When is the best time to irrigate to avoid evaporation loss?

• A. Mid-morning
• B. Peak heat hours
• C. Late afternoon
• D. Nighttime

Answer: (D)

Irrigating at nighttime is optimal for minimizing evaporation loss because temperatures are cooler and humidity levels tend to be higher during this period. When the sun is down, the air can hold more moisture, which means that water applied to the landscape has a greater chance of soaking into the soil rather than evaporating into the atmosphere. This practice allows the plants to absorb the water more effectively, ensuring that it reaches the roots where it is needed most.

Mid-morning and peak heat hours are less desirable because they coincide with increased temperatures and sunlight, which significantly heightens the rate of evaporation. Late afternoon may seem better than these times, but the sun is still present, and evaporation can still occur before the temperatures drop significantly during the night. By choosing to irrigate at night, you capitalize on the most favorable conditions for water retention and efficiency in landscape irrigation.