watering in hot weather

[vicki]

can anyone advise the best time of day to water and how often. by midday today my courgette plants are starting to droop in the heat but as this is the time they are in full sun I wasn't sure if it was a good time to wate them. I usually water in the evening but also seem to remember being told this just makes the ground nice and damp for the slugs!
whats best?

[lyndap]

I've always been told to water in morning before gets very warm/hot, and if absolutley needed early evening as temp starts to drop. Don't water late evening,cos don't want cold,wet roots overnight. It seems to work. hope this helps.

[vicki]

thanks lyndap, the watering can be my early morning task then, and hopefully this will see the courgettes through the heat of the day!!

[eskymo]

I water first thing in the morning before the sun is hot...part of the morning rounds and then around 5pm I go and check the garden again and water anything that needs it. That way it's not too cold and you don't get cold root syndrome.

[SueA]

If you water in the morning try not to leave water on the leaves as if the sun comes out it can scorch the leaves by reflecting through the water droplets.I know your're not supposed to water in the middle of the day but if something looks like it's dying of thirst I'd say water it but don't wet the leaves try to water the roots.

[bramble]

When asking about watering plants i remember someone saying to me, "would you like to be left standing in cold water overnight" so water in the morning and if need be at any other time of day make sure to water the roots only and not the leaves.i

[Doggler]

Glad you asked that! I've always watered in the evenings before and then wondered why we had so many problems with slugs. All makes sense now. Just got to get up a bit earlier - or rely on the OH...