Landscaping, Lawn Care

When is the Best Time to Water Sod and Plants?

Posted on by Ellie O.

In Florida, the best time to water your lawn and landscape is typically early in the morning, before 10 a.m. This allows the water to penetrate the soil and reach the roots before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Watering in the early morning also helps prevent the growth of fungus and other diseases that thrive in damp conditions during the night. Additionally, watering in the morning gives the grass and plants enough time to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal growth. Avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day to minimize water loss through evaporation, and also avoid watering in the evening to prevent prolonged moisture on the grass and plants, which can lead to fungal issues. A few reasons to avoid watering at night include:
  1. Fungal Growth: Moist conditions overnight create an ideal environment for fungal growth, such as mold and mildew. Fungi thrive in damp environments, and watering at night can leave grass and plants wet for an extended period, increasing the risk of fungal diseases.
  2. Prolonged Moisture: Watering at night can result in prolonged moisture on the grass blades and soil surface. This extended moisture can attract pests and pathogens that may harm your lawn and landscape plants.
  3. Reduced Absorption: During the night, cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels reduce the rate of water absorption by the soil. This means that a significant portion of the water applied may not penetrate the soil and instead remain on the surface, increasing the risk of runoff and wastage.
  4. Disease Spread: Some lawn diseases, such as brown patch and dollar spot, spread more rapidly in damp conditions. Watering at night can exacerbate these conditions, allowing diseases to spread more easily throughout the lawn.
  5. Inefficient Water Use: Watering at night when temperatures are cooler and humidity levels are higher can result in inefficient water use. Much of the water applied may evaporate before it has a chance to benefit the plants, leading to wastage and higher water bills.
In addition, watering during the hottest parts of the day isn’t ideal due to increased evaporation rates. When you water during peak heat, much of the water applied can evaporate before it reaches the roots of your plants, leading to inefficient water usage and potentially stressing your lawn and landscape. Instead, it’s best to water early in the morning or later in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler and evaporation rates are lower. This allows the water to penetrate the soil effectively and be absorbed by the plants, promoting healthy growth while conserving water.

There is one exception to this rule, and it involves specific circumstances. New sod or plant installations may require watering up to 2 times per day to prevent blade or leaf wilting. If blades or leaves are wilting, it’s a sign that they’re stressed and in need of water. In such a situation, it’s better to water the grass even if it’s in the afternoon and hot outside. Again, it is important to try to water deeply and directly at the base of the grass to minimize water loss through evaporation. If your established lawn or landscape is experiencing wilting, consider other factors that may be contributing, such as soil quality, sunlight exposure, irrigation duration, drought conditions and any underlying issues with the grass or soil health.

 

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Ellie O.