Now that warmer months are with us, an excellent subject to consider are the best times and conditions to water one’s lawn and/or garden.
I see many individuals watering their lawns and gardens during the hot mid-day summer hours; however, watering on a hot summer afternoon is not efficient or effective. The liquid will evaporate too quickly and may not reach your grass’s roots, so heat and irrigation shouldn’t go together. Instead, the best time to water grass during summer is in the early morning. This is the point of the day when the heat and wind will be at their lowest, which will help water better penetrate into your soil without as high a chance of evaporation or run-off. Between irrigation and natural rainfall, your grass should receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week during the summer.
You should water deeply every other day for the best results. With regards to watering of your garden, morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
Until next time – stay environmentally savvy!
