When Is the Best Time to Water? Getting Your Garden Irrigation Timing Right

Marcus Bergin
Jul 6
2 min read

One of the most common questions I hear about irrigation is “When should I set my system to run?” It’s a simple thing, but getting watering times right can make all the difference to plant health, water use, and even your garden’s long-term resilience.

Why Timing Matters

Watering at the wrong time can:

Wastewater through evaporation
Encourage disease on foliage
Fail to reach plant roots effectively

Here’s how to get it right.

Early Morning: The Best Time for Most Gardens

Why?

Cooler temperatures reduce evaporation, allowing water to soak deeply into the soil.
Plants are well hydrated before the heat of the day, reducing stress.
Leaves have time to dry out, preventing fungal diseases.

If you’re using a timer, set irrigation to finish by 6–7am in summer. For manual watering, before 9am is ideal.

Evening Watering: Second Best, with Cautions

Why some choose evening watering:It avoids watering during peak heat, and in busy lives, it’s often more convenient.

But be careful:

Watering late can leave foliage damp overnight, encouraging mildew and fungal problems.
Slugs and snails are more active on damp soil after dusk.

If evening is your only option, aim for early evening, just after the hottest part of the day (around 6–7pm), to allow leaves to dry before nightfall.

Avoid Midday Watering

Midday sun leads to:

High evaporation rates, wasting water
Risk of leaf scorch if droplets magnify sunlight (mainly a risk in very strong sun)

Unless plants are severely wilted and at risk of dying, it’s better to wait until later.

How Long Should You Water For?

This depends on your system:

Drip irrigation: Typically 30–60 minutes, ensuring deep soil moisture.
Leaky hoses: Often run for 1–2 hours at low pressure.
Sprinklers: Varies, but aim for 1 inch of water per week in total, split across sessions.

A good test is to dig down with a trowel after watering – moisture should reach at least 10–15cm (4–6 inches) into the soil.

Adjusting with the Seasons

Don’t set your timer and forget it. Adjust based on:

Rainfall: Turn systems off when rain is plentiful.
Heatwaves: Increase duration or frequency during prolonged dry spells.
Plant needs: Seedlings and pots often require more frequent watering than established borders.

The Bottom Line

For most gardens, watering early in the morning is best. It saves water, keeps plants healthier, and sets your garden up to thrive through hot summer days.

If you’re installing irrigation in Cheltenham or nearby villages, I can help you plan not just the system itself but the right timing to make every drop count.

Contact me here if you’d like to discuss irrigation options for your garden this season.

Happy Gardening