB I use mine all year round if we've had a dry spell - infact, i've watered this week
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Post by Cherry on Mar 12, 2011 7:58:27 GMT
Living in one of the driest areas in UK, I find that the leaves on the rhododendrons, in the garden (not pots) are looking dessicated. I am resisting the urge to use the hose yet, but I will get it set up I think.
I met a farmer last night who farmed in the driest area of UK in Essex. He is in the Guinness Book of Records and it is officially a desert area. He grows good wheat on his clay and envies the fen soil and all we can grow.
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Post by steve on Mar 12, 2011 9:00:59 GMT
I try mostly for evenings in hot weather but I tend to water when it suits ME (selfish)
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Post by Geranium on Mar 12, 2011 9:25:45 GMT
OH fixed up a pump from the stream so I can run a hose off it. That's because our water pressure is soooo low that some days we only get a dribble out of the taps. If we get a dry period, the hose is running all day, moved round the garden gradually on a stand. And yes - it's legal.
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