In the middle of summer, watering correctly becomes a key task to keep the plants on any terrace or garden healthy.
According to Eduardo Barba, gardener and botanical researcher, the best time to do it is without a doubt first thing in the morning and it is not only to avoid the evaporation of water with the sun.
In an interview on the program Hoy por hoy, on Cadena Ser, Barba explained that «the plant wakes up in time with the sun’s rays. It’s like having coffee ready when you get up.» This comparison is not only poetic, it reflects a basic principle of natural functioning of plants and their good care.
Water in the morning
During the morning, when the light source begins to rise and the plant metabolism is activated, It is the optimal time for the roots to absorb the water they need.
At that moment, the stomata of the leaves are more willing to exchange gases and, therefore, to make better use of hydration.
Watering in the morning not only allows them to start the day with the necessary energy, but also significantly reduces evaporation, making the most of every drop.
Avoid night watering and its consequences
Although it may seem more comfortable to water at dusk, especially in summer, Barba warns of the associated risks. The water that remains on the surface of the substrate during the night hours takes longer to evaporate, which can favor the appearance of fungus, mold and diseases.
At night, too, plants enter a kind of dormancyits metabolic activity decreases, and its ability to absorb water as well.
From nurseries and greenhouses to urban gardens and private terraces, the recommendation is unanimous, If you have the choice, it is always better to water at dawn. Even when you don’t have a particularly complex garden, like Barba himself has, watering manually at the beginning of the day is still the best option.
Consider the help of drip irrigation
In his particular case, Eduardo Barba has installed a automatic drip irrigation system on its terrace, which has completely transformed water management.
What previously required more than an hour a day is now solved in just seven minutes. Even so, he insists on not trusting everything to the automated system. Every Friday, do a complementary watering by hand with the hose. The reason? “So that the entire root ball is completely hydrated,” he says.
This is because drip irrigation, although efficient, only wets a specific area of the substrate, right where the water falls. Manual watering allows the entire volume of soil surrounding the roots to be moistened, ensuring deeper and more uniform hydration.
In addition, approaching the plants to water them allows you to observe their condition, detect possible pests, deficiencies or signs of stress before they get worse.
By watering with natural light and mild temperatures, you can also detect if any pots need a change of location or if there are excess dry leaves.
Of course, scheduled drip irrigation is ideal on vacation when you’re away, but there are other solutions.
A key to plant health
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For those who do not have automated irrigation, the recommendation is simple: organize to water first thing in the day. This may seem like a challenge in the middle of a busy routine, but it quickly becomes a beneficial habit for both the plants’ well-being and your connection to the garden.
And you don’t need a large infrastructure, With a simple schedule, a watering can and some perseverance, It is possible to apply this logic of daily care.
Barba insists that the timing of morning watering is not a minor detail, but an essential part of the relationship between a person and their garden. “When a plant receives water just when it begins to activate with light, responds better, grows with more vigor and remains healthier,” explains.
A routine that makes a difference in extreme climates
In contexts of intense heat, such as those experienced in many regions during the summer, choose the irrigation schedule carefully. can be decisive.
The water applied at midday, with the highest temperatures, evaporates quickly and it barely reaches the roots.
In the afternoon, loses efficiency and the risks of diseases increase due to excess humidity at night.
Only morning watering allows take advantage of the natural cycle of the plant, maintain the freshness of the substrate and avoid excess humidity.
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