While revealing when you need to give your different plants a drink when the temperature rises, an expert has also debunked a common misconception about watering. Keeping your garden and potted plants healthy and lush during hotter weather and a heatwave can be a time consuming and tricky business. It often seems they just can’t get enough and dry out incredibly quickly when the mercury rises.
However, this problem can be eased if you manage when you get the hose or watering can out to give your plants a well-needed drink. An expert has revealed there are certain times of day it’s not advisable and could actually be a waste of time. Experts at Gardens Illustrated spoke to Stuart Thompson, a senior lecturer in plant biochemistry at the University of Westminster, who explained that plants go through their own weight in water on a sunny day.
He revealed that plants which are not in pots will benefit most if they are watered in the morning or evening. This is because the droplets have time to soak down into the soil before evaporating in the glaring rays of the sun like they would at a hotter part of the day. For this reason, watering when the sun is at its hottest such as midday, is generally not advisable and should be avoided.
He also debunked a common misconception when it comes to watering and the possible risk of burning plants. He said the false belief that water drops act like magnifying glasses and scorch leaves if they are wet, is incorrect. The exception is leaves .