'Best' time of day to water plants in the garden to avoid killing them

Gardening is a year-round passion, but as the summer season approaches, there are certain tasks that demand extra attention – notably watering. Ensuring your are well-watered is crucial for nurturing those vibrant blooms to flourish. Plant specialists at Phostrogen highlight that every plant is composed of 80 percent water, with roots being the sole channel for water uptake, making proper watering indispensable.

A common blunder made by gardeners during this period is watering at an inappropriate time of day. TV presenter and QVC's expert Mark Lane points out that watering plants "at the wrong time" ranks among the "worst mistakes" one can make in the heat.

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So, what's the optimal moment for this vital chore? The green-fingered experts at Phostrogen advise: "In spring and autumn, water early in the morning, but in the summer, it can be best to wait until the evening as watering during full sun can burn the plants."

Evening watering reduces the risk of evaporation, ensuring plants benefit from the full amount of water provided, reports .

Contrastingly, Mark contends that "the best time" to water your greenery "is early in the morning when the outdoor temperature is cooler, between 5:00 and 9:00am".

He advocates for the early hours because it will "result in less water lost to evaporation" as temperatures rise throughout the day.

While the timing of watering is crucial, the amount of water used is equally important, and when it comes to plants feeling parched in the heat, less is often more during peak temperatures.

Henry Bartlam, founder of the Dig, advised against "plants a daily light sprinkling of water". He suggested that it's "better to give them a good soak every couple of days (especially in warmer ) than a quick splash every day".

He mentioned that while there isn't an exact science to this, if the soil appears moist and retains its dampness, "you've probably done a good job".

Nonetheless, he warned: "Be careful not to overwater and saturate the soil though - not only could this eventually damage the plants, but also wastes valuable water."