THIS is the exact time of day you should be harvesting a certain kind of plant.
As the weather begins to change, gardeners or even those who have small plant pots will be wanting to see how best to care for their greenery.
Gardeners who grow herbs should harvest them at a particular point in the day (stock)[/caption]
Other garden tasks are also better suited to certain times of day and weather conditions (stock)[/caption]
There are a number of rules that should be followed when it comes to maintaining your garden – big or small.
But some are less known and can make a world of difference.
While many are aware of the seasonal habits of gardening, there are also certain times of day that are best for completing specific tasks.
For example, most gardeners know that in the summer it is best not to water the garden or any outdoor plants after the sun has risen or before it has set.
This is to ensure the highest rate of absorption as if it is done in the sun, much of the water will evaporate before reaching the plant.
But, those who grow herbs may not know that there is an ideal time of day to harvest them.
They should be collected in the morning in order to get the best flavor and smell.
Ideally, it should be before the sun has fully emerged but after morning dew has dried out.
Avid gardener Jessica Damiano said that for her suburban New York garden, this is typically 10 am.
This is the “ideal” time, she said, as it is when the plant’s oils are strongest, therefore giving off the most flavor.
She added that anyone growing salad leaves and lettuces should also adhere to similar timings if they want fresh and crisp greenery.
“Wait any longer and leaves are more likely to be wilted when overnight moisture evaporates and temperatures rise,” she said.
This is also the prime time for cutting flowers which look their best after a night of recovering from daytime heat and absorbing the dew.
Meanwhile, if you are planning a cull in your garden or do some manhandling of plants like pruning or repotting, for example, this must not be done until late in the day.
Ideally in the evening, but the late afternoon also works.
This is because it is disruptive to the plants and if done before the heat of the day, that extra struggle could end up killing off the plants entirely.
But there is one time you should never touch your garden.
That is when it has rained or is raining and you want to mow the lawn.
Not only can the wet blades of grass block your lawn mower, but it can “stress the lawn and spread disease,” Damiano said.
You should wait for dry weather and cut the lawn outside of the hottest time of the day.
Meanwhile, wet weather is perfect for weeding your garden as it softens the soil making them easier to pull.
Plus, see the exact date to stop mowing your lawn in September to get lush grass by spring.
