Dawn Watering for a Great Garden
During this heat, read your garden to learn what's best for plants.
Afternoon drooping is plants' natural heat defense, not necessarily an indication that they need water. Wilted plants in the morning tell you that's watering time. Early watering augments morning dew and works best with plants' natural water uptake cycles; you're applying water they need instead of overwatering them to death.
Running sprinklers midday wastes your water, time and money since most of that water evaporates almost instantly with heat and wind. In fact, that's why the City, County and State all prohibit overhead watering midday.
Night watering invites root rot and fungal growth, plus it attracts unwanted pests like gnats, slugs and snails.
Water at dawn for maximum plant benefit, lowest pest and disease risk and minimum waste. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/GardenGuide for more watering tips, free fall garden class registration and more!
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