From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Kutztown, PA

There seems to be some different ideas about when to water. I typically like to water first thing in the morning but I'm not sure if, at least on hot days it would be better done in the mid afternoon. Some folks water in the wee hours before dawn I guess to offset evaporation. Other's (those scared of the dark I guess) would never water anytime when the suns not out. Some folks do the entire watering at once while others water at intervals. So, I really have know idea what the best time to water is. Of course the soil moisture will have the final word, but what's the general rule of thumb.

11/29/2022 10:41:28 AM

Austin MN

I watered around 6:30am every day this year and then again if needed at 3:45-4ish pm. This was do to work. I never seemed to have an issue. My biggest thing I had to watch was spreading disease with early waterings.

11/29/2022 10:57:23 AM

Syracuse, NY

I'm the local crazy person out there at 12M to 3, 4 am, mixing and dispensing the Warlock's Brew. I am not a morning person and the long wait is over after work, so, it is then. Also, while doing so, I can collect males and mesh-baggie prospective female flowers, lol; It can rain any time, day or night and humidity is more prevalent at night, so I just do it when I feel like it or can. Timers someday, but probably not much different as to when. eg

11/29/2022 3:45:22 PM

Kutztown, PA

Having been raised in FL I was always told to water at least an hour or two before sun up since evaporation happens quick there, not to mention quick drainage in most regions.

11/29/2022 4:15:34 PM

Grittyville, WA

Overhead or drip...? Good questions deserve good answers! I haven't read anything on this. I'd copy mobeymike but my sprinklers dont output as much as his, plus I am in a slightly different climate.

11/29/2022 4:45:30 PM

Kutztown, PA

Well, I was doing overhead but I bought a pump and a couple of IBC's. I'm planning to set up an injector for feeding solubles at some scheduled intervals. I likely still have to do some watering using over heads. I've read that the old paradigm that leaves would scald if you water mid day is a myth. I've also done it at that time before to cool the plants off on hot days. Primarily though, I've been watering here in East PA at about dawn.

11/30/2022 10:43:56 AM

Austin MN

I did hand watering. Defiantly takes more time...But like Ron says you really get a feel for how much water you are putting out and where you are putting it.

11/30/2022 10:57:30 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I used a 4x per day drip schedule this year and also hand-watered any dry spots daily. I used less water this year than last with better results.

11/30/2022 11:00:45 AM

Kutztown, PA

I don't think I have time to hand water, though it would probably be effective. Generally speaking, how much water are you guys laying down for each plant per day?

11/30/2022 4:18:06 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I like KC Kevin's watering and I'm sure he's also feeding lightly with each of those waterings? That's my schedule.

There's a few guys out there growing well over 2000 each year that water 4 to 14 times a day. Bummer is, most of them don't post on here. I can't even think about watering that much because of my disease issues.

12/1/2022 10:24:27 AM

Western NY

Drip tape on a timer.

3x a day - morning, afternoon, and then again evening/overnight. Supplemental hand watering or an extra cycle if it's been dry.

12/1/2022 10:39:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

Thats a lot of watering. At that frequency of watering, maybe just switch to flood irrigating. It has some actual benefits! But as far as I know, its a technique no one has ever tried.

12/1/2022 10:48:27 AM

Kutztown, PA

I like the idea of anything "automatic" because it saves me time. I bought an interval timer yesterday and Santa better bring me an injector. I have a question about drip tape too: Is it better to run the tape parallel to the main or perpendicular to the main? Which way interferes with vine burying the least?

12/1/2022 1:35:56 PM