School gardens can be a powerful tool to improve the quality of nutrition and education of a child. Not only the children learn how to grow healthy food but also how to use it for better nutrition.
Beyond this, school gardens also serve for environmental education and for personal and social development by adding a practical dimension to these subjects. They may also reinforce basic academic skills like reading, writing, biology and arithmetic. A beautiful garden and a class education, nothing beyond you can ask for your kid.
A similar Environment prevails in one of the most reputed schools within the tricity, the ever growing St.Stephen’s School.
St. Stephen’s has won many laurels and in recent times the St. Stephen’s Football academy won the under 15 Manchester United Premier Football league in Goa defeating professional clubs of India thus becoming the undisputed Champions of India; no mean feat for a school club and now will represent India at Kuala Lumpur in June 2008.
St. Stephen’s truly exemplifies the glorious achievements by way of its ambassadors who have shone bright on the National and International arena - to mention a few - Abhinav Bindra, an Olympian, an Arjuna Awardee and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna recipient - Mohammed Tanveer, a National Champion in Carrom - Jaideep Taluja, represented India in Seoul in Football - Raghu Mahajan who topped AIEEE, IIT JEE, and was second in ICSE all over India - that lays testimony to the honest fact that theirs is a story of inspiration from a mentor indeed besides this, St. Stephen’s School has won the “Best Garden” Award in Chandigarh in the school category three times in a row.
This aptly summarises Mr. Harold Carver’s absolute devotion to the cause of environmental issues. The school showcases a beautiful Japanese styled garden that can easily be compared to the very best in Chandigarh; arguably the best planned city in India. The school building has been designed with every minute detail being taken into consideration that pertains to the classrooms, laboratories, staff rooms and a latest state-of-the-art air conditioned auditorium. The auditorium is equipped to stage many a stellar performance, and each aspect has undergone careful thought in presenting only the very best a school can offer “Perfection in quality”.
Replete with lush bamboo, ferns, herbs and a queen-size lounger are nestled in a Japanese-style, with features more than 10 varieties of flowering shrubs, ferns and herbs cascading down his wall.
The rich green carpet along with a mix of carefully planned blossoms, creepers, seasonal and ever-green plantations gives a soothing to every eye. The entrance is framed with a vivid Bignonia Venesta, the porch is resplendent with palms and the serenity of pathways is dotted with larkspurs, stalks, dahlias, salvias and anteherinums. The little landscape is complete with pansies, orchids and cactus.
St. Stephen’s school has been synonymous with ideals, which are pillars of education, namely discipline and integrity. There is a unique exuberance amongst the students and the teachers as they assemble for morning prayers in the huge quadrangular area of this magnificently built school. The prayers are said and all students and staff stand silently as if waiting for what might be essential to their day’s working.
Turning dreams into reality, Mr.Carver explains how St. Stephen’s School was initiated in 7 very small rooms in a residential area and now the School stands proud in a campus that has infrastructural facilities comparable to the very best in terms of global standards.
“In 1979 my father who was ill at that time, called me in one day to discuss what he considered was important. During the course of the conversation, I understood my father’s dream of opening a school. Taken aback by this sudden expression of my father’s dream, I simply told him that I was confident of being a good teacher but had my own doubts over my capabilities of being an administrator. In other words, I did not want to take the risk. That was when my father said, “You don’t know. I know. I have nurtured you as a son. So I know your capabilities as a son.” These words of inspiration grew to be a guiding factor all my life thereafter. Soon after my father passed away, it was my mother who urged me to define my father’s dream into a reality. By the time my mother returned from England, bookings for St. Stephen’s had begun. The school which then had begun in a residential area with students from various strata of the society”, he adds.
In 1991, the school shifted to a 4 acre site in the southern sector of the city. The grand plans were however put a spanner into by a group of people in the management with vested interests. The group wanted to take over the school and turn it into a commercial institution compromising on the student friendly and educative ambience the school was now famous for. What followed then proved beyond doubt the love of the students, teachers and parents for Mr. Carver. For the first time probably in India students and staff struck work and declared a strike to ensure that Mr. Carver would not step down. On October 1, 1993, the day celebrated even today as Thanksgiving Day by all the students and teachers; Mr. Carver was reinstated as the rightful principal of St. Stephen’s School, Chandigarh.
An enigmatic personality at times, Mr. Harold Carver has ushered in many a novelty in the field of education that spans a period of over 43 years
St. Stephen’s is but incomplete if Mr Carver is not sighted in every nook and cranny of the school, be it the auditorium, classroom, garden, laboratory, sports field or even the toilets to say the least, that reflects a very strict disciplinarian. The staff and students are very aware of the high expectations in all issues relating to punctuality, dress code, campus behaviour, protocol where upholding the traditions of St. Stephen’s is crucial. This is also evident in the concept in School wherein the closing of class periods is not indicated by the ringing of the bell, but by the watches worn on the wrist; for every minute counts. Aptly put by Mr. Carver “Time is no mans slave, but master of all”.
The experiences of all the trials and tribulations in establishing St. Stephen’s School with a difference, has only been achieved with the determination and grit that overcame all adversity with a simple saying, “Never give up, try again”. One can only better oneself with perseverance and it is this belief coupled with inspiration that made Mr. Carver the legendary educationist that he is. His inherent traits of Leadership blended with a steel resolve to achieve the very best in providing a holistic, child oriented and an all round development of personality for children is very much evident in the par excellence of performances in his School. Be it in academics, literary activities, cultural activities and sports, St Stephen’s very much lives up to its Mentor, Confidante and Guide Mr. Harold Carver. His motto Semper Sursum-meaning ‘always aim higher’ has found its true reflection in the School and all in it.
Showing posts with label THE GARDENS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label THE GARDENS. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2009
He love flowers just as his own kids
Those who have a passion for horticulture knows what it means to have a well maintained garden, which is obviously a proud possession of the gardener.
Mention a sprawling lawn with neatly carved flowerbeds and unique garden accessories in the corners and we know the Sethi’s in Sector 21 are being referred to. Whoever thought that gardening requires huge space was proved wrong by a dedicated Harmohan Singh Sethi, whose garden is on a winning spree in the Rose Festival over the past few years, barring last year when he didn’t participate.
Out of all things, why gardening, comes the obvious question. “Both me and my wife, Avinash Sethi were the only ones in the family who were inclined towards gardening and inherited it from our grandparents”, reveals Sethi. Starting about 5 years back with palm trees, today Sethi has more than a hundred pots with seasonal and regular plants, flowers and her latest fancy is nothing less than the tiny old bonsais’.
Lush-green carpet grass with chuckling red and gold flowers and a shining pebble around a palm tree wipes every tear that flows out from a depressing heart as and when you come across Harmohan Singh Sethi's garden, who is still actively practicing at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. .
As Sethi switches on the high-wattage halogen bulb for allowing the light to flood the garden late in the evening, you realise if heaven has a place on earth, here it is.
The whiff of freshness emanating from so many marigolds bordering the flower beds full of salvias and geraniums, along with dahlias and roses, is enough to sooth even the tired nerves.
As you stand there looking at the Junipers--the desert shrub of Syria and Arabia--with tiny white flowers and zebras along the walls shrouded in the pleasures of ivy, you realise that the garden has been nurtured from the sweat of the brow.
Sethi says he and his wife Avinash Sethi have been bringing up the garden just like their own kids. “There is no substitute for personal attention. We have a dedicated and hardworking gardener, who smiles along with the grinning flowers. But that does not mean we can take it easy”.
You may find it incredible but Sethi says they spend good two to three hours daily taking care of each and every flower, along with the evergreens. For, the flowers bring bloom to their lives. The couple tills and ploughs with constant nurturing and caring, spending every evening among the blooms. “We have got flood lights installed so that we can enjoy the garden any time of the day. The little landscape is complete with pansies, orchids and cactus. “About 3 hours a day is what that is required to have a maintained garden”, says Avinash Sethi.
“We relax here,” the lady is quick to add that the gardener adds the extra touch. “I instruct the gardeners and make a schedule for the month. Here, there’s a mix of carefully planned blossoms, creepers, seasonal and ever-green plantations”, she adds.
The couple believes in reproducing their own plants from the stored seeds rather buying new plants. “We never buy plants rather we reproduce them. The couple who love to holiday took the concept of a landscape garden from England and mushroom from United States and further applied here at our garden.
The guest that comes to their residence calls the garden a land of heaven and they have come here to enjoy the bliss of nature.
Mention a sprawling lawn with neatly carved flowerbeds and unique garden accessories in the corners and we know the Sethi’s in Sector 21 are being referred to. Whoever thought that gardening requires huge space was proved wrong by a dedicated Harmohan Singh Sethi, whose garden is on a winning spree in the Rose Festival over the past few years, barring last year when he didn’t participate.
Out of all things, why gardening, comes the obvious question. “Both me and my wife, Avinash Sethi were the only ones in the family who were inclined towards gardening and inherited it from our grandparents”, reveals Sethi. Starting about 5 years back with palm trees, today Sethi has more than a hundred pots with seasonal and regular plants, flowers and her latest fancy is nothing less than the tiny old bonsais’.
Lush-green carpet grass with chuckling red and gold flowers and a shining pebble around a palm tree wipes every tear that flows out from a depressing heart as and when you come across Harmohan Singh Sethi's garden, who is still actively practicing at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. .
As Sethi switches on the high-wattage halogen bulb for allowing the light to flood the garden late in the evening, you realise if heaven has a place on earth, here it is.
The whiff of freshness emanating from so many marigolds bordering the flower beds full of salvias and geraniums, along with dahlias and roses, is enough to sooth even the tired nerves.
As you stand there looking at the Junipers--the desert shrub of Syria and Arabia--with tiny white flowers and zebras along the walls shrouded in the pleasures of ivy, you realise that the garden has been nurtured from the sweat of the brow.
Sethi says he and his wife Avinash Sethi have been bringing up the garden just like their own kids. “There is no substitute for personal attention. We have a dedicated and hardworking gardener, who smiles along with the grinning flowers. But that does not mean we can take it easy”.
You may find it incredible but Sethi says they spend good two to three hours daily taking care of each and every flower, along with the evergreens. For, the flowers bring bloom to their lives. The couple tills and ploughs with constant nurturing and caring, spending every evening among the blooms. “We have got flood lights installed so that we can enjoy the garden any time of the day. The little landscape is complete with pansies, orchids and cactus. “About 3 hours a day is what that is required to have a maintained garden”, says Avinash Sethi.
“We relax here,” the lady is quick to add that the gardener adds the extra touch. “I instruct the gardeners and make a schedule for the month. Here, there’s a mix of carefully planned blossoms, creepers, seasonal and ever-green plantations”, she adds.
The couple believes in reproducing their own plants from the stored seeds rather buying new plants. “We never buy plants rather we reproduce them. The couple who love to holiday took the concept of a landscape garden from England and mushroom from United States and further applied here at our garden.
The guest that comes to their residence calls the garden a land of heaven and they have come here to enjoy the bliss of nature.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Cactus Garden
Do you know there are over 6,000 species of cacti in the world and Panchkula alone has over 3,500 species?
Well, we too were amazed to see as many as 3500 varieties of cacti, 450 species from all over the world, 57 plants families and more than 1000 species including umbrella at the National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre, situated in Sector 5, Panchkula.
Not many may know that the Cactus Garden is Asia’s biggest garden devoted to rare and endangered species of Indian succulents, which was named after its founder Dr J S Sarkaria. The love of these people is evident from the number of plants they own.
The garden is a sprawling seven-and-a-half acres expanse of greens, and was established while Dr Sarkaria, the founder of the Cactus Garden, himself a connosieur of cactii, was trying to dispose off his personal collection owing to ill health. It was then that HUDA offered to allot him land for setting up the garden, and besides infrastructural support, is also providing monetary aid for maintenance of the garden. Other than the indigenous varieties of Caralluma Sarkariae and Caralluma Bhupindrian created by Dr Sarkaria, almost all known varieties of Caralluma, and over 70 percent of the varieties of Haworthias and Genus Mamammillaria are represented in this unique garden.
The ‘National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre’ which is formerly called Cactus Garden, was setup in 1987, as a result of the vision and hard work of Dr J S Sarkaria. The main objective behind the establishment of the garden was the preservation and conservation of endangered species of cacti and succulents, some of which are used in traditional Indian healing systems of Ayurveda and Unani.
This section Cactus is a tribute to Dr JS Sarkaria, who worked with extraordinary diligence and with exceptional love for these much despised plants. The garden has four glass houses, four Botanical centres, two preparation of glass centres, three green houses for public display.
It has the world’s largest collection of Indian succulents, including the species belonging to the extremely rare Genus Caralluma family and also number of international cacti donors from United Kingdom, United States of America, Austria and Namibia.
Another major motive was to create a tourist attraction, where the general public could get a glimpse of the fine collection of rare and exotic cactus plants, looked after a team of 17 gardeners, and headed by one head gardener.
The garden has comprehensive collection of Indian succulents, the largest in the world, some of them extremely rare and has already been declared as endangered species, which includes complete collection of Genus Caralluma of Indian origin, Mammillaria Geminispina, Mammillaria nivosa, Echinocactus ingens, Echinocactus grusonii, Pachycereus pringlei, Mammillaria.
The cacti and succulents also have medical values. Indian succulents are being used in Ayurveda and Unani medicines for centuries. It is a great source of attraction for not only tourists but also for botanists, with over a hundred visitors visit the garden.
Cultivating cacti is not very cumbersome but one has to have endless patience. Why? A cactus needs eight months to develop from a seed, six months from a graft and some eight to ten years to mature and flower. Species like the Echinocactus Grusonii takes 35 years to flower. The barrel- shaped cactus is full of thorns and is fondly known as a mother-in-laws-cushion and it belongs to a class that grows tall and robust. But not all cacti grow tall, some attain the maximum height of just 10 cm and are known as bonsai cactus, like the Gymnocaycium class and Crasula Mermiana which are small and difficult to grow.
And if you think that growing a cactus is a thorny experience then Namlaria Plmosa, which has no thorns and comes with a top that looks like net, will change the way you think. But what catches the eye is the Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii that is made by grafting a regular cactus stem with a colourless flower lacking chlorophyll. The Japanese have added colour to it by passing gamma rays.
Cactus is always associated with dry deserts and growing them in a place like Panchkula is challenging. Every cactus is special and rare and just like we understand plants they understand us. He assures their proper growth by using porous soil that is required for growing cactus and protects the softer species by keeping them in the two green houses that are warm.
Can be highlighted:
The wide variety of cacti on display at Cactus Garden is enough to make one fall in love with these exotic plants
Well, we too were amazed to see as many as 3500 varieties of cacti, 450 species from all over the world, 57 plants families and more than 1000 species including umbrella at the National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre, situated in Sector 5, Panchkula.
Not many may know that the Cactus Garden is Asia’s biggest garden devoted to rare and endangered species of Indian succulents, which was named after its founder Dr J S Sarkaria. The love of these people is evident from the number of plants they own.
The garden is a sprawling seven-and-a-half acres expanse of greens, and was established while Dr Sarkaria, the founder of the Cactus Garden, himself a connosieur of cactii, was trying to dispose off his personal collection owing to ill health. It was then that HUDA offered to allot him land for setting up the garden, and besides infrastructural support, is also providing monetary aid for maintenance of the garden. Other than the indigenous varieties of Caralluma Sarkariae and Caralluma Bhupindrian created by Dr Sarkaria, almost all known varieties of Caralluma, and over 70 percent of the varieties of Haworthias and Genus Mamammillaria are represented in this unique garden.
The ‘National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre’ which is formerly called Cactus Garden, was setup in 1987, as a result of the vision and hard work of Dr J S Sarkaria. The main objective behind the establishment of the garden was the preservation and conservation of endangered species of cacti and succulents, some of which are used in traditional Indian healing systems of Ayurveda and Unani.
This section Cactus is a tribute to Dr JS Sarkaria, who worked with extraordinary diligence and with exceptional love for these much despised plants. The garden has four glass houses, four Botanical centres, two preparation of glass centres, three green houses for public display.
It has the world’s largest collection of Indian succulents, including the species belonging to the extremely rare Genus Caralluma family and also number of international cacti donors from United Kingdom, United States of America, Austria and Namibia.
Another major motive was to create a tourist attraction, where the general public could get a glimpse of the fine collection of rare and exotic cactus plants, looked after a team of 17 gardeners, and headed by one head gardener.
The garden has comprehensive collection of Indian succulents, the largest in the world, some of them extremely rare and has already been declared as endangered species, which includes complete collection of Genus Caralluma of Indian origin, Mammillaria Geminispina, Mammillaria nivosa, Echinocactus ingens, Echinocactus grusonii, Pachycereus pringlei, Mammillaria.
The cacti and succulents also have medical values. Indian succulents are being used in Ayurveda and Unani medicines for centuries. It is a great source of attraction for not only tourists but also for botanists, with over a hundred visitors visit the garden.
Cultivating cacti is not very cumbersome but one has to have endless patience. Why? A cactus needs eight months to develop from a seed, six months from a graft and some eight to ten years to mature and flower. Species like the Echinocactus Grusonii takes 35 years to flower. The barrel- shaped cactus is full of thorns and is fondly known as a mother-in-laws-cushion and it belongs to a class that grows tall and robust. But not all cacti grow tall, some attain the maximum height of just 10 cm and are known as bonsai cactus, like the Gymnocaycium class and Crasula Mermiana which are small and difficult to grow.
And if you think that growing a cactus is a thorny experience then Namlaria Plmosa, which has no thorns and comes with a top that looks like net, will change the way you think. But what catches the eye is the Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii that is made by grafting a regular cactus stem with a colourless flower lacking chlorophyll. The Japanese have added colour to it by passing gamma rays.
Cactus is always associated with dry deserts and growing them in a place like Panchkula is challenging. Every cactus is special and rare and just like we understand plants they understand us. He assures their proper growth by using porous soil that is required for growing cactus and protects the softer species by keeping them in the two green houses that are warm.
Can be highlighted:
The wide variety of cacti on display at Cactus Garden is enough to make one fall in love with these exotic plants
THE GURUKUL, a heaven on earth
By means to serve as ways for students to study nature, to learn work habits and a necessity tool for outdoor science and environmental education, the trend of maintaining gardens with the school premises began to appear in the early 1900s. Although gardens have been a part of schools since then, growing emphasis on hands-on learning and active participation has encouraged more schools to add gardens in all shapes and sizes to their school yards.
Green playgrounds often create a center of attention and children reportedly able to do more things in greener playgrounds, making their play period more refreshing and also increase their attention performance.
Lush-green carpet grass gently rising towards a side taking the experience of gardening to all new heights; with a star of shining pebbles around a palm tree for making even the tired eyes twinkle with joy, is what you witness the moment you enter THE GURUKUL, Sector 20. The school was placed in the category for the best maintained garden on its campus for the ninth consecutive year in the recent ‘Spring Fest-09’, the annual flower festival of Panchkula, organised by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).
Considering the garden just as kids in school, the principal of THE GURUKUL, Harsimran Kaur says , “ The school management have been bringing up the garden just like their own kids. “There is no substitute for personal attention. We have a dedicated and hardworking team of gardener, under the supervision of the Horticulture Department under a head, Vandana, who smiles along with the grinning flowers.
You may find it incredible but they spend good two to three hours daily taking care of each and every flower, along with the evergreens. For, the flowers bring bloom to their lives, she adds Harsimram Kaur, who backs up with the fact that the school has been winning the best maintained gardens ever since the school came into existence.
Describing, what special the team does to maintain the gardens, Harsimran’s team has no extraordinary ways to make the gardens looks as beautiful as a paradise, apart from a unique vision of Sanjay Thareja, the director of the school.. Calling it, a Bird of Paradise, the animals shaped plants have different selected messages written of them, “Don’t touch, it Hurts”.
But Why Have a Garden?
If your answer to this question is along the lines of "I want to have a big party this Memorial Day to kick off the summer garden season", we wish you well, but you're taking a path that we know from our experience will end with your having a garden that is... ...just another pretty face.
But be sure you have a clear idea of what makes your heart sing. This will not only help make your decisions about your garden and garden decor much easier, it will ensure that you’ll always be happy with those gardening choices. For your help, we have some innovative ideas to find a path to your Unique Garden Style. It will give you a thorough understanding of what you’ll need to create your ideal garden.
Large Scale Home Garden Projects... .involve landscaping the major portion of a property or perhaps constructing design elements with building materials. For those of you whose vision of their ideal garden encompasses our proven gardening system will walk you through simple steps that will make your major garden project a joy to experience. Small to Medium Scale Garden Projects.....include those that basically have flowers beds and/or a vegetable garden, with some trees and shrubs and garden decor. For those of you who have these elements in mind, its better you create … … a garden of your very own.
When to water depends to a great extent on what part of the city you live in, the kind of plants you grow and the time of year. In summer, it is best to water plants early in the morning, as this will keep them damp during the hot part of the day. This applies especially to newly planted bedding plants and vegetables, which may need to be watered again in the afternoon if the weather is hot — and in very hot, dry weather may even need watering at midday as well to keep them from flagging. The watering time is not so important for well-established trees and shrubs, but if you water at midday a lot of the moisture will be lost from evaporation.
Late afternoon watering is not always advisable: certain plants, such as roses, dahlias and tomatoes, are prone to mildew; a fungus disease which is encouraged if the foliage of the plants is damp in the evening. Plants which need a high humidity in summer, such as fuchsias, azaleas and ferns, will benefit from having their foliage lightly sprinkled at midday if the weather is very hot and dry, particularly in the winter rainfall regions and other areas which have dry summer conditions.
In winter, the watering pattern tends to change. In frost-free regions, morning watering is still probably the best, but in colder areas where frost is a problem it is better to wait until the damp soil has dried out a little and conditions are warmer. Plants with soft, new leaves (such as bedding plants and vegetables) should not be watered late in the afternoon as the drops of water on the foliage could turn to ice during the night and cause a great deal of damage. So in the colder regions, it is best to water the garden between early and mid-morning during the winter months.
Green playgrounds often create a center of attention and children reportedly able to do more things in greener playgrounds, making their play period more refreshing and also increase their attention performance.
Lush-green carpet grass gently rising towards a side taking the experience of gardening to all new heights; with a star of shining pebbles around a palm tree for making even the tired eyes twinkle with joy, is what you witness the moment you enter THE GURUKUL, Sector 20. The school was placed in the category for the best maintained garden on its campus for the ninth consecutive year in the recent ‘Spring Fest-09’, the annual flower festival of Panchkula, organised by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).
Considering the garden just as kids in school, the principal of THE GURUKUL, Harsimran Kaur says , “ The school management have been bringing up the garden just like their own kids. “There is no substitute for personal attention. We have a dedicated and hardworking team of gardener, under the supervision of the Horticulture Department under a head, Vandana, who smiles along with the grinning flowers.
You may find it incredible but they spend good two to three hours daily taking care of each and every flower, along with the evergreens. For, the flowers bring bloom to their lives, she adds Harsimram Kaur, who backs up with the fact that the school has been winning the best maintained gardens ever since the school came into existence.
Describing, what special the team does to maintain the gardens, Harsimran’s team has no extraordinary ways to make the gardens looks as beautiful as a paradise, apart from a unique vision of Sanjay Thareja, the director of the school.. Calling it, a Bird of Paradise, the animals shaped plants have different selected messages written of them, “Don’t touch, it Hurts”.
But Why Have a Garden?
If your answer to this question is along the lines of "I want to have a big party this Memorial Day to kick off the summer garden season", we wish you well, but you're taking a path that we know from our experience will end with your having a garden that is... ...just another pretty face.
But be sure you have a clear idea of what makes your heart sing. This will not only help make your decisions about your garden and garden decor much easier, it will ensure that you’ll always be happy with those gardening choices. For your help, we have some innovative ideas to find a path to your Unique Garden Style. It will give you a thorough understanding of what you’ll need to create your ideal garden.
Large Scale Home Garden Projects... .involve landscaping the major portion of a property or perhaps constructing design elements with building materials. For those of you whose vision of their ideal garden encompasses our proven gardening system will walk you through simple steps that will make your major garden project a joy to experience. Small to Medium Scale Garden Projects.....include those that basically have flowers beds and/or a vegetable garden, with some trees and shrubs and garden decor. For those of you who have these elements in mind, its better you create … … a garden of your very own.
When to water depends to a great extent on what part of the city you live in, the kind of plants you grow and the time of year. In summer, it is best to water plants early in the morning, as this will keep them damp during the hot part of the day. This applies especially to newly planted bedding plants and vegetables, which may need to be watered again in the afternoon if the weather is hot — and in very hot, dry weather may even need watering at midday as well to keep them from flagging. The watering time is not so important for well-established trees and shrubs, but if you water at midday a lot of the moisture will be lost from evaporation.
Late afternoon watering is not always advisable: certain plants, such as roses, dahlias and tomatoes, are prone to mildew; a fungus disease which is encouraged if the foliage of the plants is damp in the evening. Plants which need a high humidity in summer, such as fuchsias, azaleas and ferns, will benefit from having their foliage lightly sprinkled at midday if the weather is very hot and dry, particularly in the winter rainfall regions and other areas which have dry summer conditions.
In winter, the watering pattern tends to change. In frost-free regions, morning watering is still probably the best, but in colder areas where frost is a problem it is better to wait until the damp soil has dried out a little and conditions are warmer. Plants with soft, new leaves (such as bedding plants and vegetables) should not be watered late in the afternoon as the drops of water on the foliage could turn to ice during the night and cause a great deal of damage. So in the colder regions, it is best to water the garden between early and mid-morning during the winter months.
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