Timing is Everything
Watering seems simple, but doing it at the wrong time of day can invite disease, waste water, and stress your plants.
The Golden Hour: Early Morning
The absolute best time to water is early morning, between 5 AM and 9 AM. The air is cool, and winds are typically calm, meaning less water evaporates before it reaches the roots.
The Problem with Evening Watering
Watering in the evening means the leaves stay wet all night. This creates the perfect cool, damp environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and black spot to thrive.
Water Deeply, Not Frequently
Do not just wet the surface every day. Water deeply (aim for 1 inch of water) once or twice a week. This encourages roots to grow deep into the soil seeking moisture, making your plants more drought-resilient.