The Best Time of Day to Water Your Garden—and How Often You Should Do It

One thing plants need in order to thrive in your garden is water. But some plants need a lot of hydration, while others can die from being given too much. In addition to individual plant needs, factors like age, soil quality, and climate can dictate how often you need to water your plants. These varying needs can make coming up with a watering schedule difficult for beginner and expert gardeners alike. To simplify this essential gardening task, we're sharing our tips for when to water your garden and how often to do it.

Best Time to Water Your Garden

The morning is the best time to water your garden since the water has time to absorb before the sun rises (allowing plants to retain more moisture). "It also gives the leaves time to dry," says Kip McConnell, the director of the Southern Living Plant Collection.

If the morning is not feasible, watering in the evening is also great. But keep in mind that watering at night will cause water to rest in the soil around the roots and on the leaves, which could lead to rot or fungal growth.

Avoid watering your plants during midday hours. "The afternoon sun gets hot (especially in summer) and can evaporate the plant's water instead of letting it absorb into the soil and roots," says McConnell.

Factors That Determine How Often to Water Your Garden

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to watering your garden, but there are some factors to consider that will help you create a schedule tailored to your landscape.

Know Your Climate

Your region's climate will play a role in how often you need to water your garden. "In spring and summer, does your region see frequent rain, or is it arid and dry?" asks McConnell. The answer will help you determine if your garden needs supplemental irrigation. For example, if you live in an area with heavy rainfall, you may not need to water as much as gardeners living in the desert. As your locale's conditions change, so too should your watering schedule.

Understand Your Plants' Watering Needs

It's important to understand whether you're working with drought-tolerant plants or plants that love moist soil. Take time to learn the watering needs of all of the plants growing in your garden and water them accordingly. If you're only growing drought-tolerant plants, for example, you'll need to water less than if you're caring for water-loving plants.

Soil Type

The type of soil you have will also play a role in how often you need to water, as certain soils hold water more than others. "Sandy soil drains quickly, so you'll need to water more often," says Misti Mathis, co-owner of Harvest Gold Organics. "Clay holds onto moisture, so be careful not to overwater."

Planting Method

Plants growing in containers, hanging baskets, or raised beds generally need to be watered more often than plants in the ground. "Containers and hanging baskets are going to require more frequent watering as the summer progresses, as the plants and their root systems are growing larger," says Terry Ettinger, greenhouse manager for SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

Plant Age

If you have very young plants or seedlings, they'll require a little bit more care as they establish their root system, says McConnell. While mature plants can get by for longer stretches without being watered, you need to avoid dehydrating any of the newbies. Most young varieties call for daily watering (skip rainy days) until roots are developed, which happens around the two-week mark. At that point, you can taper off.

How Often to Water Your Garden

While you will need to tailor your watering schedule to the above factors, most established gardens need about one inch of water weekly. "This water quantity can come from a combination of rainfall and your watering efforts," says Mathis. "As you grow your plants, you'll find the timing that works best."

How to Make Watering Your Garden Easier

Creating a watering schedule is easier when plants are grown in their preferred sun, shade, and soil conditions. Additionally, it's helpful to group plants with similar hydration needs near each other, which will help you find a watering frequency that works for all your blooms. For example, group your drought-tolerant plants together so you know you can water that area of your garden less.

Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering Plants

It's possible to water your garden (or at least specific plant varieties) too much. Look for telltale signs of overwatering, which may include brown leaves, drooping or mushy stems, moldy soil, stunted growth, and root rot. Take them as a cue to water less frequently.

Your plants will also tell you if they're being underwatered. When this occurs, you will typically see wilting leaves, dry and cracked soil, stunted growth, and brown or crispy leaves, says Mathis.