Living in the Ville, we expect some really, really hot days. What we aren’t accustomed to is when they are all in a row without relief. Another hot one with more to come. This post is just like a public service announcement…
And plants…
My grandmother would water her plants and garden after the sun went down at night, or early in the morning before the heat of the day. The pesky neighbors do the exact same thing. I was always told that it had to be that way because the water drops would act as tiny magnifying glasses focusing the sun’s intense beams and would “burn-up” or scorch the leaves. Not true after all I guess. Washington State University has an article on their website that says this is just a myth. The article, written by Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, goes on to say, “If your plants are showing signs of water stress in the middle of the day, by all means you should water them! Postponing irrigation until the evening (not a good time to water anyway, as this can encourage fungal pathogens) or the following morning could damage your plants and open them up to opportunistic diseases.”
So who do I believe… my wise Grandmother and the pesky neighbors, or some professor who has spent a ton of time researching that very thing? Not sure about you — but I’m watering this pretty lady in the morning and after the sun goes down. =)
