RE: Watering in summer

Hi Pamela,
 
Here in California, I've always been told to water very early in the day.  The reason is that any moisture on the foliage will dry off before evening when fungal diseases are likely to settle. 
 
Your point about soils being warmer later in the day also makes a great deal of sense to avoid soil-borne diseases which favor warm moist soils.  Our native plants do not like warm, moist soils.
 
We also use quite a bit of mulch which helps keep soils cooler and moister, requiring less water. 
 
We provide a little summer water to most plants for at least the first two years. 
 
Also since we sometimes get a summer thunder shower, we set up a big overhead sprinkler maybe once or twice to simulate this to wash off the foliage.  Not sure it helps but the plants look better.
 
Cheers,
Bracey
San Jose CA

From: Pamela Steele [mailto:pamela.steele@re-taste.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:35 PM
To: Medit-Plants
Subject: Watering in summer

What are Mediterranean climate gardeners' views on the time of day to water plants.  We need to water our new plants here in Spain for their first year over the dormancy period in our hot dry summer until they get their roots down.  I was always led to believe the best time for these new plants to get most benefit was watering in the evening and so the ground would stay damp all night until morning.  Lately, I have had some interesting discussions  about watering in the evening and there are some theories that it is not as beneficial to the plants as early morning (7-8am) watering because in the evening the ground is still hot from the baking sun. 
 
Watering in the early morning  when the ground is relatively cold is apparently more beneficial for the roots.  Do you agree?
 
I would love to hear your experience and advice. 
Best wishes
Pamela 
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