My husband seems to think that it's better to water our plants at night, when it's cooler. Is he right?

Question

I mean, he believes this to the point that our peach tree hadn't been watered in days in scorching 100+ degree weather (we were out of town) and when we got back home I ran to go water it (it was only recently planted), and he stopped me, saying that it's best to water when the weather is cool. Is he right about this?? Where did he get this? Didn't the tree just need water immediately? Thanks.

And how do I best care for the tree?.. I don't want it to go into shock or die from the heat.. it already has some little green peaches.. I dug it out of a friend's yard. It seems a baby but is about 6 feet tall already.

Answer 1

He is correct.

If you water during the day it all just instantly evaporates (when it is hot).

It also "burns" grass. The water gets heated by the sunlight and actually burns the grass, instead of replenishing it.

Answer 2

Yes. The PROBLEM is; if you water during the "heat of the Day", half the water Evaporates- & the tree doesn't get it! The BEST time of day to water anything, is between 3 AM & 7AM. THEN the air tends to be calm & coolest, & most of the water gets to where you want it to go... A GOOD soaking, once a week- is fine for most things in the Summer... :)

Answer 3

Um yeah~ if you were totally dehydrated for 3 days would you want a drink now or to wait til after dark?

It's a big controversy about the best time to water.

It's an old theory that you can burn leaves by watering in the sun or heat of the day. Then it went around it was just a wives tale. Then it's been researched & found under the RIGHT RARE circumstances it is possible for the water drops to act like magnifying glasses & burn plants. I manage a garden center & we have to water during the day, no harm done yet.

I don't like the idea of watering at night because wet leaves in the dark encourage fungus on any plant & peach trees are definetly suseptable.

Sounds like early morning would satisfy you & your husband, but if a plant is stressed due to lack of water, relieve it's stress ASAP

Answer 4

Actually it is better to water early in the morning. Your husband is partially right when he says to water when it is cooler but that newly planted tree needs to be watered deeply and often (about once a day if you're reaching 100 degrees). If you water at night your tree is more susceptible to fungus and insect infestation. So, water your tree in the early morning. Also, drip watering is good too for the first year of the tree because it waters deeply and enables the roots to become strong, go deeper and support the tree better. Better roots mean the tree will not have to struggle during these hot, hot days. And yes, the tree needed water immediately. Try not to water in the middle of the day when it is the hottest. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Nope.....supposed to water early in the morn.

Answer 6

All the TV gardeners say to water in the morning.  

It's so dry here, we've been watering 24/7, trees, lawn, & garden.  It doesn't hurt them.  Most gardeners say 3-4 hours with a hose and sprinkler to soak in 1 inch.  Place a cheap raingauge near the tree for the water depth.  1/10th on the gauge equals 1 inch in the soil.

Personally I think it's silly, it can rain anytime during the day & still get very hot after the rain.  God doesn't water only in the mornings.

Answer 7

you should water them early in the morning as the sun light can also reflect of the water and burn the plants. also it can evaporate quicker